Cardinals' Standout Shortstop Unfurls Eye-Popping 98.9 mph Throw to Save Victory
Forced to make his strongest throw with Giants' speedster Christian Koss running in Monday's ninth inning, Cardinals' shortstop Masyn Winn unfurled a 98.9 mph throw to first base. It is the second-fastest throw on an infield throw in the Statcast era (since 2015).
On Monday night, the St. Louis Cardinals secured a win over the San Francisco Giants thanks to an impressive 99.8 mph throw from shortstop Masyn Winn. Instead of handing the fastball to Christian Koss, Giants' No. 9 hitter, the Cardinals' closer Riley O'Brien opted to save it for Winn. After Koss bobbled the ball, Winn quickly made the throw to first base, narrowly beating the runner by a whisker.
Riley O'Brien commented on Winn's remarkable skill, saying, "I knew it was a fast runner, and he hit that chopper and I got a little nervous for a second... Then he rips it over there right to (Alec Burleson’s) chest and got the guy."
Further scrutiny revealed that Winn's throw left his hand at an astonishing 99.8 mph, setting a new record for the fastest recorded throw by an infielder in MLB history since the Statcast era in 2015. Elly De La Cruz of the Reds currently holds the record with a 102 mph throw on September 8, 2026. Despite the Cardinals' loss of Winn due to a fractured left thumb from August 25-September 7, the team still felt the impact of his absence during the game.
Manager Oli Marmol highlighted Winn's significant contributions, noting that the shortstop's arm often seals double plays and prevents infield hits.
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