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.
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Matt Brash’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/powerlessignoranthake
There was a lot of excitement when it was announced that the Mariners were adding Matt Brash to the rotation to begin the year. That excitement appears justified as the rookie showed off his insane arsenal of pitches against a strong White Sox lineup. Brash reached 99 MPH with his heater, but it was his breaking pitches that turned heads. Here he showed off a great slider to José Abreu.
Ethan Roberts‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/unfoldedonlyeelelephant
Cubs’ rookie Ethan Roberts was tasked with holding the 2-0 lead late in the game and the young righty did just that. He picked up his first strikeout on a wicked slider to Roberto Pérez.
Chris Stratton’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/giddyterrificamericanalligator
Chris Stratton made an appearance in that same game and followed up Roberts’ strikeout with a pair of his own. The journeyman reliever was solid for the Pirates last year and looks to be another heavily relied-upon piece in the Pittsburgh pen. His second strikeout came at the expense of Frank Schwindel on a nasty slider.
Tylor Megill’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/impartialgenuinejohndory
Tylor Megill ended up as the Opening Day starter as the Mets’ injury woes never seem to end. Megill pitched well on Opening Day and followed it up with another strong performance his second time through the rotation. He froze Bryce Harper with a nice front door changeup in the first. (h/t to PL+ member nvita)
Bryce Elder’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/quarrelsomebogushoneybee
Bryce Elder was called up to Atlanta Tuesday to make his Major League debut. The rookie received plenty of run support as the Atlanta offense backed him for ten runs over the first four innings. Elder held his own as well, tossing five and two-thirds quality innings while striking out four. He put away Yadiel Hernandez on a diving changeup to end the fourth. (h/t to PL+ member Pete Dixon)
Jesús Luzardo’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/talkativebruisedacornbarnacle
The most dominant outing of the night may have belonged to Jesús Luzardo as the lefty punched out twelve Angels over only five innings of work. Luzardo ended the night with nine strikeouts on his curveball as the pitch carried an impressive 55% CSW. His first K came on the very first batter he faced in the form of reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani.
Zack Wheeler’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/familiardecisiveadmiralbutterfly
Zack Wheeler had a delayed start to his 2022 as some early shoulder soreness in Spring coupled with a flu-bug set him slightly behind schedule. Wheeler’s debut was abbreviated as the Phillies’ ace is still building up his pitch count, but he pitched well falling one out short of five full innings and allowing only a single run. This back-foot slider to Robinson Canó looked like vintage Wheeler.
Andrew Heaney’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/elasticcourageousboubou
After a couple of tough years with the Angels, Andrew Heaney headed back West to join their LA counterpart. Heaney made a strong Dodger debut in rainy Minneapolis allowing one unearned run while striking out five, including the red-hot Byron Buxton twice. The first came on this fantastic back-foot curveball to open the game.
Devin Williams‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/tiredchubbyguernseycow
Every time Devin Williams takes the mound it’s more likely than not that his changeup will make an appearance here. Tuesday was no different as the Brewers’ righty unleashed another nasty change to help himself out of a jam. Williams loaded the bases with no one out, but then struck out the next three to retain the one-run lead. Chris Owings was the first of those victims.
Aroldis Chapman’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/flatdangerousconey
Aroldis Chapman introduced a splitter in 2020 and began to incorporate it more frequently into his pitch mix a year later. Largely a two-pitch pitcher, the splitter gives Chapman a third option and adds just one more thing for hitters to think about in the box. Coupled with a fastball that frequently breaks triple digits, Chapman’s splitter frequently elicits some ugly swings. That was the case here with the big lefty striking out Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on a splitter in the dirt to clinch the Yankee victory.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)
Williams came in and his changeup was awful for like 10 – 15 pitches. Then the pitching coach came out and spoke to him and suddenly his changeup was the filthiest filth leading to three strikeouts in a row after he loaded the bases with no outs.