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!
Alek Manoah’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/selfishvillainousamericanavocet
The quality is on-show for all of us to see with Blue Jays rookie Alek Manoah. If he can add an effective changeup up his other offspeed deliveries he could be a serious front-line starter in the near future. For now, the slider and his killer curveball are his bread and butter. This lovely 79 mph curve forces the swing and miss over the outside of the plate from slugger Ryan O’Hearn. Nasty all day! Thanks to PL+ member Alex Sawczynec for highlighting this ripper.
Cristian Javier’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/failingresponsibleaoudad
Crafty lefty Cristian Javier spends most of his time in the Astros bullpen these days but that doesn’t take anything away from his nasty curveball – a 77 mph disappearing curve here takes care of pinch-hitter Jason Vosler.
Cole Irvin’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/edibleimaginativecranefly
Unheralded Athletics starter Cole Irvin leads Major League Baseball in fewest pitches per inning this season and has been a diamond in the rough since the A’s traded for him from the Phillies in the offseason for pocket change. Here he gets MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani with a juicy 86 mph changeup low and inside. A beauty!
Trevor Rogers‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/vagueunknownlangur
The Miami Marlins welcomed back their young gun Trevor Rogers from the injured list yesterday and he looked in fine form. After a low fastball with plus movement brought a swinging strike to make the count 2-2, Rogers dealt this excellent 86 mph changeup to strike out new Yankee Joey Gallo.
Tyler Anderson’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/scarywancow
The Mariners made the move with Pittsburgh Pirates to bring Tyler Anderson over as their fifth starter after injuries to their rotation. Anderson made a good start today going five strong innings before pitching himself into trouble in the bottom of the sixth. His first strikeout as a Mariner was off his improving cutter – this 88 mph cut-fastball nips inside to right-hander Charlie Culberson for the K. If he can continue to develop this as a whiff pitch, the Mariners might have themselves a sneaky gem.
Edwin Diaz’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/closezigzagdesertpupfish
A great matchup that is worth the look on replay, Mets closer Edwin Díaz finally struck out wily veteran Joey Votto with this vicious 99 mph four-seam fastball high and rising above the strike zone! Pure heat. PL+ member nvita loved it as much as I did, thanks for the recommendation.
Aaron Nola’s Knuckle-Curveball
https://gfycat.com/TiredDeepAntelope
Another Aaron Nola outing, another devasting knuckle-curveball. Bryan Reynolds is a difficult man to strike out, however, he could do nothing but succumb to this delightful 81 mph knuckle-curve from the Phillies ace.
JT Brubaker’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/colorfulfairbobcat
Come for the Nola knuckle-curve but stay for the JT Brubaker sinker. The young Pirates starter is quietly having a good season and we are seeing plenty of pitch development. This 96 mph sinker on the outside corner has plus movement to jelly-leg Andrew McCutchen into thinking it is outside but then moves nicely to catch the outside of the strike zone. Well done, son!
Emmanuel Clase’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/dearesttiredagouti
To quote the television broadcast, “a 102 mph cutter touching the top of the strike zone, good luck!” That’s exactly what Cleveland’s young co-closer Emmanuel Clase threw to White Sox outfielder Brian Goodwin yesterday. Watch and admire!
Brandon Woodruff’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/someexcitableinexpectatumpleco
You could say it’s a case of the old “save the best until last” with this wonderful 87 mph changeup from Brandon Woodruff to strike out Atlanta outfielder Joc Pederson. What. A. Pitch!
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)