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!
Walker Buehler’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/plushthirdcavy
It was an extraordinary day on the mound for Dodgers young gun Walker Buehler, who flirted with a no-hitter until a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth inning. He recorded 11 strikeouts – included in these was this phenomenal 82 mph knuckle curveball to fool Diamondbacks veteran hitter David Peralta.
Logan Gilbert’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/smoothzanybarbet
In his most impressive outing so far as a big-league pitcher, Mariners rookie Logan Gilbert worked his sensational changeup in beautifully with his electric fastball. Working the pitch mainly low in the zone, he generated plenty of swings and misses. His only strikeout of the changeup, however, was this delightful 79 mph change to paint the inside corner to Ji-Man Choi.
Framber Valdez’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/bestfewindochinahogdeer
The loveable Framber Valdez was all smiles on the mound today and he pitched a beauty – he retired Leury García on three straight swinging strikes, the last a wonderful 81 mph curveball, his go-to swing-and-miss pitch.
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Lance Lynn’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/meangloomyannelid
Despite being roughed up early by the red-hot Astros lineup, Lance Lynn used his staple cutter to devastating effect at times yesterday. His pitch of the day was this perfectly placed 86 mph cutter low and away from Houston’s catcher, Martin Maldonado.
Vladimir Gutierrez’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/severalbreakableatlanticsharpnosepuffer
The 25-year-old Cuban, Vladimir Gutierrez has been a revelation for the Reds, a nice surprise to a rotation that needed to find a couple of starters from somewhere this year. The rookie, who is 3-1 so far this season, pitched well against one of baseball’s most dangerous lineups. This 83 mph slider was perfectly placed on the outside corner to induce a swing and a strikeout for Fernando Tatís Jr., one of the best in the game!
Taylor Rogers‘ Sinker
https://gfycat.com/frighteneddependentcattle
Twins closer Taylor Rogers put on a clinic of lefty-to-lefty pitching against the Rangers’ Willie Calhoun yesterday. He started him off with a two-seamer that painted the inside of the zone for a called strike, then hit him with two sliders – one low and away that was fouled away and another way low and away for a ball. This vicious 97 mph sinker was located in the exact same place as the first pitch of the at-bat but had a tad more movement. Beautiful.
Pablo López’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/dimwittedscaryalabamamapturtle
The amazing Marlin and his lights-out changeup! It’s Pablo López, of course. This 89 mph effort to strike out Jason Heyward earns my vote for the nastiest pitch of the day.
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Chris Bassitt’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/flakyunderstatedkinkajou
I could watch Oakland Athletics starter Chris Bassitt every day. A terrific repertoire of pitches with consistently brilliant execution. For example, check out the disappearing 72 mph curveball to strike out Yankees infielder Rougned Odor.
Aroldis Chapman’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/conscioussizzlinghairstreak
After allowing a couple of base-runners, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman pitched himself into a bit of trouble trying to protect a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. However, he answered back in the only way he knows how – pure heat! He struck out Matt Chapman swinging on a 103 mph heater to end the game. The setup pitch was this 101 mph four-seam fastball on the outside of the strike zone. Chappy had to bite for the next one!
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)