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!
Chris Bassitt’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/boldbetterdodobird
There isn’t a pitcher less hyped than Oakland Athletics starter Chris Bassitt. Quietly putting in another ace-caliber season, Bassitt absolutely demolished home-run leader Shohei Ohtani with this delightful 75 mph overhead curveball.
Gerrit Cole’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/necessarywhitebettong
The Yankees’ big show headliner Gerrit Cole didn’t use the changeup too much today, firing down the White Sox lineup with a mix of straight heat and knuckle curveballs. However, this 89 mph changeup low and bending away from Yoan Moncada certainly caught the eye. Simply perfect.
Brady Singer’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/darlingfickleeider
The questions lingering around Brady Singer being a long-term elite starter have nothing to do with his unreal slider. Singer clearly needs to develop pitches but he is blessed with a killer slider, such as this 87 mph offering to fell Jeimer Candelario.
Emmanuel Clase’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/warmcharmingcrocodile
The sensational ascent of Emmanuel Clase has been exciting to watch so far this season. The young Cleveland closer was phenomenal again yesterday, retiring all five batters he faced in just 15 pitches. The best was this nasty 101 mph disappearing cutter to strike out Rob Refsnyder.
Lance McCullers’ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/hiddenaridcrownofthornsstarfish
The Astros bullpen fell apart for Lance McCullers who left with a 4-3 lead after an impressive five innings in which he struck out seven batters, including the dangerous Joey Gallo with this vicious 84 mph changeup that expertly nicks the outside corner of the strike zone.
Sonny Gray’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/preciouslastingchicken
The perfect offering to the opposition’s power bat is a filthy sinking fastball low and away from the hitter. That is exactly what this 95 mph Sonny Gray sinker achieves to Brewers slugger Avisaíl García.
Bryse Wilson’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/spryactiveatlanticsharpnosepuffer
Our third changeup of the day and it is a beauty – Bryse Wilson is trying to emulate the long line of young Braves pitchers to make their mark on Major League Baseball over the last couple of years. He took a step forward today mainly thanks to this delicious 88 mph changeup. Ben Gamel chasing pavements here.
Sam Coonrod’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/freefinishedaustralianfreshwatercrocodile
Yes, it was a changeup kind of day yesterday, sometimes it just falls like that. Sam Coonrod, who has been quietly fantastic so far this year for the Phillies, gave up back-t0-back home runs yesterday to the first two hitters he faced but then answered back with three straight Ks. This lovely 82 mph changeup to cut down Franchy Cordero was his best pitch of the night.
Diego Castillo’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/gleefulfatherlyhornshark
Oh, how I missed Tampa Bay Rays closer Diego Castillo when he was on the injured list! Why? Unhittable 88 mph sliders in the ninth inning may explain it. Randal Grichuk didn’t have a clue.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)
Cinci’s camera angle is Satan’s work.