Every week, we review the nastiest pitches from the previous week in glorious HD GIFs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite pitch and check back on Saturday to see if it will be in contention during the August GIF Tournament. Week 19’s winner was Luis Castillo’s Changeup. Castillo’s change piece is one of the best in the game today.
Did we miss your favorite pitch? Send us a tweet next time @PitcherList and we’ll GIF it up + give you a shoutout here in the article.
Yu Darvish’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/WideeyedAdventurousBarebirdbat
Due to the lack of stellar pitching tonight, Yu Darvish gets two shoutouts. Maybe if the Yankees didn’t surrender 19 runs, or if the Dodgers didn’t allow 13 to the Marlins, a pitcher from one of those teams would be here. But, no, those pitching staffs failed us yesterday, so here’s a wicked curve courtesy of Darvish.
Adam Ottavino’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/ambitiousincompleteafricangroundhornbill
Adam Ottavino kept his potential Mariano Rivera Award run going on Wednesday, recording the single out he was called into action for via the strikeout. He sports an impressive 12.56 K/9 and an even more impressive 1.70 ERA, though his usage means he’s only recorded two saves. Not every acquisition made by the Yankees has panned out so far (See: James Paxton), but Ottavino has blown away expectations in the Bronx, with said results landing somewhere in Brooklyn, more accurately.
Chaz Roe’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/FairWaryIndianpalmsquirrel
Alright, I didn’t plan on this because it’s currently 1 a.m. as I write this. However, Chaz Roe is on the mound, so obviously, this is going to have to be added. If you didn’t know already, Roe has been dominating hitters with his wicked slider that gets an average 23 inches of horizontal movement per Baseball Savant. So here it is, an absolutely soul-crushing slider to Eric Hosmer.
Felipe Vazquez’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/sickthinkilldeer
As a change of pace from the mostly disappointing crop of seasons from today’s pitchers, Felipe Vazquez has continued his run as one of the absolute best relievers in baseball, bearing a 1.75 ERA while striking out a ridiculous 14.1 batters per 9. It’s crazy to think just a few weeks ago, we were talking about the possibility of him being traded. Since 2017 he owns a 2.08 ERA and he’s been worth every penny of the big extension the Bucs signed him to.
Luis Castillo’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/DaringAbleLeopard
It’s no secret that Luis Castillo loves his changeup. The Reds’ ace used the pitch to finish five of his eight strikeouts yesterday. The change has propelled Castillo into the upper echelon of major league pitchers and has helped him produce a 10.77 K/9 this season. Here, the pitch gets Kyle Schwarber whiffing as it starts out inside on the lefty before breaking to the outer edge of the zone.
Kirby Yates‘ Splitter
https://gfycat.com/craftyconventionalabyssiniangroundhornbill
Finally getting the opportunity to be a dedicated closer after six seasons in the MLB, Kirby Yates has established himself as a certifiable force of nature, having one of the best seasons by a reliever in recent history. His 33 saves pace the Senior Circuit, and his ERA is a microscopic 1.16. Toss in a 14.46 K/9, because facing him wasn’t already unfair enough, and it would be an absolute travesty if Yates didn’t bring home the Trevor Hoffman Award at seasons’ end, and he’s making a very strong case for even a Cy Young nod.
Trevor Bauer’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/pointlesslegalbrocketdeer
Trevor Bauer’s second start as a Red went much better than his first, as he cruised to 11 K’s and just three hits allowed over 7 IP. The standoffish Bauer wore out his welcome in Cleveland, but a Reds team looking to make a playoff run this year was more than happy to take him off the Indians’ hands. It’s been an up and down season for Bauer, but he owns a 3.09 ERA in a pair of starts for Cincy.
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below and the winner may be featured in the August GIF Tournament.
[polldaddy poll=10387395]
Graphic by Michael Haas (@digitalHaas on Twitter)