Every morning, we review the nastiest pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious high-definition 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 Quarter Contest. Did we miss your favorite pitch? Send us a tweet next time @PitcherList, and we’ll GIF it up and give you a shoutout here in the article.
Jake Arrieta’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/ClassicIckyJay
Jake Arrieta may only be having a so-so season thus far, but this changeup to Kyle Schwarber might just be the nastiest pitch I’ve seen all season. The poor, portly outfielder is left absolutely helpless as this pitch pretty much teleports down into the catchers glove. Falling off the table doesn’t even begin to describe this one.
Mike Soroka’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/BossyPossibleCoral
The young ace has had an absolutely blistering start to the season, with a jaw-dropping 1.01 ERA nearing the end of May. Here, Soroka perfectly places a filthy slider inside for one of his 7 K’s on the night.
Patrick Corbin’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/WideeyedFluidCockatoo
Regardless of how you feel about the massive contract the Nationals handed Patrick Corbin, there’s no denying that he’s absolutely playing like he deserves it right now. Sporting a 3.25 ERA and 8 quality starts in 10 outings, Corbin’s doing his best to lift the lowly Nationals out of their rut, sporting a 10.74 K/9 for good measure.
Aroldis Chapman’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/FarflungClearcutFlyinglemur
While not as heralded as his historically devastating fastball, Aroldis Chapman’s slider is a disgusting pitch in its’ own right. The ten year vet has a sparkling 1.93 ERA on the year, though his 14.46 K/9 is a bit lower than we’re used to seeing from him.
Mike Minor’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/ShockingPeacefulCoelacanth
Mike Minor and his 2.64 ERA are a Mike Major reason the Rangers are 2nd in the AL West and not rotting in the cellar like the team Minor fanned 11 against on Monday night. Ryon Healy got crossed up by this pitch in a big way, perhaps forgetting that Seattle doesn’t get its’ NHL team for a few more years.
Chris Paddack’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/MellowGlisteningGuineafowl
Chris Paddack’s burst onto the scene has been nothing short of phenomenal, and he has his best stuff on display over 6 frames of one run ball against the lowly Diamondbacks. Jarrod Dyson wasn’t even close on this pitch, swinging a good foot above it at least. I can’t say I blame him, but yikes.
Brad Brach’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/FickleSoulfulGrouper
Brad Brach has looked like his All-Star 2016 self so far this year for the Cubs, and this ridiculous changeup to elicit the kind of swing you see in your local adult softball league certainly evokes memories of Brach’s heyday in Baltimore.
(Note: Thanks to @chiblackhawks08 and @MikeCarr42 on Twitter for the tip on this one!)
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Second Quarter Contest.
[polldaddy poll=10324413]