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!
Trevor Bauer’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/pettyrecentdobermanpinscher
Trevor Bauer is now able to work all season with Driveline pitching guru Kyle Boddy now that he runs pitching for the Reds. Bauer has come out of the blocks hot in this weird baseball season and is a threat to strike out 12 batters every night. This slider to Keston Hiura is a little up in the zone, but the lateral movement is sharp and vast.
Blake Snell’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/serenealienatedirishterrier
The Rays are being careful Blake Snell as he is still working up his arm strength after his spring training injury and the COVID-19 layoff. Snell has been great in short bursts and was able to lead a combined Rays shutout of the Yankees. (h/t to PL+ member KingHippo.)
Chaz Roe’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/welllitshadyisopod
Chaz Roe’s slider is among the most GIFable pitches in baseball. The slow-motion shot shows the ridiculous turn the ball seemingly takes out of nowhere halfway down the path to the plate. Aaron Judge had no chance to make contact on this pitch.
Josh Staumont’s Two-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/wellinformedforthrightfinch
One pitch before this GIF, Staumont threw a similar fastball up and in and out of the zone to Byron Buxton. Staumont immediately showed discomfort and was visited by the athletic trainer. Staumont stayed in the game and his next pitch was this paint job at 101 MPH. A nasty comeback for Staumont.
Chad Kuhl’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/definitivecrispairedaleterrier
Chad Kuhl had both of his breaking balls working well last night against the Tigers. His slider was on point at 88 MPH as well as his hard curveball. This curve to Jonathan Schoop is a beauty as it breaks down and away just off the plate.
Michael Wacha’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/narrowparchedhackee
Michael Wacha was a typical Mets free agent signing. A veteran with seemingly little upside and a high potential for injury. So far, Wacha has actually been a quiet surprise for the Mets. This changeup looks just like a four-seam fastball before veering down and away off the plate.
Jonathan Hernandez’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/carelessboringlabradorretriever
Hernandez has gotten an opportunity in a faltering Angels bullpen to pitch in high leverage opportunities. If Hernandez keeps striking out the side he’ll be the Angels closer sooner rather than later. This sinker doesn’t move a ton, but at 98 MPH down in the zone, it doesn’t need to move much to throw hitters off. (h/t to PL+ member pj20.)
Humberto Mejia’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/majoredibleastarte
Humberto Mejia’s major league debut started wet and finished quickly, but was still a great success with 6 strikeouts in 2.1 IP. Mejia is another surprise in a particularly weird season for the Marlins from COVID-19 to first place in the division.
Lucas Sims‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/beautifulsandyamurminnow
Lucas Sims got the last 2 innings when the Reds had opened up an 8-1 lead on the Brewers. It looks like Sims may be getting some tips from Bauer on how to throw a slider with a lot of lateral break, because this pitch to Omar Narvaez
moves all the away across the zone. The foul tip makes it look like it moves even more, but it was a nasty pitch even without the foul tip subterfuge.
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=10590568]