Every week, we review the nastiest pitches from the previous week in glorious HD GIFs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pitch and check back on Saturday to see if it will be in contention for the GIF of the Second Quarter Contest. Week 12’s winner was Kyle Crick’s Slider. Crick’s slider is becoming a nastiest pitches mainstay.
Week 13’s nastiest pitches include a little bit of something for everyone. Two very different kinds of well-spotted fastballs, sharp breaking balls, and a devastating changeup. Enjoy the nastiness.
Did we miss your favorite pitch? Send us a tweet next time @PitcherList and we’ll GIF it up + give you a shoutout here in the article.
Aaron Nola’s Two-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/sadsnivelinghomalocephale
Aaron Nola was so good last night that I couldn’t help but include two pitches from the Phillies ace. This two-seamer leaves Jeff McNeil irate at the call, but by my eye, the pitch breaks just enough to hit part of the plate. Good luck hitting this pitch. Better to hope for the umpire to bail out the hitter with a call.
Zac Gallen’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/hairythickfunnelweaverspider
Zac Gallen finally got his major league call-up last week after obliterating Triple-A (1.77 ERA, 11 K/9 over 14 starts), and thus far the results have been pretty positive. He’s struck out 14 over his first 10 innings and would have a 0.90 ERA if Wei-Yin Chen wasn’t an awful reliever. The Marlins have had pretty respectable pitching thus far this year, and Gallen should continue that, giving Marlins fans something, anything to be excited about.
Max Scherzer’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/SparklingCrispGrebe
OK, Max Scherzer was so dominant on the mound last night that I couldn’t allow for just one pitch from last night to be up here. So to compete with his disgusting cutter that breaks in on J.T. Riddle, here’s a gorgeous changeup that breaks away from … J.T. Riddle.
Brandon Workman’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/electricsneakyflyingfox
The Red Sox bullpen was an issue for them last year, but Brandon Workman has emerged as a potential star thus far this season, with his 1.75 ERA and 12.75 K/9. If he keeps throwing filthy benders like this one that froze Tim Anderson like Chris O’Donnell in Batman and Robin, the 30-year-old could make a strong case for the 2019 Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award.
Justin Verlander’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/ThesePitifulBeauceron
After winning eight straight games, the Yankees offense finally hit a wall when it had to face Houston ace Justin Verlander. Verlander collected his 10th win of the season yesterday and threw nine strikeouts, including this wicked fastball that froze Yankees slugger Luke Voit.
Adam Ottavino’s Two-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/enormouschubbyblueshark
Adam Ottavino has been excellent all year for the bombers, making their already historic ‘pen even more dominant. He’s known for his wiffle ball slider, but he’s got this running fastball in his pocket as well. Hey Jose Altuve, welcome back to the big leagues.
Brad Peacock’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/forthrightmemorabledoctorfish
Though the Astros couldn’t muster much offensively against the Yanks, Brad Peacock more than did his part, striking out 11 over six innings of work. Peacock is turning in yet another solid campaign for the Astros, and the 31-year-old should be able to make a nice little bundle come his free agency after next season.
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner may be featured in the GIF of the Second Quarter Contest.
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Graphic by Michael Haas (@digitalHaas on Twitter)