Every day we bring you the nastiest pitches of the previous night’s games, and there are a bunch to sift through for our weekly Nastiest Pitch series to determine which pitches are the nastiest of the week. We’ve since narrowed it down to sixteen of the very best pitches from the previous month, and it’s up to you to determine which pitch will be crowned the Nastiest Pitch of June.
Shane McClanahan’s sinker took the crown in April. Last month it was Kevin Gausman’s filthy splitter that took the cake. Which pitch will join them in the Nastiest Pitch of the Month crowd?
Vote for one pitch in each matchup, and be sure to come back tomorrow to vote in the next round. Every vote counts, and your opinion matters!
Image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
Tejay Antone’s Curveball (2)
https://gfycat.com/fixedcarelessamericangoldfinch
vs.
José Urquidy’s Changeup (1)
https://gfycat.com/healthyaggressivehoverfly
In each of the first two rounds, I professed my love for both Miguel Castro’s and Paul Sewald’s sliders, and both of them have been eliminated. One of these pitches is my favorite remaining, but I’m not going to show my hand for fear that the nasty pitch gods (aka the voters) will go the other way. Both pitches are nasty and deserve to move on. Work your magic, voters!
Rich Hill’s Curveball (3)
https://gfycat.com/denseimprobablearcticduck
vs.
Blake Treinen’s Slider (2)
https://gfycat.com/remorsefullightheartedbobwhite
These two pitches very narrowly edged out their opponents in the Exciting Eight, with Blake Treinen’s slider winning by only one vote. I will continue to beat the “Blake Treinen is the nastiest reliever in baseball” drum until my arms fall off, but Rich Hill’s curveball is also one of my favorite pitches in the game. This one is tough and I don’t really know yet who will get my vote. We shall see.
Tune in tomorrow for the Terrific Two, and don’t forget to let us know in the comments if your favorite pitch deserves some love!
Photo by Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
When it comes to coin-flip calls like these, I always take into account which person is in the batter’s box, and whether they’re able to pick up on the pitch in any meaningful way. In the first set, you’ve got one of the best contact bats in the game completely frozen vs. DJ Stewart & his .204 AVG. In the second set, you’ve got a back-up catcher w/ a .220 AVG that actually swings somewhere in the vicinity vs… well… Rafael Devers, and Devers is completely flummoxed.
100% agree