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!
Devin Williams‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/DependableLinedDavidstiger
Reigning NL Rookie of the Year Devin Williams has had his fair share of struggles early on this season, but yesterday he seemed like he was more in rhythm. Williams pitched a clean one-two-three inning against the Cubs, and that means that we’re bound to see his filthy changeup just embarrass opposing hitters. Here, he gets Eric Sogard frozen on the ridiculous offspeed pitch, which is easily one of the best pitches in the majors.
Emmanuel Clase’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/VacantOblongGoosefish
If Devin Williams‘ changeup is the nastiest pitch of any reliever in baseball, I’d argue that Emmanuel Clase’s cutter is a close second. Clase consistently throws his cutter in the triple-digits and here he throws an absolute beauty. Watch as Giancarlo Stanton just swings in futility at this magical pitch.
Lance McCullers’ Slider
https://gfycat.com/UnsteadyWateryGalah
Lance McCullers is known for his filthy knuckle-curve, but this year he’s added an even filthier slider to his arsenal. McCullers showed off the pitch against the Halos on Sunday throwing it as many times as he threw his signature curve. Here he uses the slider to freeze Justin Upton who can only stare in disbelief as the pitch paints the inside edge of the plate (h/t to PL+ member Ben Bingham).
Michael Kopech’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/TestyPleasantEskimodog
Michael Kopech brings the heat with his fastball and he utilized it on Sunday to toss eight of his ten Ks against the Rangers. He posted an insane 42% whiff rate on the heater yesterday and it’s easy to see how that happened. Here he blows a pitch with some insane late break right by Joey Gallo for strike three.
Miguel Castro’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/linedscrawnybedlingtonterrier
Sticking with some nasty fastballs, let’s move on to Miguel Castro, who pitched a clean frame in relief for the Mets in their rubber match against the Nationals. Castro utilized his entire repertoire throwing one strikeout with each of his three pitches. But it was this K, on the sinker, that was the nastiest of the day. It was a perfectly placed heater that grazes the edge of the zone to freeze Ryan Zimmerman. Filthy.
Zac Gallen’s Knuckle-Curve
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In the second-best Diamondbacks pitching performance from Sunday afternoon (Madison Bumgarner did just a little better), Zac Gallen tossed seven one-hit frames against a potent Braves lineup. Gallen went the distance and looked nearly flawless on the mound. Here’s one of his six Ks, a nasty knuckle-curve that drops out on Marcell Ozuna.
Brandon Woodruff’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/DefenselessFinishedHornedtoad
Brandon Woodruff pitched six shutout innings against the Cubs in a phenomenal performance. Woodruff struck out eight hitters and allowed just two hits and two walks, notching both the QS and W on his stat line. Here’s his first K of the day against leadoff man Ian Happ who went down on a great heater that runs across the width of the zone.
Eduardo Rodriguez’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/HiddenCircularAnkolewatusi
Eduardo Rodriguez tossed seven quality frames against the Mariners yesterday, striking out eight along the way. Rodriguez, who missed all of 2020 when he was diagnosed with a heart condition, has looked solid on the mound in 2021. Here, E-Rod uses a filthy changeup to get Tom Murphy swinging through strike three.
Dylan Bundy’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/EmotionalLawfulGraysquirrel
It was a solid outing for Dylan Bundy, who struck out six opposing hitters over six quality frames. Bundy, who is coming off the best season of his career, has been just okay to begin the season, but he looked very comfortable on the mound yesterday. Here, he used a nasty slider to induce a swing-and-a-miss strike three out of Martin Maldonado.
Dustin May’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/AnimatedSerpentineKinglet
Dustin May dazzled on Sunday Night Baseball against the San Diego Padres, striking out ten over six frames, with the only blemish on his stat sheet being a Fernando Tatis Jr. home run. Usually we’re highlighting May’s nasty sinker, but tonight it’s all about the curve and, oh my, is this one to Jake Cronenworth nasty (h/t to PL+ member nvita).
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)