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.
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Carlos Carrasco’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/rewardingaffectionatehartebeest
The New York Mets have found value in their veteran starters this season and none other than Carlos Carrasco is leading the way. Carrasco picked up his 11th win of the season after allowing just four hits through seven and two thirds scoreless innings against the Marlins. Carrasco struck out seven, including Lewin Díaz with this delightful 86 mph changeup low and away in the zone. Just perfect.
Corey Kluber’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/tametidygnat
Veteran Corey Kluber is loving his improved changeup these days and the Rays are thrilled it has become a swing-and-miss pitch. Steven Kwan hardly strikes out so that tells you how good this 83 mph change is, dropping vehemently down and out of the zone late.
Clarke Schmidt’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/illustriouspointedgreatwhiteshark
This is a dirty, nasty slider from Yankees long reliever Clarke Schmidt, who tossed three valuable innings and struck out hitters five times to ensure the Yankees rolled on to their 69th win of the season. Rookie MJ Melendez took the bait on this hard 88 mph slider low and disappearing from the zone.
Framber Valdez’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/agedflimsyalpineroadguidetigerbeetle
Houston’s king of the curve strikes again as unheralded starter Framber Valdez schooled young Julio Rodríguez all afternoon with his pitch mix. After previously striking out the young outfielder with a curveball, Valdez returned in the fifth to throw three straight changeups before nailing the Mariner with this exquisite 81 mph curveball low and inside. Check the break on that ball, straight nasty!
Tyler Mahle’s Splitter
https://gfycat.com/shamelessskinnybear
Adley Rutschman hasn’t seen many split-finger fastballs like this one in the minor leagues. The young Orioles catcher had no answers from the late movement on this ripping 89 mph splitter from Reds starter Tyler Mahle, who registered his 11th straight out with this pitch.
Sonny Gray’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/fewdefenselessamericancrow
This is about as perfectly located a pitch as you will ever see from Sonny Gray. The Twins starter earned his sixth win of the season thanks to a stellar outing against the Padres. Austin Nola was completely baffled by this 94 mph two-seam fastball that kisses the bottom outside corner of the zone.
Paul Blackburn’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/peacefulinfinitefinwhale
Looking desperately like a curveball, Oakland’s All-Star pitcher Paul Blackburn jelly-legged Eloy Jiménez with this perfectly executed 85 mph cutter that just about nicks the outside corner of the strike zone. Beautiful!
Ian Anderson’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/illinformedajarbellfrog
Atlanta’s Ian Anderson is one of the most effective users of the changeup in baseball, as shown in yesterday’s win over the Diamondbacks. Anderson struck out nine including five with the change. Christian Walker had no chance with this perfectly placed x mph changeup. Lovely stuff.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)