Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through Spring Training 2021, the We Love Baseball crew reviews the Nastiest Pitches from the previous few days’ 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!
Yu Darvish’s Knuckle-Curve
https://gfycat.com/flatrichbadger
Watching Yu Darvish pitch majestically for the Padres will bring a tear to the eye of many Cubs fans; however, his future is in San Diego and if he decimates veteran hitters like Whit Merrifield with killer knuckle-curveballs like this then it will be a special year on the West Coast.
Logan Gilbert’s Four-Seam Fastball
https://gfycat.com/drearytediousamethystsunbird
The promising 6′ 6″ hard-throwing right-hander out of Stetson University impressed right out of the gate exhibiting all the traits of a front-end starter. The Mariners’ first-round pick from the 2018 draft wasted no time in painting the corners against David Fletcher with his four-seam fastball, which topped out at 97 mph at the alternate site last year. Lots to salivate over here.
Merrill Kelly’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/poshhoarseivorygull
Former-KBO star Merrill Kelly had a quietly impressive year in Arizona in 2020 after a mixed bag in his first MLB season in 2019. He threw 44 pitches over three innings of work against a strong Cubs lineup yesterday, the best being his last: a delightful 82 mph curveball inside to stump veteran Jason Heyward.
Adam Wainwright’s Cutter
https://gfycat.com/imperfectafraidladybug
There is a wily veteran that just won’t go away in St. Louis – 39-year old Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright was in the groove today and demolished Myles Straw with this filthy 84 mph cutter.
Lucas Giolito’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/similarfoolishdipper
Lucas Giolito, the big man from Burbank, looked in mid-season form against the Rockies today, his devastating changeup embarrassing young Sam Hilliard and forcing a cry of anguish. Nasty…but beautiful.