Every Monday we review the nastiest pitches from the previous weekends’s games in glorious HD GIFs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pitch and check back this weekend to see if it will be in contention for the GIF of the First Half. Did we miss your favorite pitch? Send us a tweet next time @ThePitcherList and we’ll GIF it up + give you a shoutout here in the article.
Congrats to Corey Kluber’s Slider for winning Nastiest Pitching GIF of the Week! The pitch has taken the crown for two straight weeks. Should be fun pitting them against each other in the first half tournament.
Jake Junis’ Slider – If you’re not a Royals fan, you may not be aware of Junis, but his breaking ball certainly deserves your attention. Check out the late bite on the pitch as Kevin Pillar came up empty-handed as he chased the pitch out of the zone to end the second frame on Friday.
Luis Castillo’s At-Bat – Castillo got the call with little fanfare as he had to face the strong Nationals offense. While his overall control was questionable, his first at-bat of the day made a statement, gearing up his Fastballs steadily, going 98, 99, then 100mph before dropping a wipeout Slider to finish off Trea Turner. If he remains in the rotation through the year, expect plenty more GIFs.
Michael Fulmer’s Fastball – If you’ve followed these roundups you can tell we’re absolutely smitten with Fulmer’s Fastball. He’s getting a ton of ride on the pitch lately and earned a strikeout with a front-door heater at a blistering 98mph. That’s just not fair.
Seth Lugo’s Curveball – One of the most satisfying moments in baseball is watching a batter bail out of a pitch…only for it to end as a strike. Hunter Pence was the latest victim, falling to the ground as Lugo’s big hook curved into the zone for a called strike. Whoops. (Thanks to @John_Edwards_ for the tip!)
Luis Cessa’s Changeup – Cessa is currently slotted to take CC Sabathia’s spot in the Yankee rotation and he impressed with eight strikeouts over the weekend. This pitch to Robinson Chirnos was a major surprise to us as it featured elite fading action and earned a whiff against a right-handed bat. If he can command this pitch, Cessa could be a stable arm the Bombers need. (Thanks to Redditor TheBrimic for the tip!)
Yu Darvish’s Slider – Friday night’s matchup was spectacular in the Bronx as both Darvish and Tanaka performed at the top of their games. Darvish got the edge in the end, with help from his Slider that stands with the elite in the league. Just look at how badly Aaron Hicks misses this pitch. (Thanks to @ScazHero for the tip!)
Corey Kluber’s Fastball – Another start, another appearance in the roundup, but we can’t resist! Kluber is getting beautiful movement with all his pitches and this Fastball to back Jorge Polanco off the plate only to squeak over the inside corner is something we can all get behind.
Mike Montgomery’s Curveball – There isn’t anything particularly remarkable about this Curveball to Marcel Ozuna, but it’s sheer elegance as it loops from well off the plate to find its spot in the strikezone is pitching bliss. Expect plenty of these from Montgomery as he gets an extended time in the Cubs rotation. (Thanks to @Crewsett for the tip!)
GIF Of The Weekend
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Week Contest.
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