In an early spring training game, Tampa Bay Rays prospect Jake Cronenworth was hit by an Aroldis Chapman fastball. As one would expect, taking a fastball from the hardest thrower in MLB history will naturally leave a mark. How much of a mark?
A picture says 1,000 words.
Getting hit by Aroldis Chapman in the ribs leaves a mark. pic.twitter.com/RaAQ9TTdSe
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 28, 2018
Ouch.
It actually resembles a crater more than a bruise.
We really have to give Cronenworth credit for standing up after that. It would be so easy to spend literally the rest of spring training in a tub with that kind of mark on the body. But he soldiered on.
Still, hitters may want to take a look at this before crowding the plate against Chapman.