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!
Zach Thompson’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/obedientniftyimago
Rookie Miami Marlins starter Zach Thompson is having a nice first foray into Major League Baseball. He picked up the win yesterday to improve to 2-2 with a 2.00 ERA and now has 25 strikeouts across 18 innings. He throws his cut-fastball 39% of the time and it is particularly effective against lefties. This perfectly placed 87 mph cutter jelly-legged Kyle Schwarber yesterday.
Logan Gilbert’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/smoothzanybarbet
Sadly, the enticing matchup between veteran Lance Lynn and rookie Logan Gilbert was curtailed in the third inning due to inclement weather. There was enough time for Gilbert to come out and pitch an unbelievably good first inning. He set up Brian Goodwin with a 95 mph fastball high and inside that the White Sox outfielder swung at about 2 seconds after it hit the glove. He then struck him out on the next pitch by unleashing this perfect 80 mph changeup on the outside of the plate. This kid is the real deal. PL+ member Matt Nielsen also thought this pitch was seriously nasty.
Framber Valdez’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/jovialhandsomefallowdeer
Last week’s article featured Framber Valdez’s curveball that darts inside and low to the right-hander – it is pretty much unhittable when executed well. This is his back door curveball that still needs some fine-tuning. He has been leaving over the plate a little, but yesterday he executed it perfectly to Miguel Cabrera. Miggy gave up on this 78 mph effort the moment it left Framber’s hand. Sensational.
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Casey Mize’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/firsthanddarkkrill
The bread and butter for Detroit’s new great pitching hope, Casey Mize, is his phenomenal splitter. Here’s an 83 mph splitter that bamboozled Kyle Tucker yesterday. Thanks to PL+ member nvita for the nod on this one.
Lance Lynn’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/acrobaticquestionablefieldspaniel
The “King of the Cutter” Lance Lynn with an 89 mph king cutter to dispose of Shed Long Jr.– Watch. Admire. Refresh. Repeat.
Merrill Kelly’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/selfishprestigiouseyelashpitviper
You have to feel a little bit sorry for Merrill Kelly, who has pitched significantly better than his 4-7 record would suggest. Pitching on a hapless Diamondbacks team is the main factor, obviously. The caliber of teams in the division doesn’t help either. Yesterday, however, it mattered none. Kelly was superb through six innings against the Padres and struck out five. The best was thanks to this 88 mph changeup to Jurickson Profar.
Nathan Eovaldi’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/alivegrizzledlangur
It was a masterclass on the mound from Red Sox ace Nathan Eovaldi, who went a hitter short of eight innings and struck out six. He did not allow a walk and gave up just one run, a solo home run to his last hitter. Eovaldi also managed to make Giancarlo Stanton look silly with this delightful 80 mph disappearing curveball. A good night all around for Boston.
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Kyle Gibson’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/playfulchubbyasiantrumpetfish
Take a bow, Kyle Gibson! The veteran starter has been lights out for the dismal Rangers this season and notched his sixth win and 12th quality start of the season against the Royals yesterday. He struck out 10 batters and was aggressive from the outset. Come for the perfectly placed 93 mph sinker to Salvador Perez, stay for Kyle’s joyful reaction.
Shane McClanahan’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/flashyfixedinganue
So, bad news MLB hitters, Shane McClanahan seems to have developed an elite curveball to go with his ridiculously amazing slider. Here it is in action – a beautiful 84 mph curveball with a serious bite to strike out Phil Gosselin. Do you think Shane enjoyed it?!
Lance McCullers’ Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/identicalsmugisabellineshrike
Oh man, do I love a knuckle curveball! Lance McCullers duly obliged yesterday with this wonderful 86 mph knuckle-curve to fell Willi Castro.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)
Isn’t McClanahan’s “curve” just a slightly different slider/slurve? One with more drop and less ride? I know there’s a fine line between the two, but we’re not getting a decent grip view in that GIF. I think it’s pretty much his slider. Velo tells me as much too. Looks like he’s manipulating his SL kinda like Scherzer does. It’s still devastatig as hell, and makes him even more disgustingly filthy, but I doubt that’s coming out of a curve grip.
Gilberts change was pretty. My favorite of the bunch, so thanks for that, Matt Nielsen.
Yeah, DB. I looked for some different angles of the grip but couldn’t get a clear look. I’ll be watching for a better view on his next start for sure.
Gilbert is a guy I’ll be tuning in for going forward, no doubt!