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!
Marcus Stroman’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/parchedwearyavocet
Marcus Stroman continues to make his case to get a big payday this coming offseason with 6.1 strong innings with only one run allowed while striking out seven Marlins, in a no-decision which the Mets would ultimately lose. With a 35% CSW Stroman lit up the highlight reels including this gorgeous sinker to strike out Jesus Sanchez. The late movement across the plate on this pitch is just absurd, and Jesus Sanchez could do nothing but admire how nasty this pitch was.
Tony Gonsolin’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/plumpsomefallowdeer
In limited action Thursday, Tony Gonsolin allowed one run in his three innings of work as the Dodgers worked a bullpen game in their loss to the Cardinals. Gonsolin ended his outing with this nasty moving slider breaking down and in to Dylan Carlson, forcing him to swing right through it.
Cal Quantrill’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/apprehensivefragrantindochinahogdeer
Cal Quantrill impressed through 7.2 strong innings over the Twins producing weak contact throughout, while also getting in a little bit of a staredown with some Twins’ hitters. He also dropped this gorgeous changeup to Max Kepler, who was way out in front of the pitch to go down on strikes.
Jesús Luzardo’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/floweryslightgrassspider
Jesús Luzardo tied a career-high with eight strikeouts and a 35% CSW as he continues his turnaround since joining the Marlins. Luzardo ended his night with this nasty curveball down to Michael Conforto, forcing an awkward swing and miss before the Marlins turned to the bullpen.
Zach Pop’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/rectangularlawfulatlanticbluetang
Zach Pop only faced two batters on Thursday and produced only one out on Thursday. But this out was nasty enough to make the list as the Marlins kept the game tied after Luzardo was pulled. Here, Pop throws a beautiful sinker crossing back over the inside corner, buckling the knees of Dominic Smith and sending him down looking to end the inning and escape damage.
Jose Berríos’ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/warmvigorousblackrussianterrier
As the Blue Jays completed a four-game sweep in New York over the Yankees, Jose Berríos was dominant with eight strikeouts and a wowing 40% CSW. With as dominant of a performance you have multiple pitches that could make it onto this list, but this curveball to Brett Gardner has to make it on, as we see the late drop out of zone causing Gardner to swing very awkwardly and go down on strikes.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)