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 Third 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.
Masahiro Tanaka’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/blankwarmaustralianfreshwatercrocodile
Long one of the best pitches in the game, Tanaka’s splitter is living up to it’s reputation. He’s experienced a resurgence this year and the Yankees couldn’t be happier.
Clayton Kershaw’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/orangetornabyssiniangroundhornbill
Well, Kershaw hasn’t gotten hurt (yet) this year. Guess what, when he’s healthy he’s a pretty damn good pitcher. This slider is vintage Kershaw, aimed directly at the back foot and pushing 90. Filth.
Luis Castillo’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/groundedunsteadyibizanhound
It’s no secret: I Love Luis Castillo. The movement on his pitches, his moxie on the mound, the fact that he is a good young pitcher on the Reds. I love all of it; except that he walks too many guys. If he can harness that control that he showed during the minors and his rookie year, this is a potential top 10 starter.
Jose Berrios’ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/oldfashionedvengefuldeer
You can say pretty much the same thing about Berrios as I did with Castillo. I love this guy, but he just needs to get over the hump into (super)stardom. The Twins deserve a true ace breakout.
Oliver Drake’s “Splitter”
https://gfycat.com/naturalgreathorsemouse
Ladies and gentlemen, I think we can give the “Pitch That Looks Like It Hurts Your Arm The Most” award to Oliver Drake! Congratulations, Oliver! Look at this thing. It’s like a sweeping lefty slider in movement. I have not watched much of Drake, but if he has his own (regular) slider, well, I’d love to see them over-layed.
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the Third Quarter Contest.
[polldaddy poll=10368510]
came here to vote for that nasty splitter
That’s the best pitch I’ve ever seen
That’s a screwball, isn’t it?
I believe it is a splitter grip but he gets that screwball movement from the extreme pronation of his arm. Wouldn’t surprise me to see it be labeled as a screwball, though.