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 September Nastiest Pitches GIF Tournament. 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.
James Paxton’s Knuckle Curve
https://gfycat.com/insignificantnegativebeaver
Paxton has had an up and down inaugural year for the Bombers – a 3.88 ERA and peripherals to match – but he has been on fire down the stretch. Since August 2nd he has run a 2.25 ERA, .92 WHIP and – get this – 10 straight wins! This piece of filth is the backbone to his repertoire; as long as he can stay healthy Paxton will be the Yankees horse.
Stephen Strasburg’s 1-2-3
https://gfycat.com/digitalpassionateleonberger
https://gfycat.com/alarmedrepentantblackfly
https://gfycat.com/vapidminiaturedassie
What a brilliant year for Strasburg. Max Scherzer has been in and out of the lineup due to injury, but no bother, Stras’ has picked up the slack and then some. He has always been good, but before this year (in which he has 203 innings) has only been able to keep himself on the mound for over 200 innings once in his career. This trio of pitches is just insane. Same spot, back to back to back. Neil Walker’s reaction says it all.
Junior Fernandez’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/adoredthirstydogwoodtwigborer
My word. Fernandez has been stellar in his 9+ innings with the big club this year and even better in the minors. It isn’t hard to see why. When a hitter as accomplished as Kris Bryant does a double take you know its good.
Jesus Luzardo’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/grandancientkob
Well this kid is making a name for himself. Between him and A.J. Puk, the Athletics are becoming one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the game.
Tyler Glasnow’s Curve
https://gfycat.com/shamefulimportantbrontosaurus
Thank God this guy is healthy. He really is a joy to watch. He mixes unhittable curves like this one with near 100 MPH gas; as if that wasn’t enough, he also has a burgeoning changeup. If he can get that change to respectable levels he will battle for Cy Youngs. Just. Stay. Healthy.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the September Nastiest Pitches GIF Tournament.
[polldaddy poll=10414486]
I get such a kick out of your nasty pitch list. I don’t know a ton about the pitches and what each one is supposed to do so i really like it when you describe the action on each one or what qualifies it as”nasty”