A.J. Puk’s Slider and the Nastiest Pitches from 8/26

Every morning, we review the nastiest pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious high-definition GIFs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pitch and check back this weekend to see if it will be in contention for the GIF of the Fourth Quarter Contest. Did we miss your favorite pitch? Send us a tweet next time @PitcherList and we’ll GIF it up and give you a shoutout here in the article.

 

A.J. Puk’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/apprehensivesnoopydwarfmongoose

A.J. Puk hasn’t exactly set the world on fire in the minors this season, but the A’s No. 2 prospect has as much dominant stuff as any pitching prospect in baseball. Him and Jesus Luzardo should be a potent 1-2 punch for the up and coming A’s for years to come.

 

Sonny Gray’s Curveball

 

https://gfycat.com/chiefmediumbluebreastedkookaburra

After a really underwhelming season last year under the New York lights, Sonny Gray has absolutely crushed it this season in Cincinnati. He owns a 2.92 ERA and a career high (by a lot) 10.6 K/9. We may never know exactly what happened, but he’s finally looking like the Cy Young candidate he was in Oakland.

 

Joe Musgrove’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/directlankycricket

Though he had a good start to the year, the popular sleeper candidate Joe Musgrove has taken quite a precipitous dive as of late. His ERA sits at a mediocre 4.67 after Monday’s start, though it was still much better than his 5 ER start last time out against the Nationals.

 

Jason Vargas‘ Fastball

 

https://gfycat.com/baggyshabbyhylaeosaurus

Jeez man, how are you supposed to hit these kind of flames. I really can’t blame Marte here, I probably would have also missed that, uh, 85 mile per hour fastball. Jason Vargas put a tear in old Jamie Moyer’s eye on Monday, absolutely humiliating Starling Marte here. Vargas owns a 4.09 ERA on the year, which is expected from the inconsistent, albeit weirdly dominant at times, veteran.

 

Wes Parsons‘ Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/weakgoldenfrigatebird

Wes Parsons was having a solid season out of the Braves pens until getting traded to the Rockies, where his season ERA jumped from 3.52 to 4.24. At 26 Parsons still has plenty of time to develop, but he’s nothing particularly special as a talent. Working in Coors Field doesn’t help either.

 

GIF of the Night

Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Fourth Quarter Contest.

 

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