Mason Miller Just Threw the Fastest Pitch in Playoff History – And It Was Absolutely Filthy

What made this pitch even more absurd was the sequence leading up to it. Kelly had already fouled off an 89.6 mph slider and a 102.8 mph fastball. So Miller’s thought process was basically, “Oh, you can handle 102.8? Here, try this on for size.”

The man literally reached back and found another gear when he needed it most. That’s not just physical ability – that’s mental fortitude that borders on psychotic (in the best possible way for a closer).

Miller’s Playoff Dominance Goes Beyond Just Velocity

As if throwing the hardest pitch in playoff history wasn’t enough, Miller decided to make it a complete demolition job. He struck out eight consecutive batters to start his postseason career before finally hitting Michael Busch with a pitch in the eighth inning. That streak tied Josh Hader’s 2022 record for most consecutive strikeouts in the playoffs.

Eight straight Ks to begin your playoff career? That’s the kind of dominance that makes opposing hitters consider early retirement. When you’re facing a guy who can throw 104.5 mph with pinpoint control, suddenly that corporate job your college roommate offered doesn’t sound so bad.

The Numbers Don’t Lie – This Was Special

Let’s break down just how ridiculous this accomplishment really is:

• Fastest postseason pitch since 2008: 104.5 mph
• Fourth-fastest strikeout pitch ever recorded: Regular season or playoffs
• Miller’s career high velocity: Previous best was apparently child’s play
• Perfect location: Bottom corner strike zone

MLB researcher Sarah Langs noted that among all strikeout pitches recorded since 2008, Miller’s heater ranks fourth all-time. When you’re in the company of Chapman and other flame-throwers in baseball history, you know you’ve done something special.

Why This Matters for the Padres

The Padres didn’t acquire Miller at the trade deadline to be a feel-good story. They got him for exactly these moments – high-leverage playoff situations where you need someone who can shut the door with authority. Mission accomplished.

What makes Miller so dangerous isn’t just the velocity (though 104.5 mph certainly doesn’t hurt). It’s the combination of that ridiculous speed with legitimate control and the mental makeup to perform when it matters most. Any pitcher can throw hard in a spring training game. It takes a special kind of competitor to dial it up to 104.5 mph in a playoff elimination scenario.

The Cubs Never Stood a Chance

Seriously, what’s a hitter supposed to do when facing that kind of heat? Carson Kelly’s reaction said it all – he watched that pitch go by like it was a UFO. There’s no shame in that. When someone is throwing baseballs at speeds that defy physics, sometimes the best strategy is just to appreciate the show.

The Cubs came into this series hoping to pull off an upset, but they ran into a buzzsaw named Mason Miller. Sometimes in baseball, you tip your cap and acknowledge when you’ve been beaten by something truly special.

Miller’s performance wasn’t just about one pitch – though that 104.5 mph heater will be replayed for years to come. It was about a complete domination that reminded everyone why the Padres made that trade deadline deal.