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!
Ross Stripling’s Knuckle Curve
https://gfycat.com/BlankNimbleAmericanalligator
Oof, this is seriously nasty! Now, Ross Stripling is one of our favorites, his interview with Nick Pollack last year is a great listen, and we are all very pleased to see him back in the Dodgers rotation. Start your day off by standing and admiring this ridiculous 12-6 79 mph curveball — Wil Myers sure did.
Dallas Keuchel’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/carelessplasticchrysalis
The Chicago White Sox’s Dallas Keuchel is out to prove everyone wrong this season after a middling year with the Braves where he went 8–8 with a 3.75 ERA, striking out 91 over 112.2 innings. He has been outstanding over the first two games of the season, just ask Orlando Arcia who was humiliated by this vicious 87 mph sinker that falls down off a cliff at the last moment.
Zack Wheeler’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/gracioussolidbarnacle
Things have worked out pretty well so far in Philadelphia for Zack Wheeler, his stat line is 12 innings pitched, 11 hits, just three earned runs with four walks and six strikeouts, throwing exactly 87 pitches in each start. Here he gets Gleyber Torres with a ripping 95 mph four-seam fastball with plenty of shift to the inside corner.
Hyun-Jin Ryu’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/smoggylastingamericanavocet
A big reason for Hyun-Jin Ryu’s success in Los Angeles last season was his ability to keep hitter’s off-balance with his arsenal, and in particular his killer slow change. Here is a good example from today’s matchup against the Braves with Marcell Ozuna completely baffled by Ryu’s tantalizing changeup low and away.
Ryan Yarbrough’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/nearprestigiouscatbird
We glorious many who love the art of pitching have desperately been waiting for Ryan Yarbrough to become a full-time starter. Yes, folks, it looks like its happening. The Rays lefty looks the part thanks to his devastating off-speed stuff. And, here’s the least used of those pitches — the 74 mph curveball — fooling Alex Verdugo into an ill-advised swipe at nothingness. Just lovely.
Joakim Soria’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/givingcarelesscicada
Joakim Soria could be one of baseball’s most underrated relievers. Now 36, the Mexican has been a stalwart for the A’s since signing as a free agent in 2018. Soria was called upon to close the game out against the Rangers last night, and he did so in a characteristically efficient fashion. His juicy 73 mph slow-slider to Rob Refsnyder epitomizes what Soria is about.
Erick Fedde’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/granularbitterarabianhorse
Erick Fedde, a useful swingman for the Washington Nationals, stepped in for the injured Max Scherzer, who left early in the ball game. The former 1st round pick impressed in spot starts last year and missed out on a spot in the Nationals elite rotation this year by the thinnest margin. Despite taking the loss (thanks to a lack of run support), Fedde was excellent across three innings allowing only three hits. His pitch of the day was this wicked 94 mph sinker, much to the dismay of Wilson Ramos.
Alex Cobb’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/wideeyedlegitimateindianrhinoceros
Some days are aces and faces, some days are twos and threes. For Orioles starter Alex Cobb, it has been too much of the latter. But not this day. Cobb went 5.1 innings allowing just four hits and zero walks whilst striking out six. The best of those was finished off with a mean 87 mph splitter to Matt Joyce. Tasty nice!
Ross Stripling’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/needyquarterlyastrangiacoral
Double Stripling! How could I not after his performance today?! And there is nothing quite as exciting as seeing off-season rumors about pitchers developing new pitches come to life. So, Ross Stripling has a new changeup and it is glorious. Bottom of the 1st, Trent Grisham the victim on a 2-2 count — an 85 mph gem.
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.
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