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!
Aaron Civale’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/euphoricpoorlaughingthrush
It was a mix of ups and downs for Aaron Civale in his season debut against the Royals on Monday. While striking out three in his 3.1 innings pitched, he allowed four runs and 7 baserunners. One of the highlights of this start was this slider to send Carlos Santana down swinging during one of his many jams he found himself in.
Adrian Houser’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/secondhandimpressivehumpbackwhale
In a Brewers’ rotation that features several Cy Young award candidates, Adrian Houser finds himself overlooked for the consistency he brought last year to the back end of that rotation. In his season debut on Monday, he struck out three including this curveball dropping down and forcing Cedric Mullins to swing overtop.
Aaron Ashby’s Slider
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https://gfycat.com/femininepowerlessgreatdane
Aaron Ashby was filthy coming in relief of Adrian Houser on Monday, throwing 3.2 scoreless innings with four punch-outs and a 29% CSW. Apologies to Cedric Mullins for featuring him twice in this post, but Ashby featured a 47% on his slide, flashing the elite stuff that was raved about all offseason, including this slider to force and awkward check swing for Mullins.
Nick Sandlin’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/gleamingfamousassassinbug
One of the best parts of this article is finding pitchers who we are not as familiar with such as Nick Sandlin in that Cleveland bullpen. In his 1.2 perfect innings of relief to hold the lead for Cleveland, his lone strikeout came on this nasty slider moving to the other batter’s box to send Michael A. Taylor down swinging. (H/T to PL+ member burial)
Taijuan Walker’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/enlightenedscaryeastsiberianlaika
Prior to leaving with a shoulder injury, Taijuan Walker was very nasty on Monday throwing two perfect innings with four strikeouts. Among these was this splitter down and away causing the reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper to go down swinging.
Alex Manoah’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/saferadiantiriomotecat
Alek Manoah prevailed in Monday’s pitcher’s duel with Jameson Tailon with six one hit innings and seven strikeouts, continuing from his great rookie season last year. Manoah started his great start off right with this 96 mph fastball up causing DJ LeMahieu to swing right through it. (H/T to PL+ Member Matt Thomas)
Paul Blackburn’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/nastyofficialbunting
Paul Blackburn came out of nowhere on Monday with five shutout innings and a whopping 38% CSW in the win over the Rays. His curveball made several Tampa Bay hitters look foolish with its 47% CSW, but maybe none more than Francisco Mejía on this down and in curve to send him down swinging.
Dylan Bundy’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/unlawfulhauntinggrebe
Former Pitcher List darling Dylan Bundy had himself a solid Minnesota debut on Monday with five shutout innings in the win over the Mariners. Part of what let him be this good was his changeup as seen here fading down and away to send Cal Raleigh down swinging.
Alex Wood’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/helplessredeyra
Alex Wood battled through 4.1 innings on Monday striking out six Padres in the no decision, keeping the Giants close. As part of his 35% CSW, this nasty slider down and away to Eric Hosmer helped him get closer to working out of the jam.
Nick Martinez’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/thoughtfulglaringchihuahua
Of all the pitchers who threw on Monday, Nick Martinez was the one who drew the most discussion in our PL+ discord. Martinez really raised some eyebrows in his five strong innings with a CSW of 40%. This cutter inside to Steven Duggar which he swung through was arguably the nastiest of the night for him, but there’s a case for many other pitches he threw in the Padres’ eventual win. (H/T to PL+ member Pete Dixon).
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)