Aroldis Chapman's Miraculous Transformation from Super-Myth to Super-Human

The Cincinnati Reds signed a 21-year-old Cuban defector named Aroldis Chapman during the winter of 2010 for an astounding $30.25 million, 6-year contract.  

When Chapman was called up to the big club late that season, he proceeded to set a couple of amazing, but not so relevant, records.

In September of 2010, The Cuban Missile launched a pitch that ranks in myth with the likes of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.  The pitch was clocked at nearly 106 mph—the fastest pitch ever recorded.  At one point, he also tossed 25 consecutive pitches of 100 mph or more.

Chapman ended his rookie campaign with a 2.03 ERA, 13.1 IP, and a 5/19 BB/K ratio.  When he entered the 2011 season, there was an enormous amount of pressure for him to continue his myth-like persona.  It was in trying to do so, that the Missile control center went down.  

Aroldis began over throwing, lost his control, became fatigued, and eventually lost his confidence and his myth-like status.  He would end the season with a respectable, but very human-like, 3.60 ERA.  Toss in the 41 bases on balls in only 50 innings pitched and it begins to look more gopher-like.

Thus, began the transformation.  Chapman was told he needed to prepare to be a starter for the 2012 season—and prepare he did.

After out-pitching all Reds players throughout Spring Training, a freak injury to Ryan Madson forced Chappy back to the bullpen where he has dominated.  His current pitching line reads; 0.00 ERA, 11.1 IP, 4 H, and a 2/20 BB/K ratio.  Now, that looks pretty super-human.  So, what has changed for the long-linky-lefthander?

Aroldis Chapman has learned how to pitch—plain and simple.  He is no longer a gun-slinger.  He no longer tries to burn up the radar guns with 105 mph fastballs.  

Chapman has learned to be consistent with his fastball, staying between 96-99 mph, and to complement it with his devastating slider at 86-89 mph.  He has sped up his delivery and time between pitches, knowing what he wants to do with the ball ahead of time.  

The most super-human quality he posses this year, though, is his confidence.  He walks, he pitches, and he looks as though he knows he is un-hit-able.  Right now Aroldis Chapman is un-hit-able, and he's pitching like the best pitcher in baseball.

Right now, Aroldis Chapman is super-human.