NBA - Main

This post requires some MLB + physics + sports science knowledge to assess.

Looking at the absurd wingspan of Wemby (8'0"), and the photo of him gripping a baseball, we couldn't help but imagine, if he had the skill of Randy Johnson (6'10" wingspan), what speed could his fastball achieve?

Given:

1. the additional wingspan

2. equal strength (this is debatable, but for the sake of this hypothetical, let's assume)

3. the fact that he'd be releasing 1'2" (1.9%) closer to the mound than The Big Unit

Would MLB players be able to hit it?

According to GPT4, Wemby's torque would be 800 ft-lbs*, compared to Johnson's 684 ft-lbs.

This would, by percentage increase, amount to a 119mph fastball.

It does make the caveat, though, that "various biomechanical factors, air resistance, muscle utilization, and other physical constraints would likely prevent such a straightforward increase in pitch velocity."

This is where I wonder if any Redditors who are smarter than me in physics and/or sports science could please vet this number, and tell us whether the San Antonio Spurs have deprived us of the greatest pitcher in MLB history?

*Fun fact - 800 ft-lbs torque is equivalent to the force generated by this power drill. Victor Wembanyama is probably strong[citation needed]