The Nastiest 16 Pitching GIFs of April 2019 — Semi-Finals

It’s time to crown the first monthly GIF winner of 2019. The first month of the MLB season was filled with a load of impressive pitches that were part of even more pitching performances. But only one among them can be named the best pitch of April.

The best 16 from the first month have been pulled aside and ranked. Now it’s on you, the voter, to decide which stands above the rest. Three-quarters of the original field are gone. Only the real heavy hitters are left.

Here are the rules:

• All GIFs were pulled from the month of April, along with one from Opening Day in March.
• You can only vote on a matchup once, so make sure you pick the one you absolutely want.
• Voting will continue until 12:00 a.m. EST the following morning. This is the third round.

 

Here are the results from Round 1:

 

American Bracket

 

1. Jordan Hicks‘ Slider defeated 8. Jameson Taillon’s Curveball
2. Jose Alvarado’s Sinker defeated 7. Joe Musgrove’s Curveball
3. Max Fried Curveball’s defeated 6. Charlie Morton’s Curveball
4. Jorge Lopez’s Two-Seam Fastball defeated 5. Jeurys Familia’s Sinker

 

National Bracket

 

1. Luis Castillo’s Two-Seam Fastball defeated 8. Jordan Lyles‘ Curveball
2. Yu Darvish Slider defeated 7. Tyler Glasnow Curveball
3. Chaz Roe’s Slider defeated 6. Clayton Kershaw’s Curveball
4. Trevor Bauer’s Slider defeated 5. Domingo German’s Curveball

 

Here are the results from Round 2:

 

American Bracket

 

1. Jordan Hicks‘ Slider defeated 4. Jorge Lopez’s Two-Seam Fastball
2. Jose Alvarado’s Sinker defeated Max Fried Curveball’s

 

National Bracket

 

1. Luis Castillo’s Two-Seam Fastball defeated 4. Trevor Bauer’s Slider
2. Yu Darvish’s Slider defeated 3. Chaz Roe’s Slider

 

Here are the matchups for Round 3:

 

American Bracket

 

1. Jordan Hicks‘ Slider vs. 2. Jose Alvarado’s Sinker

 

National Bracket

 

1. Luis Castillo’s Two-Seam Fastball vs. 2. Yu Darvish’s Slider

 

 

Watch the GIFs in the Links Below!

Jordan Hicks‘ Slider vs. Jose Alvarado’s Sinker

 

They may have come from different parts of the world, but it wouldn’t be immensely surprising if Jordan Hicks (Houston native) and Jose Alvarado (Venezuelan) crossed paths with the same personal pitching coach at some point. Pretty much everyone else in the game throws the ball in the plate’s general vicinity, whereas these two are throwing it at opposing hitters’ back foot. Though, the results are there, so how much can you really argue with the results?

 

https://gfycat.com/softperkybackswimmer-baseball

 

VS.

 

https://gfycat.com/littleunripeethiopianwolf-alvarado-fb-4-16-19-baseball

 

Which was the better pitch? Vote to decide which pitch advances to the next round!

 

[polldaddy poll=10314757]

 

Luis Castillo’s Two-Seam Fastball vs. Yu Darvish’s Slider

 

Yu Darvish knocked off Pitcher List poster boy Chaz Roe last round, but he has to take on the pitching GIF world’s new sensation: Luis Castillo. Darvish’s slide-piece might’ve had more moves than Zac Efron in, well . . . he cuts up a rug in pretty much anything he’s in. Point is, Darvish’s slider has some moves. Turns out, so does Eric Hosmer—at least when pressured into it. The San Diego Padres star first baseman breaks out the buckle and twist at the sight of Castillo’s 96-mph fuzz.

 

https://gfycat.com/pleasingslighthorsechestnutleafminer-baseball

 

VS.

 

https://gfycat.com/classicbasicgibbon

 

Which was the better pitch? Vote to decide which pitch advances to the next round!

 

[polldaddy poll=10314764]