Aroldis Chapman Brings Heat In Texas Rangers Debut

The Texas Rangers wanted Aroldis Chapman for his fastball and strikeouts and he brought both in a one-inning appearance on Sunday.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — Aroldis Chapman made his Texas Rangers on Sunday, which means All-Star catcher Jonah Heim got to catch the veteran closer for the first time.

His assessment?

“It was impressive,” Heim said after the Rangers’ 5-3 loss to the Houston Astros. “I need to get a little more padding in my glove.”

Yes, Chapman brings the heat, as advertised.

He entered the game in the seventh inning with the scored tied at 1-1. His first pitch to Astros outfielder Chas McCormick was a 97-mph two-seam fastball that McCormick fouled off. His bat speed, combined with Chapman’s powerful fastball, nearly sent the ball into the press box at the top of Globe Life Field.

He struck out McCormick on a slider just under 90 mph.

Chapman was just getting warmed up.

He struck out Astros catcher Martin Maldonado on three pitches, the last two of which were sinkers that came in at 100 and 101 mph.

He couldn’t get Jose Altuve out, as Chapman gave up a single. Despite Chapman’s pure speed, Altuve has a good history against him, as he’s now 5-for-8.

Alex Bregman grounded out to end the inning. Five of the six pitches Bregman faced were fastballs better than 97 mph.

Chapman doesn’t always have to hit three digits to be effective, according to Heim.

“His delivery, it’s different,” Heim said. “It’s slow, slow, slow and then it’s 100. So it’s good deception.”

For his first appearance, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy chose a high-leverage situation and used him in much the same way the Kansas City Royals had before the trade — as a one-inning set-up man.

Bochy liked what he saw on Sunday. Yes, the other pieces of the bullpen didn’t work, as the other relievers used gave up all five runs.

But he stands by what he said about Chapman when the Rangers acquired him on Friday.

“(The trade) made us a better bullpen,” Bochy said. “It gives us another weapon down there. You saw the stuff, you saw the man, you know how he competed out there. That was an area we were looking to improve in and we did that. He did his job. He put up a zero.”

More From SI’s Inside The Rangers:

1. Texas Rangers New Nike City Connect Jersey Pay Homage to Dallas-Fort Worth
2. No Pride in Texas, Rangers Lone Team Without Pride Night
3. Watch: Eva Longoria Wins Over Texas Rangers Fans With First Pitch
4. Texas Rangers in Play to Sing Shohei Ohtani
5. Arlington Mayor Says Rougned Odor ‘Punch’ Mural to Stay
6. Texas Rangers Clubhouse ‘Insane’ Says Reliever
7. MLB, Texas Rangers Win Bally Sports Broadcast Suit
8. AL West is ‘Ours,’ Not Astros Says Texas Rangers First Baseman
9. Former Texas Rangers Favorite Derek Holland Comeback Ends
10. Bally Sports Southwest to Televise Nearly All Rangers Games

---

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.