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!
Shohei Ohtani’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/secretmistyanemone
The sheer joy of being able to include a Shohei Ohtani pitch in this article is second to only the privilege of watching his ability on the mound and at the plate on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN. Ohtani registered seven strikeouts against a dangerous White Sox lineup during his impressive 4.2 innings in which he gave up just one run. This 93 mph split-finger fastball to fell Luis Robert is exactly what we want to see week in, week out this year. Phenomenal.
Zach Eflin’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/slowharmoniousaardwolf
Pitching with movement and command is everything to the big Zach Eflin – and today he had his two-seam fastball working a treat against the Braves. Here is a perfectly placed 92 mph sinker to fool Marcell Ozuna.
Julio Urías‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/cloudyblindfrogmouth
Ladies and gentlemen, the devastating 89 mph hard changeup of Julio Urías. C.J. Cron is gone!
Zach Davies‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/mealyimpossiblehorsemouse
Speaking of changeups, new Cubs starter Zach Davies followed up his 500th career strikeout with this astonishing 77 mph changeup to bewilder Colin Moran.
Bruce Zimmermann’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/exemplarymagnificenteyelashpitviper
26-year old lefty Bruce Zimmermann was one of the intriguing pieces the Orioles acquired from the Braves in return for Kevin Gausman in 2018. Likely to hold down a full season in the Orioles rotation, Zimmerman offers huge upside with a nice repertoire of pitches. This 87 mph slider to strike out Alex Verdugo is as good as it gets.
José Alvarado’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/knobbyappropriatecommabutterfly
Our PL+ Discord is buzzing through the day with shout-outs for Nasty Pitches and here are a couple of mentions for our eagle-eyed members with a good, nasty taste. First up is PL+ member nvita for pointing out this fearsome 94 mph cutter from José Alvarado to send Austin Riley packing.
Julian Merryweather’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/ornatedeficientbarracuda
The name on everyone’s lips in the reliever team here at Pitcher List is young Blue Jays arm Julian Merryweather, who seems to be benefiting from the absence of Kirby Yates when it comes to closing duties. Armed with a high-90s fastball and deceptive changeup, he also impressed with this perfectly-timed and exquisitely-placed 87 mph slider to strike out Gleyber Torres. Thanks to PL+ member burial for the nod.
Tyler Matzek’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/halforderlygnu
And let’s round it up with the old number one – the never-gets-old 100 mph heater from Braves lefty Tyler Matzek to dispose of Alec Bohm.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)