Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through Spring Training 2021, the We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous few days’ 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!
Corbin Burnes‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/cleveroilyandalusianhorse
A revelation in 2020, young Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes has allayed any doubts about his ability to be an integral part of the rotation this spring with a number of stellar outings. Pitching around some early command issues, Burnes struck out 6 Dodgers batters and now sports an impressive 1.59 ERA over 11.1 innings in Florida. AJ Pollock was flattened by this wicked slider.
Adam Wainwright’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/diligentlegitimatedungenesscrab
Yesterday we saw another superb display of control and set-up pitching from the ageless Adam Wainwright, who completely baffled Nationals slugger Kyle Schwarber with this elite 85 mph cutter, which was placed perfectly high and inside for a strike. Wainwright has been sensational this spring and takes plenty of confidence into the regular season. He will be a key asset in the Cardinals rotation once again in 2021.
Corey Kluber’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/wildniftyasiantrumpetfish
From one wily veteran to another, and the question on every Yankees fan’s mind is just what will they see from the returning Corey Kluber this year. Barely pitching over the past 2 years could be either helpful or a recipe for disaster, but so far so good this spring as Kluber holds a 1.86 ERA through 3 starts and looked solid after 71 pitches in today’s outing against the Tigers. Harold Castro had no chance with this beautiful 85 mph changeup.
Tarik Skubal’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/CreamyBlackGilamonster
Blessed with the mechanics any starter would love, young lefty Tarik Skubal made a splash in 2020 with a number of impressive displays for a hapless Tigers team lacking any run support. Still, Skubal posted at least 6 strikeouts in 4 of his final 5 starts in September and showed he belongs in the big leagues. Here he is disposing of Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka with a lovely 83 mph slider.
Devin Williams‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/hastyseriousarabianhorse
Just imagine that Josh Hader didn’t exist in Milwaukee, and Devin Williams got to close games for them this season. Oh boy! Give me some of that. The “Airbender” was in devastatingly wonderful form against the Dodgers yesterday, striking out young Elliot Soto without a hope or prayer. That changeup, geez!
Chaz Roe’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/leftfemaleflyingsquirrel
More underappreciated reliever love here on Nastiest Pitches – this time for Rays middle reliever Chaz Roe, known for many a scary slider like this one to Maikel Franco.