Every morning, the We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous day’s games. If you see something you think should be included here be sure to 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.
Taj Bradley’s Splitter
Taj Bradley’s splitter had so much life Monday night it could’ve composed this entire list. Sadly for it and us, we’re limited to this first-inning punchout against Jorge Polanco. Despite being an 11-year veteran, Polanco looked as stupefied as a second-grader trying to decipher Sanskrit. Bradley rode his splitter all night. And why shouldn’t he? Six of his eight strikeouts Monday came courtesy of it.
Tanner Bibee’s Slider
Oh, baby. Tanner Bibee had it all against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. Just ask Jordan Westburg. The Orioles infielder fell prey to this gorgeous slider that spins like a top into the zone. Though Baltimore retaliated throughout, Bibbe limited them to one earned run on five hits while striking out seven over six innings.
Cade Povich’s Sweeper
While Cade Povich failed to shine as often as Bibee, the 24-year-old looked just as sharp at times. The 24-year-old opts for a back-door sweeper here that catches Josh Naylor unaware and late. Povich finished his night with a loss but struck out five and walked just one over his six innings.
Scott Barlow’s Curveball
Scott Barlow got the honors and finished what Bibee started. His weapon of choice? A 3-2 curveball to Cedric Mullins with as much movement as an Olympian’s FitBit. Down goes the Orioles, and up goes the Guardians, who quietly hold the second-best record in baseball.
Cole Ragans‘ Fastball
There’s elevated fastballs, and then there’s this. Cole Ragans redefined the term against Jake Burger in the first with a volcanic fastball that starts chest-high and ends near Burger’s neck. Burger didn’t mind, nor did his bat and its impossible mission of making contact. Ragans cut through the Marlins like a boat propeller through water, striking out 11 and coaxing 24 swinging strikes while coughing up one run over six innings.
Garrett Crochet’s Slider
The Chicago White Sox have many, many, many faults. Trying to list them all requires an Excel sheet on a supercomputer. One of the few names absent from this gargantuan Google file would be Garrett Crochet. The 25-year-old showcased why against Jason Heyward Jr. with a pinpoint slider that looks shot off a pool cue.
Aaron Nola’s Knuckle Curve
Three things are certain: Death, taxes, and a dose of Aaron Nola’s knuckle curve. Colt Keith discovered these universal truths the hard way, chasing this knuckle curve that swoops into the zone like a bald eagle after a fish. Nola started with Keith but didn’t stop with him. The right-hander held the Tigers to one run over his seven-inning and six-strikeout performance. It was the type of start that’d even make Benjamin Franklin proud.
Trent Thornton’s Sweeper
Sometimes, a nasty pitch is as obvious as being hit in the head. Or, in Randy Arozarena’s case, it’s as obvious as a bat slipping out of your hand.
Tanner Houck’s Slider
While the Red Sox hosted the NBA Championship-winning Celtics, Tanner Houck hosted the Toronto Blue Jays to an offensive-inert game. The staunch southpaw allowed just four hits, one walk, and two runs while striking out seven across six-and-two-thirds innings. No strikeout was sweeter than this slider that starts near Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s knees before landing in the strike zone.
Fernando Cruz’s Splitter
Fernando Cruz’s splitter is still one of the best pitchers in the game. The 34-year-old showed off his splitter Monday night. First up, Yasmani Grandal. The veteran catcher looked as lost as a two-year-old in the Mall of America’s toy department. Next up, Bryan Reynolds and Rowdy Tellez, both of whom suffered a similar fate as Grandal. Cruz is now up to 51 strikeouts with his splitter. Expect that number to rise, baseball. You’ve been warned.
Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurtwasemiller on Twitter / @kurt_player02 on Instagram