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!
Shohei Ohtani’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/rawcheerfulafricanhornbill
The only thing not wonderful about this pitch is that it was Shohei Ohtani’s third straight strikeout of the inning and meant a cut to commercial. We all wanted to see the ridiculous movement on this 87 mph slider from all angles. Poor Santiago Espinal; clueless!
Alek Manoah’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/quickcomfortableasiaticmouflon
As good for the future MVP was for the Angels, young Alek Manoah was with him with quality every step of the way, striking out eight across seven dominant innings. This beautiful 94 mph sinker to dispose of Ryan Aguilar was sheer perfection.
Sandy Alcantara’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/keypastelanemoneshrimp
A complete game, in every sense of the phrase. A phenomenal nine dominant innings from Miami Marlins hotshot Sandy Alcantara, in which he picked up the win by striking out 10 in a Cy Young-worthy outing. Will Smith was caught looking at this banging 99 mph two-seamer with vicious movement. Beautiful.
Dustin May’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/bitterpitifuldrever
Talking of two-seamer nastiness, here is dynamic Dodgers young gun Dustin May with a ripping 97 mph sinker that Jon Berti pretty much closed his eyes on and swung for hope. Nasty!
Rich Hill’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/ashamedimmaterialballpython
Rich Hill is always good value for the occasional diamond outing. His seven innings against the Rays, in which he picked up the win by striking out 11 and allowing just three hits. This trademark 75 mph curveball to strike out Jose Siri was his best of the showing.
David Peterson’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/blandforcefulagama
Young Mets starter David Peterson has really grown into himself through the 2022 season. His seventh win of the year came on the back of a sensational shutout six innings in which he struck out seven, including Brendan Rodgers with this nasty 87 mph slider.
Luis Castillo’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/oblongnecessaryborderterrier
The ace of aces this season has been Luis Castillo. Whether it has been for the Reds or the Mariners, the enigmatic righty has felled hitters with aplomb with his amazing pitch mix. This devastating 91 mph changeup disappearing out the bottom of the zone was far too good for Oscar Gonzalez.
Brandon Woodruff’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/grandmessycommongonolek
Robbed of a win after his teammates decided to start scoring runs (seven of them) after Brandon Woodruff threw six sensational innings, striking out 11 and embarrassing Cubs hitters with his elite stuff. This perfectly located 97 mph sinker with vicious movement to strike out Willson Contreras was my pitch of the day.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)