The final four of the 2019 nastiest pitches GIF tournament from minor league pitchers is upon us, with a nice mix of two tight sliders, a heavy changeup and a hammer curveball making it nearly impossible to choose which pitch is the filthiest. But that’s part of the fun right? Enjoy!
Here are the rules:
- All GIFs were pulled from pitchers who have yet to appear in a major league game.
- You can only vote on a matchup once, so make sure you pick the one you absolutely want.
- Voting will continue until 12:00 a.m. EST the following morning.
Here are the matchups for Round 2:
American Bracket
1. Nate Pearson’s Slider vs. 6. Eli Morgan’s Changeup
National Bracket
3. Drew Rasmussen’s Slider vs. 4. Ian Anderson’s Curveball
Watch the GIFs in the Links Below!
Nate Pearson’s Slider vs. Eli Morgan’s Changeup
Nate Pearson is one of the most exciting pitching prospects in baseball, thanks primarily to his blazing fastball. He also throws a hard, tight slider that — when he locates it like this — is nearly impossible to get any wood on. This camera angle doesn’t do it much justice, but at least the radar gun does. Eli Morgan has perhaps the best changeup in the minors, as this thing looks like it’s falling down an elevator shaft. He’s an undersized, spin-rate monster who could flash well in the middle innings, especially as long as that change piece stays filthy.
https://gfycat.com/tiredinsignificantazurevase
VS.
https://gfycat.com/narrowmixedblackfish-baseball
Which was the better pitch? Vote to decide which pitch advances to the next round!
[polldaddy poll=10551649]
Ian Anderson’s Curveball vs. Drew Rasmussen’s Slider
The Braves love collecting big pitching prospects with hammer breaking balls, as Ian Anderson joins Kyle Muller in this tournament. Anderson is a polished arm who should settle in nicely as a mid-rotation arm thanks to a complete arsenal and good pitchability, and this breaking ball will get plenty of big swings and misses in the show. Drew Rasmussen is my pitching prospect crush for this year. After two elevated heaters, each at 99 mph, Rasmussen dropped this tight slider in on the hands, giving the hitter virtually no chance of making contact. An absolutely filthy sequence that would make Blake Snell (and Nick) very proud.
https://gfycat.com/frenchquarrelsomekitty
VS.
https://gfycat.com/pitifulfeminineglowworm-baseball
Which was the better pitch? Vote to decide which pitch advances to the next round!
[polldaddy poll=10551651]