Rum Bunter
FanSided

Every Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect who can hit 100 MPH

Even in today's era of baseball where velocities are through the roof, 100+ MPH is always a fun sight to see. With a pitching-rich system, the Pirates definitely have a handful of prospects right now who can hit triple-digits.
ByNoah Wright|
All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game | Richard Rodriguez/GettyImages

Fastball velocity has consistently climbed throughout the years. When pitch tracking first began in 2008, average fastball velocity clocked in at just 90.7 MPH. In 2025, the average fastball velocity is 93.9 MPH, with over 600 pitchers throwing a fastball faster than the 2008 average velocity (with at least five innings pitched). But hitting 100 MPH still seems like an outlier, even if it’s becoming less rare every season.

It’s no surprise that, with how stacked the Pittsburgh Pirates’ system is when it comes to pitching, they have some very hard-throwing youngsters throughout the minor leagues. While some sit mid-to-upper-90s, others can hit 100 MPH already, well before reaching the majors (and the advanced tech MLB teams have access to). Let's take a glance at every Pirates prospect who can reach triple-digits.

Every Pirates pitching prospect who can already throw 100 MPH

Bubba Chandler

Bubba Chandler was the Pirates’ third-round pick in 2021, and has since ascended as a top 10 prospect in baseball. Chandler had the best season of his career in 2024, and has only looked better this year at Triple-A Indianapolis. His four-seam fastball is a major reason for that. The right-hander averaged 96.8 MPH in 2024, but is now averaging 98.2 MPH with five 100+ MPH fastballs thrown. He has maxed out at 101.5 MPH so far this season.

Wilber Dotel

Wilber Dotel had one of the largest jumps in velocity between 2023 and 2024. According to Baseball America, Dotel’s fastball averaged just 92.7 MPH in ‘23, but saw a 3.1 MPH uptick to 95.8 MPH the next year, which was the third-highest jump across all of Minor League Baseball. Dotel was able top top out in the triple-digits as well.

David Matoma

David Matmoa hails from Uganda, a country with a growing presence in the international baseball market. Matoma is the first Ugandan-born player to play in affiliated ball. The right-hander sure has the potential to be a future late-inning arm. Matoma throws upper-90s, and hit 100+ MPH in during his time in the Florida Complex League. Matoma made his A-Ball debut this season, and averaged 98.1 MPH with his four-seamer and 96.7 MPH with his sinker. His fastest pitch in his debut was clocked at 99.2 MPH.

Antwone Kelly

Antwone Kelly has gotten a ton of attention recently. Not only is he doing well at High-A Greensboro, but he’s now doing it with elite velocity. Kelly has gained about four ticks of velocity from last season. Now, he is hitting 100 MPH without walking a ton of batters.

Carlos Mateo

Carlos Mateo is the definition of extremes. The Pirates signed him out of the Dominican Republic in January 2023. So far, he has walked 65 batters in just 35 innings pitched. Although Mateo hasn’t yet flashed the potential to locate at even a below-average level, there’s no doubt he has an electric arm. He typically sits 95-98 MPH, but has hit 100 MPH before as well.

Gavin Adams

Gavin Adams was drafted by the Pirates in the eighth round of the 2024 draft. The relief pitching prospect from Florida State University topped out at 100-101 MPH. Unfortunately, Adams won’t be back until late into the 2025 season. The flamethrower underwent Tommy John surgery before he was even able to take the mound for FSU last season. Hopefully he can still hit 100+ upon his return.

Home/Pirates Prospects