Luis Castillo’s Sinker and the Nastiest Pitches from 7/15

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 Third 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.

 

Luis Castillo’s Sinker

 

https://gfycat.com/thirstypoliteankolewatusi

Luis Castillo continued lobbying for the NL Cy Young Award again on Monday, striking out 10 Cubs en route to 6-3 Reds win. Castillo’s ERA sits at a sparkling 2.41 now, with a career-high 10.67 K/9. The 26 year-old just made his first All-Star team, and should be adding some more accolades to this spectacular breakout season if he continues pitching like this.

 

 

Luke Jackson’s Curveball

 

https://gfycat.com/mixedillfatediberianemeraldlizard

The former Texas Ranger Luke Jackson has had an excellent season for the Braves as their closer, saving his 17th game on Monday with a perfect, 2 K frame. He now sports a 2.87 ERA and a 12.25 K/9, both of which are career best marks. Jackson has bounced between the minors and majors quite a bit over his five major league seasons, but he appears to have firmly entrenched himself at the Major League level with this breakout campaign.

 

Blake Snell’s Changeup

 

https://gfycat.com/cheeryhighlevelgazelle

To say that 2019 hasn’t gone the way Blake Snell was hoping for would be a gross understatement, as his ERA has jumped over two and a half full runs from last season and his H/9 has jumped up by almost 3. Despite their ace faltering though, the Rays continue to be one of the best teams in baseball, and they’ll be a certifiable behemoth if Snell can bounce back even close to his 2018 self.

 

Kyle Hendricks‘ Curveball

 

https://gfycat.com/nervousmajorcockroach

Usually it’s Kyle Hendricks‘ changeup we’re touting here, but today it was this slow, looping bender that caught our eye. Derek Dietrich didn’t have a chance here, as the 29 year-old ace lowered his season ERA to 3.46, allowing 2 ER and striking out 5 before the Cubs bullpen threw the game away. That his 3.49 ERA marks the worst mark he’s had in the stat since 2015 says a lot about how spectacular of a pitcher Kyle Hendricks is.

 

Trevor Rosenthal’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/silkysplendidaardwolf

The first of two pitchers on this list making their debuts with teams on Monday, Trevor Rosenthal picked up a pair of strikeouts cleaning up the last inning for the Tigers after putting up one of the most abysmal 12 games you’ll ever see as a member of the Nationals. Hopefully though, his 22.74 ERA in Washington is behind him, and we can see more of the vintage Rosenthal who posted a 2.99 ERA and saved 121 games between 2012 and 2017.

 

Casey Sadler’s Curveball

 

https://gfycat.com/regularacademicbirdofparadise

Making his debut in a Dodgers uniform after being traded, Casey Sadler proceeded to allow one of the two runs the Dodgers allowed in an obliteration of the Phillies. The 29 year-old reliever had a solid start to the season with the Rays though, posting a 1.86 ERA over 19 innings of work.

 

Which Pitch Was Nastier?

 

Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Third Quarter Contest.

 

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