Every morning, the We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious high-definition GIFs. We want to bring you the highest caliber of nastiness possible, so if you see a nasty pitch, please tell us about it. You can tweet @PitcherList to let us know and we’ll give you a shout-out here in the article if your tip makes the cut.
As a bonus for PL+ members, let us know about a pitch on the PL+ Discord in the Nasty Pitches Channel, and if your suggestion is included the next day, you’ll be entered into a weekly drawing for a free T-shirt!
Casey Mize’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/cleanthatgavial
As soon as you have checked out these pitches and voted for your favorite, you need to go and check out Nick Pollack’s 29-gif breakdown of Casey Mize’s debut. It is a thing of wonder, as is this 87 mph splitter that had more than just Tim Anderson fooled yesterday – Jose Abreu, Zack Collins, and Yoan Moncada all struck out to this strangely romantic nasty pitch.
Casey Mize’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/smoothdownrightbuffalo
This 88 mph cutter that Casey Mize blew past Yoan Moncada was deliciously high and tight. Mize had complete control of this pitch all night and consistently induced strikes at the top of the zone as he does here.
Dane Dunning’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/scarymildhawaiianmonkseal
Another top pitching prospect was going head to head with Casey Mize, Chicago White Sox #8 prospect Dane Dunning. Acquired from the Nationals as part of the Adam Eaton trade, the former 1st round pick was equally as impressive as Mize. Here is a nasty 82mph slider to strikeout Jorge Bonifacio. The slider is his primary offering and on this display, it will be fooling hitters for the next decade.
Jack Flaherty’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/decimalperfectatlanticblackgoby
The Cardinals pulled Jack Flaherty pretty early in this one after concerns due to the team missing so many games because of COVID-19. It didn’t stop us from getting a peek at that elite slider that is Flaherty’s signature pitch – here is an 85 mph jewel to Victor Caratini to punch him out.
Gerrit Cole’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/grosswhoppingborderterrier
Yes, I am amazed this isn’t his four-seam fastball making an appearance, and to be honest there were plenty of them I could have included. However, the sheer confidence of Gerrit Cole to go to the curveball here on a 3-2 count with two runners on and two outs when trailing by one is pure class – Kevin Kiermaier is set in stone by this 85 mph knuckle-curve with perfect placement on the inside corner.
Tyler Glasnow’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/oblongdistantbluebottlejellyfish
Watch and admire this straight-fire 99 mph heater from Tyler Glasnow to strikeout Gleyber Torres – an artist painting the corners!
Brad Keller’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/faintnegativegar
I am a huge fan of what Brad Keller has brought to the plate this year, and here is yet another example of his encouraging development when it comes to his offspeed stuff – a tasty 84 mph changeup that disappears below Shogo Akiyama’s bat.
Alec Mills‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/testywelcomeizuthrush
The true definition of a diamond in the rough after what was a pretty rough outing for Alec Mills. The promising righty has shown us why he has the type of stuff to be a successful starter for the Chicago Cubs – this gorgeous slow 76 mph slider catching the bottom corner to Dexter Fowler.
Trevor Bauer’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/generousenchanteddrafthorse
How could we leave him out? On the contrary, after a complete (7 inning) game shutout of the Kansas City Royals, he probably deserves to lead off this article. Trevor Bauer was prodigious last night, allowing only one hit as he struck out nine. This perfect 94 mph sinker guillotined Brett Phillips.
Aaron Civale’s Two-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/happyfortunateclownanemonefish
Ooh, I missed this one during my most-pleasant baseball-watching day but a big hat tip to PL+ member, tristall who quite rightly informed us of Aaron Civale’s ripping 93 mph two-seam fastball that starts way inside but shows plenty of shift to nestle inside the strike zone of Bryan Reynolds.
Pablo Lopez’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/thosescareddungenesscrab
After the Marlins COVID-19 hiatus early on in the season, I was chomping at the bit to watch Pablo Lopez. He has been phenomenal since returning and again went over 6 innings last night allowing just 2 runs with 5 strikeouts. What has become something to wonder at, here is his juicy 88 mph changeup to strikeout Amed Rosario. Again, hat tip to PL+ member, Matt Nielsen.
Jacob deGrom’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/shoddysentimentalgourami
Not to play second fiddle to Pablo, Jacob deGrom also went 6 innings and did not allow a run whilst striking out 7. This dastardly 91 mph changeup to Eddy Alvarez is just downright unfair.
Jesus Luzardo’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/everywellmadeamericanmarten
Speaking of unfair, what better way to bring us home than this sensational 97 mph sinker from Jesus Luzardo to Nick Ahmed. Now, good lucking deciding on who to vote for.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner may be featured in our Nastiest Pitches tournament midway through the season.
[polldaddy poll=10596176]
Edwin Diaz threw some truly nasty fastballs that painted the corner and one vicious slider that put most of your choices to shame. Rare miss my friend.
Thanks for the heads up, Gary! Love me some Edwin (when he is Edwin, of course, haha!), will check those out.