Spring training is just around the corner, but we can’t last that long without another GIF tournament. We’re only human. So we’ve put together a 32-pitch free-for-all featuring eight pitches each from 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
In a battle of timeless GIFs versus instant classics, you decide where these knee-buckling breaking balls and NOS-powered fastballs rank. But there can only be one GIF that stands above the rest in the Nastiest 32 Pitching GIFs from 2015 to 2018 Tournament (sort of like the movie Highlander). Thirty-two pitches entered the tournament, you all sent 16 home packing, then eight more, and then another four on Wednesday. Sensing a pattern? And no, they’re not all winners; this isn’t that kind of tournament. There are four pitches left. You get to pick two.
Here are the rules:
- All GIFs were pulled from the winners and top finishers in GIF tournaments from 2015 through 2018.
- You can only vote on a matchup once, so make sure you pick the one you absolutely want. No take-backsies (very strict policy).
- Voting will continue until 12:00 a.m. EST the following morning. This is the Semi-Finals.
Graphic by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)
Here are the results for Round 1:
American Bracket
Chris Sale’s Slider 2018 defeated Drew Storen’s Slider 2016
Steven Wright’s Knuckleball 2016 defeated Jose Berrios’ Curveball 2018
Lance McCullers’ Fastball 2017 defeated Blake Treinen’s Slider 2018
Clayton Kershaw’s Curveball 2015 defeated Jose Berrios’ Curveball 2017
Chaz Roe’s Slider 2016 defeated R.A. Dickey’s Knuckleball 2015
Justin Verlander’s Curveball 2017 defeated Core Kluber’s Slider 2017
Aaron Sanchez’s Fastball 2015 defeated Aaron Nola’s Fastball 2017
Dylan Maples’ Slider 2018 defeated Rich Hill’s Curveball 2015
National Bracket
Marcus Stroman’s Slider 2017 defeated Lance McCullers’ Fastball 2018
Steven Wright Knuckleball 2015 defeated Blake Treinen’s Fastball 2018
Aroldis Chapman’s Fastball 2016 defeated Noah Syndergaard’s Fastball 2016
Clayton Kershaw’s Curveball 2016 defeated Aaron Sanchez’s Fastball 2.0 2016
Chris Sale’s Slider 2016 defeated Aroldis Chapman’s Slider 2017
Noah Syndergaard’s Fastball 2015 defeated Aroldis Chapman’s Fastball 2018
Adam Ottavino’s Slider 2018 defeated Gerrit Cole’s Fastball 2015
Aaron Sanchez’s Fastball 2016 defeated Blake Treinen’s Fastball 2017
Here are the results for Round 2:
American Bracket
Clayton Kershaw’s Curveball 2015 defeated Chris Sale’s Slider 2018
Steven Wright’s Knuckleball 2016 defeated Lance McCullers’ Fastball 2017
Chaz Roe’s Slider 2016 defeated Dylan Maples’ Slider 2018
Aaron Sanchez’s Fastball 2015 defeated Justin Verlander’s Curveball 2017
National Bracket
Marcus Stroman’s Slider 2017 defeated Clayton Kershaw’s Curveball 2016
Aroldis Chapman’s Fastball 2016 defeated Steven Wright Knuckleball 2015
Chris Sale’s Slider 2016 defeated Aaron Sanchez’s Fastball 2016
Noah Syndergaard’s Fastball 2015 defeated Adam Ottavino’s Slider 2018
Here are the results for Round 3:
American Bracket
Steven Wright’s Knuckleball 2016 defeated Clayton Kershaw’s Curveball 2015
Chaz Roe’s Slider 2016 defeated Aaron Sanchez’s Fastball 2015
National Bracket
Aroldis Chapman’s Fastball 2016 defeated Marcus Stroman’s Slider 2017
Chris Sale’s Slider 2016 defeated Noah Syndergaard’s Fastball 2015
Here are the matchups for Round 4:
American Bracket
Chaz Roe’s Slider 2016 vs. Steven Wright’s Knuckleball 2016
National Bracket
Chris Sale’s Slider 2016 vs. Aroldis Chapman’s Fastball 2016
Watch the GIFs in the Links Below!
Chaz Roe isn’t a novelty pitcher, but his slider is without question a novelty pitch. There are multiple guys who throw intense sliders, but you’d be hard-pressed to find one with as much movement as Roe’s. However, he has to face a novelty pitcher in the semis. Steven Wright’s knuckleball might be the best of all time. Call it a hot take, but have you ever seen a knuckleball break as late and violently as his? The answer is no because Wright is revolutionizing the knuckleball. Lucky you, you have to pick which one of these is better than the other!
Chaz Roe’s Slider 2016 vs. Steven Wright’s Knuckleball 2016
VS.
[polldaddy poll=10227083]
Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs with two guys who went on to bigger and better baseball markets in Boston and New York, respectively. No amount of humor or smooth talk can manipulate anyone at this point in the tournament. Everyone knows this Chris Sale slider is one of the dumbest pitches of all time. Unless absolute gas is your thing. Then I guess you have to go with Aroldis Chapman’s fastball. Something tells me most will vote for the player on the team they hate the least, which has to be Sale on the White Sox because who honestly cares about the White Sox?
Chris Sale’s Slider 2016 vs. Aroldis Chapman’s Fastball 2016
VS.
Which was the better pitch? Vote to decide which pitch advances to the next round!
[polldaddy poll=10227085]
Best pitcher to date