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.
Mike Soroka’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/uglysimpleakitainu
Mike Soroka has been nothing short of incredible to start his major league career, sporting a 9-1 record to go with a sterling 2.13 ERA in 14 starts this season. Soroka has been a highly touted prospect for sure, but I don’t know if anyone expected him to explode onto the scene the way he has this year. The 21 (!) year-old righty has just one game this season allowing more than 3 ER and, without said game, his ERA would sit at a ridiculous 1.69. Fantasy owners, enjoy the ride.
Kirby Yates‘ Splitter
https://gfycat.com/uniformgroundedhypsilophodon
From one insane season to another: Kirby Yates is the proud owner of a 1.31 ERA and 14.7 K/9 as we head into June, having nailed down an NL-leading 27 saves for the 41-40 Padres. Yates was a very hyped name by many coming into 2019, and he’s more than delivered on the hype, looking like one of the absolute best relievers in baseball.
Ken Giles‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/finishedbravedrafthorse
Speaking of best relievers in baseball, Ken Giles has been just as if not more dominant than the aforementioned Yates, with a 1.29 ERA and 15.8 K/9, though just 12 saves for the awful, awful Blue Jays. What’s even more incredible is Giles’ 1.00 FIP, indicating that he’s even gotten unlucky so far this season.
Michael Lorenzen’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/caringthankfulgazelle
Turns out, everyone’s favourite Silver Slugger snub can pitch pretty darn well too. This ridiculous changeup aside, Michael Lorenzen has pitched to the tune of a 3.00 ERA for the Reds, while once again posting very good offensive numbers for a pitcher. With how Zack Wheeler is hitting, Lorenzen may be out of luck once again in Silver Slugger voting, though rumours of Wheeler being traded to the Yankees would improve Lorenzen’s chances.
Roberto Osuna’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/honorablefailingkookaburra
The man once traded for Giles has not enjoyed quite the success Giles has this year, as Roberto Osuna has posted a pathetic 2.18 ERA and .89 for the Astros, securing 17 saves. The change of scenery has been excellent for the young reliever, as the 24-year-old five-year vet has an impressive 2.10 ERA since being traded, against a (still impressive) 2.87 ERA further north.
Fernando Rodney’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/narrowelderlyjaguarundi
2019 has not been kind to Fernando Rodney. The 3x All-Star, who’s approximately 87 years old at this point, has a god-awful 8.27 ERA on the year, though has yet to allow a run in two games as a National. You’d have to imagine he’ll be hanging his cleats up before too long, but for what it’s worth, teams still seem more than willing to give him work, so who knows?
GIF of the Night
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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