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.
Paul Skenes‘ Splitter
Paul Skenes was as advertised for four stellar innings before running into trouble in the fifth. The pitch mix was fantastic and the stuff was electric. No pitch was better than this 95 mph split-finger fastball to strikeout Yan Gomes, the seventh strikeout of his brilliant debut. Just a shame we only got one angle of it. Watch this space, like always!
Max Fried’s Curveball
12-6 curveballs from Max Fried are simply drops from heaven and this 76 mph off-speed delight completely bamboozled Harrison Bader. Mad Max threw seven no-hit innings and was simply phenomenal.
Christian Scott’s Four-Seam Fastball
After an impressive MLB debut against the Rays, Mets No. 6 Prospect Christian Scott followed it up with some nasty stuff against Atlanta. Scott struck out Ronald Acuña Jr. twice but the elite movement on this 94 mph heater really caught the eye to fell Jarred Kelenic.
Taijuan Walker’s Cutter
A truly professional and efficient performance from veteran Taijuan Walker, whose enticing 86 mph cut-fastball to Bryan De La Cruz in the first inning was just lovely. A perfectly located pitch for the strikeout.
Jordan Romano’s Slider
Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano has been on fire since returning from the injured list. Romano has five saves in the past month and struck out two in this impressive display. A perfect 88 mph slider low and just outside the plate gave him the soul of Ryan Jeffers to keep.
Joey Estes‘ Changeup
Welcome to The Show, Joey Estes. The quietly impressive Athletics may have unearthed another diamond in the rough with the crafty righty, who dazzled with five strikeouts across five frames in his Major League debut. This beauty of a changeup was far too good for Jorge Polanco at 87 mph.
Bryce Miller’s Splitter
The Mariners’ offense could do nothing against the Estes-led A’s and in doing so wasted a gem of an outing from Bryce Miller, who struck out nine across six innings. Six of those were thanks to his elite split-finger fastball, which was on song from the off as shown by this first-inning strikeout of Abraham Toro.
Tarik Skubal’s Changeup
Poetry in motion from Tarik Skubal as he struck out Jon Singleton with this devastating 88 mph changeup for his seventh strikeout of the game. Is there a better pitcher in baseball right now?
Matt Waldron’s Knuckleball
Oh Matt, how do we love thee? Let me count the ways… One, your Knuckleball! That’s it, that’s the sonnet.