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!
Phil Bickford’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/practicalyoungcygnet
You can’t spell Bickford without “Nasty”. Don’t double-check my work. That slider is rocking a 36% CSW on the season and is missing bats left and right. I can see why – this thing is FILTHY.
Alec Mills‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/pessimisticexhaustedirishredandwhitesetter
Today’s installment of Nastiest Pitches is top-heavy with sliders, and with good reason. This slider from Alec Mills to Rhys Hoskins ended up almost a quarter-mile away. Again, don’t double-check my work.
Garrett Crochet’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/yearlymetallicgemsbuck
Slider number three from Garrett Crochet also nearly ends up in the next county thanks to a ton of late-breaking action that the catcher almost couldn’t corral. The grab by the catcher may actually be the most impressive part of this GIF – sure, it’s not technically sound since he doesn’t move his body to stop the ball, but that snag prevented a run from scoring and another runner from moving into scoring position. Sure, it’s a 6-1 game, but stranger things have happened. Nasty pitch, great stop.
Corbin Burnes‘ Cutter
https://gfycat.com/delectablegloomybirdofparadise
I think Francisco Lindor is still upset with this pitch nearly 24 hours later but I’m honestly not sure why. It’s been a frustrating season for the veteran newcomer, but this was a perfectly executed pitch that dotted the corner for a well-deserved strike three. This is textbook execution by Corbin Burnes.
Devin Williams‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/definitecomfortableasiaticmouflon
We’ve grown accustomed to the wicked changeups from the Airbender himself, and while this one doesn’t generate a wicked whiff from the batter it is still wicked nasty. Look at that movement! That thing is heading right for the belt buckle before dropping in for a strike at the last minute. Nasty.
Jacob deGrom’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/sentimentalimpassionedgermanspitz
deGoat once again did GOAT things on Wednesday, though two earned runs are still out of character for him. Where are the complete game shutouts with 16 strikeouts? Jeez, be better. I’m not sure if he can be relied upon in 12 team leagues anymore. He’s probably droppable at this point.
Jake Cousins‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/whimsicallightheartedcoati
The cousin of NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins has been a sensation since joining the Brewers’ bullpen earlier this season. He has not allowed a run in his 7.1 innings this season, and his minuscule WHIP of 0.41 has been fantastic. The slider is sporting a 56.1% CSW so far, which is out of this world. Pretty impressive for a guy who was pitching in Indy ball last summer.
Caleb Thielbar’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/pastelcheeryballoonfish
Meat Raffle out here doing Meat Raffle things. The slow curve is Caleb Thielbar’s bread and butter and this one came with some extra jam on it. Kudos to Andrew Vaughn for recognizing the pitch and sitting back for a bit, but after grabbing a bite to eat and watching the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy (extended editions, of course), he still whiffed at this nasty curve to strike out. Better luck next time.
Alec Mills‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/importantcloudyhog
I usually try not to include the same pitcher more than once, especially when there are as many great pitches as there were on Wednesday, but this changeup from Alec Mills was too good not to include. Not to mention it’s pitcher-on-pitcher crime, which is a phrase we only have a couple more months to say, so I’ll be trying to do so as often as possible.
Clay Holmes‘ Sinker
https://gfycat.com/samemeageribex
We wrap up today’s edition of Nastiest Pitches with a filthy sinker from Clay Holmes that started outside the zone and ended up down and in. That isn’t easy to do. It’s also not easy to hit, which is why it wasn’t hit. That’s just straight facts.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)
This was… an ASTONISHINGLY SICK collection of pitches. I went w/ Williams as the majority has, but seriously, with a collection like this, who cares?
I once again tried my very inexperienced twitter skills and tried to @BenBrownPL about Scherzer’s 58th pitch. I’m kind of a social media Luddite, so if THAT didn’t work, please watch Scherzer’s 58th pitch, (the whole at-bat actually – THAT’S how an ace handles a HR from one of the best players in the game.)