This St. Louis Cardinals pitcher threw the fastest pitch in MLB in 2022

St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley threw the fastest pitch in MLB in 2022 as he continues his breakout season.

In the eighth inning of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley struck out Ketel Marte with a 103.1 mph fastball.

It just so happened to be the fastest pitch thrown in Major League Baseball this season, according to Bally Sports.

It’s just the latest accolade in what has been a dominant start for Helsley, 27, who has been the key piece in a strong start to the Cardinals’ bullpen. In seven appearances, Helsley has recorded one save, posted a 0.00 ERA and a 16/0 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 8.1 innings. He’s allowed only one baserunner. Just a reminder: it’s May.

Pretty, pretty good.

Helsley is now in the conversation for the best reliever in baseball. There are some theories that his fastball velocity is up because he’s using it less – he’s throwing his cutter 43 percent this season, up from 35 percent in 2021 – and the results have been devastating for opposing offenses. He’s been flat-out dominant and it appears that this version of Helsley is here to stay.

The key for Helsley, of course, is to stay healthy. He has thrown no more than 47.1 innings in his career and his innings pitched per season goes as follows: 36.2 IP in 2019; 12 IP in 2020; 47.1 IP in 2021.

But what has stood out the most on the right-hander so far is his control, as walks were an issue for him last season. Helsley walked 27 batters while striking out only 47 last season, a 1.74 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

The Cardinals believe that this version of Helsley is here to stay. If it is, and he can consistently control his 100+ mph velocity, won’t just be their best reliever, but one of the best relievers in baseball.