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 Second 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.
Rich Hill’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/IndeliblePresentHornet
While striking out Daniel Robertson isn’t exactly a mean feat (he’s struck out in nearly a quarter of his plate appearances this season), Rich Hill does it in style, drawing a huge cut from the utility man with his devastating curveball that certainly ranks among the best in baseball. The Dodgers’ glass cannon ace has a 2.67 ERA through five starts this season and should continue to dominate as long as he can stay healthy.
Victor Alcantara’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/PartialFeistyAmericancurl
Acquired from the Angels in 2016 for Cameron Maybin, Victor Alcantara has shown nice flashes of potential at times throughout his early major league career. His 5.48 ERA on the season is rather ghastly, but at the very least, we got this gorgeous vanishing sinker en route to a Harold Ramirez strikeout Wednesday night.
Yoshihisa Hirano’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/GoldenPrestigiousAmericanwigeon
Yoshihisa Hirano’s season has been off to a rather poor start, but he showed great potential last season in his first year overseas. Manuel Margot has no chance at hitting this filthy split-finger pitch, which seemingly drops a mile at the last possible second.
Scott Barlow’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/DizzyPaleAmericansaddlebred
The 26-year-old relief pitcher has shown immense promise early in his career with a nasty four-pitch arsenal that he’s utilized to great effect through his first two seasons. His slider in particular has been an effective pitch for him on the year, and he uses it here to punch out six-time All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Scott Barlow is a name to watch going forward, and he could potentially push for closing duties on a putrid Royals team.
Frankie Montas‘ Splitter
https://gfycat.com/PeacefulSelfishIceblueredtopzebra
The splitter is a new pitch to Frankie Montas‘ arsenal, replacing his changeup from last season. The result has been a breakout start for the 26-year-old, posting a 2.40 ERA through his first ten starts of the year. After how inconsistent Montas was at times with his changeup, it’s refreshing to see the new pitch working so well, and we; and the A’s, hope he can keep it up.
Tyler Chatwood’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/zestysnoopygreatdane-baseball
Though he’s been in the news more for having one of the more atrocious pitching seasons in recent memory last season, Tyler Chatwood still has some nice stuff, and Odubel Herrera got handed way more than he could handle with this spectacular heater that bends up and away from the Phillies outfielder.
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.
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