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 Monday to see if it will be in contention for the GIF of the First Half Contest. Did we miss your favorite pitch? Send us a tweet next time @ThePitcherList and we’ll GIF it up + give you a shoutout here in the article.
[gfycat data_id=”QuaintOddballGhostshrimp” data_controls=false data_title=false]
Noah Syndergaard’s Sliders – There are few pitches quite as devastating as a slider in on the hands. When that slider is 93 miles per hour and belongs to a guy like Syndergaard, who also possesses a 100 mile per hour heater, well there’s a reason it sits atop our Nastiest Pitches from Opening Day.
[gfycat data_id=”YearlyNaughtyFlycatcher”]
Jose Alvarado’s Two-Seamer – Ninety-eight mph with late life down and in? Didn’t see that coming. And neither did Boston’s Rafael Devers. Tampa may have lost 1-0, but it was through no fault of the pair of Rays hurlers who bookend Friday’s nastiest pitches.
[gfycat data_id=”DangerousBlankIriomotecat”]
Luis Perdomo’s Fastball – Perdomo may not seem like that exciting of a pitcher but his two-seam fastball is almost impossible to hit when it bends in on you like this. He racked up 7 Ks in just 4 innings thanks in large part to his fastball.
[gfycat data_id=”BlueWhirlwindAustrianpinscher”]
John Axford’s Two-Seamer – Axford put in some work on Brett Gardner, turning the Yankee outfielder into a statue on four pitches, reluctant to lift his bat during the plate appearance. This one had the 34-year-old fooled enough for him to start to move out of the way—only to take a right turn and grab a good chunk of the plate. (Thanks to @robertomorson for the tip!)
[gfycat data_id=”EnchantingPlayfulBushsqueaker”]
Jordan Hicks‘ Sliders – 21-year-old rookie Jordan Hicks has electrified the baseball world this weekend, with blazing 101 miles per hour fastballs. However, it’s his devastating mid-80’s slider that has stifled hitters, as seen delivered here to Brewers catcher Manny Pina.
[gfycat data_id=”MeanBrilliantBushbaby”]
Seth Lugo’s Fastball – Check out this ridiculous two-seamer thrown by Mets reliever Seth Lugo. Carlos Santana sees his life flash before his eyes before this pitch retreats over the plate at the last minute. Truly nasty. (Thanks to Redditors BigFreakingJim and the_fuzzy_stoner for the tip!)
[gfycat data_id=”ShockedDeliciousGossamerwingedbutterfly”]
Johnny Cueto’s Fastball – Ichiro Suzuki knows how to hit and Cueto made him look just plain silly on this one. That location and movement were so perfect it made Suzuki back away on a perfect strike three.
[gfycat data_id=”ObedientNaughtyAardvark”]
Shane Greene’s Slider – Greene has a firm hold on the Tiger’s closer role and took advantage last night, closing the door on the White Sox. He threw plenty of filthy pitches including this slider that demoralized Leury Garcia, inducing a whiff on a pitch that nearly hit him.
[gfycat data_id=”UnnaturalMintyBluewhale”]
Justin Verlander’s Curveball – Fresh off a celebratory first week, Verlander had his signature Curveball humming against the Orioles. This Curveball’s sharp drop makes Manny Machado look foolish. The inside Curveball isn’t common, but Verlander has enough confidence in his deuce to throw it anywhere, anytime.
GIF Of The Week
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the First Half Contest.
[polldaddy poll=9977188]