The We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous day’s games every morning. If you see something you think should be included here, tweet @PitcherList to let us know. Or, if you’re a PL+ Member and part of our Discord, shout it out in the Nastiest Pitches channel.
Paul Skenes‘ Changeup
Michael Siani’s confusion is due to Paul Skenes‘ illusion. The Pirates pitcher pulled a rabbit out of a hat on this bewitching changeup to the Cardinals outfielder. The greatest trick to this pitch is that Skenes somehow puts vertical and horizontal movement on it while placing it exactly where catcher Yasmani Grandal wanted it. In an era of spin magicians, few twirl the ball like Skenes.
Aaron Civale’s Sweeper
Aaron Civale looked broken during his year-and-a-half-long stint in Tampa Bay, but he was the destroyer on Monday night. His first victim, Trae Turner, fell prey to this mesmerizing sweeper that slipped away from the shortstop like a daydream. Civale continued to plague the Phillies and collected six punchouts in his five frames.
Emmanuel Clase’s Cutter
Sometimes, we try to give words to a pitch’s greatness. But very few words, no matter their elegance or order, can describe this cutter from Emmanuel Clase. It’s careening downward at 100 miles per hour, flies like an alien spacecraft, and completely immobilizes Royce Lewis. Barry Bonds could’ve been in the batter’s box. It wouldn’t have changed anything because Clase is on another planet.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Slider
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is all the way back. Don’t just take our word for it. Ask Sean Murphy. Atlanta’s catcher channeled his inner Javier Baez while chasing this well-out-of-the-zone but nonetheless-gnarly slider.
Pablo López’s Changeup
It’s do-or-die for the Minnesota Twins, and Pablo López chose the former. The Twins hurler started the night right thanks to this changeup to Josh Naylor for a much-needed second out. A Lane Thomas ground out halted the threat but propelled Lopez forward. He’d garotte the Guardians and limit the Central-leading squad to two runs off eight hits and a pair of walks. Unfortunately for Lopez, the Twins chose a different path. Their bullpen blew the game in the eighth and squandered a much-needed win.
Shota Imanaga’s Splitter
Few things in life are certain except for death, taxes, and Shota Imanaga. The southpaw sealed his way onto Monday’s list courtesy of this stupid slider. While Daz Cameron looks the fool, this splitter would make anyone wear the jester’s hat. It’s a sentiment shared by many in Oakland’s dugout as Imanaga struck out 11.
Sean Manaea’s Changeup
Don’t look now, but Sean Manaea is a top-flight starter. The left-hander exhibited why on this looping changeup to Andrés Chaparro. It may not have hit in its intended landing zone, but Chapparro didn’t know the difference, nor would it have mattered. Holding the Nationals to one run over seven innings will only add to this growing reputation.
Jake Irvin’s Sinker
While Sean Manaea’s soared during the second half, the same can’t be said for Jake Irvin. The 27-year-old came into Monday’s matchup with the Mets sporting a 5.63 ERA over his last ten starts. That doesn’t mean Irvin can’t spin it, however. Watch the horizontal movement on this inside sinker to Francisco Alvarez. Irvin finished the night looking like his old self and limited the Amazins to one run over seven-and-a-third innings.
Andre Pallante’s Slider
Welcome to the Major Leagues, Nick Yorke. Andre Pallante greeted the Pirates prospect to the Show with this wake-up call of a slider. Calling this just a slider, however, belies its coffin-dropping curveball-esque fall. Yorke can take solace knowing he’s not the only Pirate Pallante punked. The right-hander registered nine strikeouts over his seven innings.
José Buttó’s Fastball
Okay, José Buttó. After an unsatisfactory string of outings, Butto rebounded on Monday. He pumps pure gas to Nasim Nunez with a 95-mile-per-hour rising heater seemingly bound for the stars. Nunez’s strikeout was the second of three Butto recorded in a shut-down strikeout the side eighth.
Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurtwasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram