Jose Alvarado’s Fastball and the Nastiest Pitches from 4/3

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 First 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.

 

Jose Alvarado’s Fastball

 

https://gfycat.com/definitivecleanfanworms

 

I took three years of physics between high school and college combined, and I can say with absolute confidence that this 99 mph cheese from Jose Alvarado doesn’t make any sense. That kind of movement is nearly impossible to get at any velocity, and to see it coming in at 99 and from a left-hander? Whoowee, Charlie Blackmon didn’t have a chance. This is going to be a tough one to beat folks.

 

Luis Castillo’s Changeup

 

https://gfycat.com/grizzledfrenchcuckoo-luis-castillo-ch-4-3-19-pitcher-gifs

 

Luis Castillo’s changeup has been one of the more fun pitches in baseball over the past few seasons. Even though Castillo has had his struggles on the bump, it’s still enjoyable to watch him get massive swingthroughs from the Jesus Aguilar’s of the world, like he did here for one of his nine strikeouts.

 

Jonathan Loaisiga’s Fastball

 

https://gfycat.com/BetterSpeedyDanishswedishfarmdog

 

While it may not have the movement that Alvarado’s had, Johnny Lasagna sauced this pitch right on the outside black at a crispy 98 mph. Even the future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera had no choice but to watch that one for strike three.

 

Freddy Peralta’s Curveball

 

https://gfycat.com/wholegrandisabellinewheatear-freddy-peralta-cb-4-3-19-pitcher-gifs

 

Freddy Peralta was masterful on Wednesday, fanning 11 in eight innings against the Reds. Here is his filthy curveball to just paint the inside corner on a flummoxed Joey Votto, who could only do what he does best and take the pitch.

 

Jacob deGrom’s Slider

 

https://gfycat.com/PeskyFocusedDouglasfirbarkbeetle

 

Jacob deGrom picked up right where he left off this season, striking out 14 and giving up just one hit in seven masterful innings against the Triple-A Miami Marlins. Poor Chad Wallach didn’t have a chance against this 95 mph heat … Wait, that’s a slider? Oh.

 

Ross Stripling’s Curveball

 

https://gfycat.com/bruisedphysicalflyingsquirrel

 

Ross Stripling only struck out three in his barely quality start against the San Francisco Giants, but this absolute hammer deserves a spot on this list. Our poor hitter swung about 2 feet away from the pitch. Yikes.

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