Pitcher List was founded on the back of filthy pitches, and we strive to bring you the best of the best every day. However, with over 70+ pitches featured every week, there are a lot to sort through. We ask you, the readers, to vote for your favorite every day, and now is your chance to crown the best of the week.
Every week, we will be featuring the top pitches from each day as voted on by the readers. Then, every Tuesday, you’ll have a chance to vote for your favorite for the week. Make your voice heard in the comments, on Twitter, and in our Discord for which pitch you think is the best!
5/17 – Yu Darvish’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/forkedlazyboa
Yu Darvish hasn’t allowed a hit with his sinker all year, and I can see why. This pitch gets a ton of movement on it and there’s no way Dom Nuñez could have put bat to ball in the split second between it being a ball and ending up as a strike. It’s Darvish’s 5th most used pitch at 5.9%, so he uses it sparingly but it’s effective whenever he does.
5/18 – Aroldis Chapman’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/evergreenhappygoluckyboa
Where Yu Darvish excels with movement and pitch mix, Aroldis Chapman excels with straight up pure heat. This pitch clocked in at 103 MPH as Chapman reached into the tank for a little extra gas on this one. His sinker is averaging 100.9 MPH this year, his highest since 2018 and he’s clearly feeling much healthier than in years past. Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned that little bit of movement at the end. Chef’s Kiss
5/19 – Corey Kluber’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/chillyhospitablediamondbackrattlesnake
Boy, it feels like it’s been ages since our last no hitter which was thrown only a week ago today by Corey Kluber. This backdoor curveball just nicked enough of the edge of the plate for a called strike three against Joey Gallo. Hopefully our long national nightmare can end by someone finally breaking the week long no hitter curse very soon.
5/19 – John Means‘ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/jollybiodegradablegrassspider
Speaking of guys who’ve thrown no hitters, here’s a nasty curveball from John Means! The curveball is his third most used pitch and it’s only allowed one hit this season, which is pretty nice if you ask me. It’s not a huge whiff pitch for him, only generating a 21.2% Whiff%, but his 31.9% CSW with the pitch is still high thanks to a solid called strike rate. Personally, I don’t know how anyone is not swinging at this pitch because I would 10/10 times.
5/19 – Corbin Burnes‘ Sinker
https://gfycat.com/imperfectenchantingfurseal
Corbin Burnes has been on fire in 2021, and it’s his entire six pitch mix that is getting outs for him. This sinker shoots out of his hand like a rocket and makes Andrew Benintendi look silly. Nasty, nasty, nasty.
5/20 – Alex Claudio’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/rightalarmingbrant
Here we have a double doink from Cody Parkey Alex Claudio which appears to clip the catcher just above his gear in a spot that looks like it hurt. Ouch. The pitch is pretty nasty in that it hit Josh Donaldson after he thought he had a legitimate enough chance to make contact that he swung at the pitch. This is just painful all around.
5/20 – Rich Hill’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/affectionateflawedislandwhistler
Rich Hill has looked like the Rich Hill of old so far this season, with huge breaking curveballs and a sneakily effective fastball. He’s one of my favorite pitchers to watch whenever he’s on the mound and he’s a guy you can’t help but root for.
5/21 – Trevor Bauer’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/firstclutteredaplomadofalcon
Going from a guy you can’t help but root for to a guy who many people can’t stand, you still can’t deny that Trevor Bauer has nasty stuff and is one of the best pitchers in the league. This sinker that darts right back over the plate at the last second had Buster Posey totally confused and helpless.
5/22 – Emmanuel Clase’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/warmcharmingcrocodile
With Emmanuel Clase, you know you’re getting one of two pitches: A 90 MPH slider down and away, or a cutter down and away that’s traveling 11 MPH faster. Good luck trying to catch up to either of those pitches, because they’re absolutely filthy.
5/23 – Julio Urías‘ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/vengefulnaturalaphid
Julio Urías has been rocking it in 2021, especially with the curveball. It’s been generating a ton of whiffs (34.6%) and it’s his number one put away pitch at 29.8%. With 15.7 inches of horizontal break, about 7.7 inches above average, his curveball has been one of the filthiest pitches in baseball.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)