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!
Jacob deGrom’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/periodicaggressiveharpyeagle
deGoat looked like he was on his way to his first career perfect game, striking out eight of nine through three innings. But much to the chagrin of the Mets and fans alike, he exited the game with a shoulder injury. Womp womp. deGrom is at his peak right now, right up there with peak Pedro in 1999-2000 and peak Kershaw in the last decade. Whenever he returns, he’s must-see TV.
Lucas Giolito’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/aggravatingmeatybrahmanbull
You know your stuff is good when the batter gives up and throws his bat mid-swing. Seriously though, this changeup from Lucas Giolito is so so filthy. It’s almost as if it floats in the air forever and he dangles it along with a fishing line. I’d probably be throwing my bat around too.
Miguel Castro’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/shorttermuniquealpineroadguidetigerbeetle
Let’s break this GIF down in its entirety. First, a nasty slider from Miguel Castro bites the back knee of Jason Heyward. Next, Heyward’s swing. Very defensive, very last minute. Finally, the star of the GIF. Backwards helmet fist pump guy. This guy spent the last year of his life cooped up in his house (like the rest of us) and is finally feeling ALIVE again. We feel you buddy. We’re one of you. Enjoy yourself.
Sergio Romo’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/mindlessmintyatlasmoth
Sergio Romo, a guy known most around here for his filthy frisbee slider, dropped this absolute time of a changeup on Jared Walsh yesterday. Was this pitch thrown on Jupiter, where gravity is two and a half times what it is on Earth? Hah. Space joke. At least I didn’t say Uranus.
Aaron Bummer’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/saddarlingfly
Aaron Bummer throws one of the filthiest sliders in the league and you can’t argue with me. Not that you would though, because you probably agree with me. Francisco Mejía certainly would not argue with me after seeing the look on his face.
Evan Marshall’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/rapidunfoldedgoldfinch
Evan Marshall threw a 93 MPH sinker just a few pitches before that had the same movement in the same spot, so naturally he went back for the same result with a devastating changeup that made Randy Arozarena rethink his entire life.
Sandy Alcántara’s Sinker
https://gfycat.com/wavyincompletearthropods
Triple digit sinkers with a ton of horizontal movement will make my Nastiest Pitches every time. Every. Single. Time. Sandy Alcántara is an ace (and hopefully going gold in MLB The Show) and you should feel dope watching him pitch… Did I do that right?
Lucas Sims‘ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/joyfullawfulclownanemonefish
Tyler Mahle and Lucas Sims combined for 7.1 innings pitched and 16 strikeouts yesterday. Yes, 16. That is wild. The best of the day was this one by Sims to get out of the eighth, with added fist pump for good measure. Love it.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)