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!
Chris Flexen’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/antiquealienatedlemur
Seven beautiful shutout innings from Mariners starter Chris Flexen wrapped up with this delightful 77 mph curveball to strike out Taylor Ward. Just one of the good guys starting our article off with a ripper of a nasty pitch.
Ryan Yarbrough’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/ExcitableSpicyGaur
It is safe to say that Rays lefty Ryan Yarbrough tortured Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen with his changeup yesterday. He threw three straight changeups to strike him out in the fifth inning after striking him out earlier in the game with this devastating 77 mph changeup low in the zone.
Anthony DeSclafani’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/valuableanxiousgazelle
Since the start of June, Anthony DeSclafani has been amongst the best pitchers in baseball. There’s a sentence I didn’t think I would ever write this season. One of the main reasons for this has been the elite command of his two-seam fastball. A perfect example of that here – this 95 mph sinker low and inside to Trea Turner to get ahead 0-2 in the count is every starter’s dream.
Lou Trivino’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/DazzlingPowerfulBaboon
As far as changeups go, this is just delightful from Oakland Athletics closer Lou Trivino. He gets Brock Holt with a perfectly located 89 mph changeup low and away with late movement. Nasty.
Lucas Giolito’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/remotereasonableelephant
Here’s one for Josh Donaldson. Chicago White Sox ace Lucas Giolito striking out the hottest American League center-fielder of 2021, Cedric Mullins with a vicious 97 mph heater up in the zone. Scorchio!
David Bednar’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/cheerfulripehoneycreeper
David Bednar, a third-year reliever, has had a nice season in Pittsburgh. This pitch can be appreciated more when you consider the sequence and the work behind the plate from Michael Perez. Bednar threw a fastball inside for a strike before Alonso fouled off a pitch in the same spot to make it 0-2. Bednar then threw him another fastball off the outside of the plate that Alonso left alone. Perez positioned his glove high which Alosnon may have felt, thinking another fastball. Bednar seduces him with a perfect 90 mph split-finger fastball in the same position as his previous pitch.
Tylor Megill’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/ChillyBleakAdmiralbutterfly
There is no doubt that Mets youngster Tylor Megill has burst onto the scene in 2021 – his 26 strikeouts in just 18 innings is certainly eye-opening. And to strike out Kevin Newman, the most difficult hitter in the National League to strike out over the past three seasons, is no mean feat. Megill did it with a nasty 84 mph changeup that darts down just as it looks to be nestling in the middle of the strike zone. More, please!
Max Fried’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/BeneficialElderlyIndianglassfish
After the horrible injury to Ronald Acuña, Max Fried worked himself into a bit of a jam protecting a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and only one out, Fried struck out the next two hitters to get out of the inning. This sensational 12-6 76 mph curveball to fell Jon Berti personifies the resilience and determination we have come to expect from the impressive young Atlanta lefty.
Trevor Rogers‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/DefenselessAdolescentGalago
Do you want a young elite lefty throwing an elite changeup to the elite hitter in the National League? Yes, I’ll take that, please. A lovely 86 mph changeup from Marlins starter Trevor Rogers to strike out Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman.
Gerrit Cole’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/HospitableBouncyBlueshark
The best way to silence all your critics? Throw eight shutout innings against the best offensive team in baseball at Minute Maid Park to earn your current team a win over your form team in a blockbuster Saturday night showdown. Ladies and gentlemen, Gerrit Cole and his phenomenal 90 mph changeup to strike out Robel García.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)