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 First Quarter Contest. Week 1’s winner was Jose Alvarado’s fastball. It’s only Week 1, but it’s going to be tough to beat out a pitch that seems to defy physics.
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.
This season’s second week of GIFs includes some new faces, such as Max Fried and Yusei Kikuchi along with mainstays like Jordan Hicks. Check back next Saturday to see which GIF our readers picked as the nastiest pitch of the week.
Steve Cishek’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/passionateclutteredgermanwirehairedpointer
Steve Cishek and almost the entire Cubs pitching staff has struggled to start the year, so last night’s combined shutout was a welcome sight for Cubs fans. This Cishek sinker to finish Jason Martin seems almost like a backward slider as it moves from the middle third to the opposite batter’s box. (Thanks to @TheBlogFines for the tip!)
Tyler Glasnow’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/pastelvicioushamadryad
Tyler Glasnow and his spectacular curveball have already gotten plenty of fanfare already this season, but I’m going to continue singing its’ praises. There’s always at least a handful of hitters who Glasnow makes look like tee-ballers with this pitch, and tonight, our unlucky guest is Tim Anderson. Expect to see this pitch highlighted once again the next time Glasnow takes the mound.
Max Fried’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/EnragedCheapHalicore
Max Fried burst onto the scene this past week by carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning in his season debut against the Chicago Cubs, and he followed that outing with another six-inning gem against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Fried has a wicked mix of plus pitches highlighted by a fastball that comfortably sits 94 to 95 mph and regularly touches 97 mph. His curveball, dare I say, reminds me of that of Clayton Kershaw. Coming in anywhere from 74 to 79 mph, it creates a devastating change of pace and has one of the highest spin rates of any curve in the majors. This kid is going to be special.
Jordan Hicks‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/BareClearIchthyosaurs
Another outing, another entry on the Nastiest Pitch roundup. Jordan Hicks unfair repertoire was once again on display today, this time against the Dodgers. Over/Under 50.5 more Nasty Pitch appearances for Hicks this year.
Diego Castillo’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/concretealarmedfreshwatereel
Okay, so this isn’t Jose Alvarado’s fastball, but dang does this pitch have some break to it. Castillo makes Pablo Sandoval look like a little leaguer with this triple-digit beauty.
Tyler Skaggs‘ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/FrequentMindlessGraywolf
Tyler Skaggs has had a hard time staying healthy in his career, which is quite a shame as those frequent injuries have robbed us of the opportunity to watch gorgeous curveballs like this one. This marks one of the few times I have felt bad for Rougned Odor — a well-placed front door curve is no fun for the guy in the box.
Yusei Kikuchi’s Slider
Fact: The Mariners made three errors today.
Also Fact: Your defense can’t mess things up for you if the hitter can’t put it in play.
Final Fact: When your slider moves like someone’s standing behind the hitter pulling it by a string, the hitter usually can’t put it in play.
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner may be featured in the GIF of the First Quarter Contest.
[polldaddy poll=10293857]
Graphic by Michael Haas (@digitalHaas on Twitter)