Every morning, the We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous day’s games in glorious high-definition GIFs. We want to bring you the highest caliber of nastiness possible, so if you see a nasty pitch, please tell us about it. You can tweet @PitcherList to let us know and we’ll give you a shout-out here in the article if your tip makes the cut.
As a bonus for PL+ members, let us know about a pitch on the PL+ Discord in the Nasty Pitches Channel, and if your suggestion is included the next day, you’ll be entered into a weekly drawing for a free T-shirt!
Tanner Houck’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/warlikethisatlanticblackgoby
“The Incredible Houck” gave up his first career earned run in this one, but his incredible slider was the star of the show as he struck out 10 batters over six innings on Saturday. The pitch had a 46% CSW and there multiple nasty options to choose from, but this one to Travis d’Arnaud was easily the filthiest. He’s got a bright future as a starter in Boston, and if he can add a second off-speed offering over the offseason he could blossom into a star.
Miguel Castro’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/requiredgracefulafricanrockpython
Miguel Castro’s filthy sinker once again makes it into ‘Nastiest Pitches’ and it’s quickly becoming a staple around these parts. This thing is 99 MPH, starts down the middle of the plate, and ends up six inches outside the zone just beyond the flailing whiff by Brock Holt. This isn’t the last we’ll see of Castro in this one…
Joe Musgrove’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/weepylimitedindianrockpython
Joe Musgrove did today what many of us wish he had done more often in 2020 – dominate. He threw seven spectacular innings, allowing only three hits while striking out a smooth ten batters. The curveball and its’ 56% CSW shined all night long, mystifying Indians hitters from beginning to end including this filthy offering to end the third inning against José Ramírez.
Luis Castillo’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/unfoldedhothoopoe
So I’m gonna let you in on a little secret here – this pitch was actually called a ball. Yeah, I’m cheating a bit, but they give me some creative freedom around here so I’m throwing this one in. You can’t deny that the pitch had some nasty movement, and I don’t blame Luis Castillo for thinking he had strike three as the pitch juuuuust barely missed the corner. He had a few sinkers that did end up as strikes, but this one took the cake.
Jacob deGrom’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/giganticheavenlyanteater
Jacob deGrom had his fastball working on Saturday – pumping it in the zone at 102 (!!) MPH at one point – but it was his slider that achieved a ridiculous 44% CSW on 41 thrown. This one painted the corner for a called strike that Juan Soto did not agree with, and deGrom would go on to strike Soto out later on in the at bat. Soto would have the last laugh as the Nationals would end up winning the game, but deGrom struck out 10 over five innings of work. There’s talk going around that deGrom didn’t have enough to take the Cy Young award away from Trevor Bauer, but I thought he did enough and he’s still #MyCy.
Miguel Castro’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/briskterrificgharial
And here’s Miguel Castro again with a devastating 92 MPH changeup that struck out Luis García. Castro’s changeup has a 17.7% SwStr rate on the season and I honestly would swing at it 100/100 times. I know that’s not saying much since I’m just another armchair DH who struggled fielding fly balls in Little League, but these professional hitters make it look so easy sometimes, and to see them whiff on a pitch nearly one in five times is extraordinary. Hats off to Miguel Castro for earning a late inning role with the Mets this season, largely in part due to this filthy pitch.
Aaron Bummer’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/smoothdependableamericansaddlebred
Whenever I see Aaron Bummer’s name pop up on Fangraphs’ Live Leaderboard, I know I’ll be able to GIF a filthy slider. He sure delivered on Saturday night with this nasty offering to Billy Hamilton. The Cubs went on to lose the game, but thanks to the Brewers’ win in St. Louis they still clinched the NL Central just a few moments before this pitch was thrown.
Deivi Garcia’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/majesticcheapbackswimmer
Deivi Garcia gave up four runs in 6.2 innings on Saturday but was bailed out by the Yankee’s bats, who scored 10 runs for him en route to a blowout win for the rookie. The curveball was an effective weapon in the outing, generating a 32% CSW on 19 thrown including this one to strike out Matt Joyce. Deivi should have a rotation spot locked up for 2021, and he’s going to be an exciting pitcher to watch next year and beyond in the Bronx.
Adam Ottavino’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/miserlygeneralcoypu
We finish today’s Nastiest Pitches with two of the nastiest pitches in baseball. First, this slider by Adam Ottavino gets some nasty break to avoid the bat of Lewis Brinson…
Luis Castillo’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/courageousselfreliantacouchi
… while this Luis Castillo changeup may have actually broken Ehire Adrianza. Filthy, filthy stuff.