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.
Rich Hill’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/BarrenComplexAmericancicada
Umm, Rich… You aren’t supposed to show up your fellow pitcher (Joey Lucchesi) like that. A good curve from Hill features an eye-popping amount of movement, so when he can place it the results are spectacular. This one starts behind Lucchesi and just nabs the black- no lefty is hitting this pitch.
Jake Arrieta’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/AbandonedSimilarBeaver
Carter Kieboom saw three pitches in this at bat: change, front door curve and this piece of filth. Jake Arrieta is now more of an innings eater than the stud that he was in Chicago, but he’s still got a few tricks up his sleeve.
Brad Hand’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/UnsteadyShoddyBordercollie
Hand was very good in this one, closing out the Indians in order. I could’ve chosen 2 or 3 very good sliders (he has a beaut), but his fastball needs more love. It’s not overpowering, but it comes from the same slot as his slider, and has enough velo that hitters have to respect it. When he can paint down and away with his 1, the opposition is in for a tough 9th. BONUS: Pissed Jay Bruce.
Trevor Richards‘ Changeup
https://gfycat.com/UntidyBlondCalf
Richards’ change is becoming more well known as one of the best in baseball; the late depth it exhibits is devastating on lefties like our friend Brian McCann here. Richards has struggled thus far this year, as he needs to improve upon his other pitches to give his change a chance to impress.
Mike Soroka’s 2-Seamer
https://gfycat.com/FalseUnevenAquaticleech
So Mike Soroka throws at least 3 different fastballs. A 2-seamer, a turbo 2-seamer and a four seamer. He showed so much polish in today’s start; he is adept at changing speeds, locations and sequences of his pitches. It was very impressive to watch. Lets just say that Brian Anderson probably wouldn’t agree with me. He doesn’t offer more than a wave at this 2-seamer biting in on his hands.
Carlos Carrasco’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/SoreCostlyFish
Cookie was eating today. 9Ks and all of his pitches looked sharp. Dan “Big Dan” Vogelbach put up an excellent fight in this AB, but you can’t be mad at this if you’re him – a Carrasco slider is one of the best pitches in baseball. Maybe next time, Daniel.
Once again, thank you to Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja on Twitter) for opening our eyes to some of these GIFs. Give him a follow if you haven’t already!
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner will be featured in the GIF of the First Quarter Contest.
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