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 and check back this weekend to see if it will be in contention for the GIF of the Second Half Contest, which will be live in November. 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.
Aaron Nola’s Changeup – Nola has had a few stumbles lately, but rebounded with eight strikeouts as he pitched into the sixth inning. The confidence of throwing a 2-1 Changeup that starts over the middle of the plate is a huge part of his success, especially when it can move like this.
Luis Castillo’s Fastball – It was the final start of Castillo’s 2017 season and he couldn’t have gone out on a better note, fanning ten batters across eight innings. He held nothing back on the field, not only hurling 100mph, but also with life as he blew this pitch past Orlando Arcia.
Corey Kluber’s Slider – Okay okay, you’ve seen this pitch a ton by now, but if you’re anything like us, you love watching Kluber’s Slider every time he throws it. Just look at its late break to avoid Adam Engel’s bat.
Luis Perdomo’s Fastball – If there is one thing I love, it’s Fastballs coming in above 95mph paired with crazy good movement. This Perdomo Fastball does just that, starting in the middle of the plate to Matt Carpenter before falling off the outside corner at a blistering 96mph. Talk about a good 3-2 pitch.
Adam Ottavino’s Cutter – Ottavino throws at least 3 varieties of his Slider, and this hard one works more like a Cutter than a Slider. Pitch names are somewhat subjective, but I can objectively say that Buster Posey swung and missed a pitch that ends up in the middle of the opposite batter’s box.
Craig Kimbrel’s Fastball – Kimbrel was able to shut the door Friday night and avoid the sweep against the heart of the Yankees lineup. Kimbrel throws from a 3/4’s arm slot, and this pitch almost seems to rise as Kimbrel gets under it. Gary Sanchez had no shot.
Rich Hill’s Curveball – While Ray got all the love last night, Hill was pristine save for a HR off a tough pitch hit by J.D. Martinez. His Curveball was as filthy as ever and looked fantastic in the opening frame as he sent Kris Negron back to the dugout.
Carlos Carrasco’s Fastball – Last night was one of Carrasco’s better performances we’ve seen, going the distance in a CGSHO against the White Sox. When he’s on, his Fastball gets a boatload of movement and it overwhelmed Yolmer Sanchez in the first inning at 94mph.
GIF Of The Week
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Second Half Contest.
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