Pitcher List was founded on the back of filthy pitches, and we strive to bring you the best of the best every day. However, with over 70+ pitches featured every week, there are a lot to sort through. We ask you, the readers, to vote for your favorite every day, and now is your chance to crown the best of the week.
Every week, we will be featuring the top pitches from each day as voted on by the readers. Then, every Tuesday, you’ll have a chance to vote for your favorite for the week. Make your voice heard in the comments, on Twitter, and in our Discord for which pitch you think is the best!
4/12 – Diego Castillo’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/valuableunpleasantangelwingmussel
This is… wow. Every time I see this pitch I can’t believe my eyes. The movement on this pitch is absolutely insane and reminded some of a filthy pitch thrown by Daniel Bard back in 2010.
When Daniel Bard did this to @NickSwisher in 2010, it was like seeing Bigfoot in the wild. Now, Bigfoot just pops over for coffee once or twice a week. @PitchingNinja https://t.co/D7FAXY86O9 pic.twitter.com/wdUGdkzKuR
— The Diamond Engine (@diamond__engine) April 13, 2021
I can see the resemblance. I’d imagine that you’ll be seeing this pitch pop up around these parts for the rest of the year.
4/13 – Shane Bieber’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/pointedoptimalcow
Shane Bieber threw nine shutout innings on Tuesday and he had his knuckle-curve working all evening to the tune of a 48% CSW on 46 thrown. It was his most utilized pitch on the night, and one would think that batters would get used to seeing the pitch but, based on this wicked whiff by Yoán Moncada, that clearly didn’t happen.
4/14 – Blake Treinen’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/illiteratepoorgentoopenguin
Blake Treinen is known more for his nasty sinker, but while hitters are often looking for that he can sneak this ridiculous slider past them for a wicked whiff. And that’s exactly what happened here to Trevor Story in a game last Wednesday that the Dodgers would go on to win.
4/15 – Emmanuel Clase’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/impracticalhorriblejoey
Emmanuel Clase’s cutter is one of the filthiest pitches in baseball, hitting triple digit velocities while getting some nasty break as well. He threw this one down and away to a rookie hitter in Andrew Vaughn, which constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
4/15 – Julio Urías‘ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/enormousgreatkob
Julio Urías has finally blossomed into a reliable starter for the Dodgers after years of putting in work in the ‘pen and building up his arm. He’s been through some rough patches in his career due to injuries and such, but all of that hard work is finally paying off, and the curveball is an especially nasty weapon in his repertoire.
4/16 – Willians Astudillo’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/respectfuldisguisedarizonaalligatorlizard
This may have been the most fun inning of the entire week. Willians Astudillo pitched a perfect eighth inning in a blowout loss to the Angels, complete with a 72 MPH “heater” and this 46 MPH gem of a “curveball”. Luis Rengifo’s reaction to the pitch by standing in there and not moving a muscle may be my favorite part of the pitch. Just stunned confusion.
4/16 – Michael King’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/eminentgleefulleveret
This nasty sinker from Michael King got some wicked arm side movement and appeared to skirt its way back over the plate for strike three, but the umpire did not agree. Regardless of the call, the pitch was executed near perfectly and was absolutely filthy.
4/16 – Max Scherzer’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/leadingobesedaddylonglegs
Max Scherzer is proving all of the doubters wrong after many were down on him coming into 2021. He struck out ten batters on Friday night to pass Cy Young on the all time strikeouts list for 21st overall. Not too shabby for a pitcher who has more Cy Youngs (three) than the man himself (one, his name).
4/17 – Blake Treinen’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/harmoniousappropriatecommongonolek
I mentioned Blake Treinen’s filthy sinker earlier, and here’s a wonderful example of one. Falling out of the zone with insane glove side movement at 96 MPH seems impossible to hit, and Manny Machado may agree.
4/18 – Aaron Nola’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/heartybelovedherring
Finally, we have Aaron Nola’s changeup to finish off our week. This pitch from Sunday was part of his masterful complete game shutout performance that blanked the Cardinals. It’s easy to see why St. Louis hitters were so mystified all day when Nola is throwing this filth.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)