Mason Miller sets postseason record with 104.5 mph pitch

In the United States, Mason Miller, a relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres, made history on October 1, 2025, during the National League Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs. This historic event took place in Game 2 of the series at Wrigley Field where Miller reached a record-breaking pitch speed of 104.5 mph, the fastest in Major League Baseball postseason history since the implementation of Statcast in 2008. The pivotal pitch was delivered to Carson Kelly in the bottom of the seventh inning. Prior to this, Aroldis Chapman held the record at 104.2 mph. Miller, who is 6-foot-5 and from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, not only distinguished himself by achieving the record pitch speed but also had a productive outing overall, finishing the game with five strikeouts over 1 2/3 innings pitched. Earlier in the series, during his postseason debut in Game 1, Miller struck out all three batters he faced in the seventh inning, tying the postseason record for eight consecutive strikeouts held by Josh Hader since 2022. The performance of Miller and the bullpen was crucial as the Padres secured a 3-0 victory over the Cubs in Game 2, setting up a decisive third game in the best-of-three series. Padres manager Mike Shildt praised Miller's talent, expressing enthusiasm about the remarkable pitch speed. Miller's ability to throw consistently high velocities, including two other fast pitches measured at 102.1 mph and 102.7 mph, further highlighted his skill and potential impact in the postseason. Miller, who joined the Padres in a trade with the Oakland Athletics in July 2025, has quickly gained recognition in the league, also holding the record for the hardest pitch thrown in MLB All-Star Game history at 103.6 mph in 2024. With the playoffs in full swing, Miller's contributions are vital for the Padres' aspirations to advance further, as they prepare to face the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers should they win the series against the Cubs.