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!
Sandy Alcantara’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/hardrepentantjabiru
A brilliant performance from Sandy Alcantara was the highlight of the Marlins’ 4-1 win over the Nationals. Alcantara struck out 11 across eight masterful innings, with this 94 mph disappearing changeup to strike out Lane Thomas the diamond of the day.
Kyle Wright’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/mixedvictoriousdunnart
Atlanta’s young arm Kyle Wright notched his 20th win of the season after another masterful showing against the Phillies. Wright has really mixed his arsenal well this season but his most devastating pitch is still the changeup – this perfectly located 88 mph change to strikeout Nick Maton is about as good as it gets.
Alek Manoah’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/whirlwindmisguidedelectriceel
Alek Manoah had a couple of nasty hard sliders in an eight-strikeout performance agains the Rays – this 82 mph sweeping effort was far too much for rookie Jose Siri.
Drew Rasmussen’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/playfuldirtycottontail
The Rays and Blue Jays was a pure pitcher’s duel and Drew Rasmussen brought the goods – this 95 mph sinker majestically painted the bottom corner of Bo Bichette’s strike zone. Lethal.
Corbin Burnes‘ Cutter
https://gfycat.com/poshcourageoushoki
There is no better master of the cut-fastball than Brewers ace Corbin Burnes. The right was on song in Milwaukee’s 11-2 rout of the Reds. Burnes wasted no time in establishing his primary pitch – TJ Friedl was the first batter and the first K of the day thanks to this vicious 98 mph cutter.
Framber Valdez’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/grimspiffyerin
The curveball is an art in itself, an art that Framber Valdez has mastered beautifully. The Astros lefty struck out four with his trademark pitch, including Ramón Urías with this nasty 79 mph curve.
Logan Gilbert’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/secondwatchfuldassie
Where do you want your high fastball? I’ll take mine high and away, rising out of the strike zone with a pinch of movement to snare the hitter. That’s exactly where Logan Gilbert put it to fell young MJ Melendez, a masterful 96 mph heater.
Clayton Kershaw’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/rawcheerfulafricanhornbill
Call me sentimental but I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to create these snippets for the great Clayton Kershaw. Young Dylan Carlson couldn’t resist a nibble at this beautiful 74 mph curveball.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)