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!
Zac Gallen’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/lastgrippingchrysalis
Let’s be honest—I would be fired from Pitcher List if I did not include Zac Gallen in a Nastiest Pitches article at some point. One of the fantasy darlings going into this season has completely lived up to the hype, including in this start against Oakland where he went seven innings with only one run allowed and struck out eight Athletics. Among those strikeouts was this changeup down and away to Austin Allen getting him to chase and fail to hold up. I easily could have picked any of those strikeouts from last night, as his stuff was completely dominant.
Giovanny Gallegos‘ Slider
https://gfycat.com/bigheartedinferioramericanratsnake
After coming back from the COVID-19 Injured List, Giovanny Gallegos has stepped right back into high-leverage situations and is working his way to likely reclaiming the closer role. In the first game of Monday’s doubleheader, he came on to preserve the tie in the sixth and did just that striking out two in a hitless inning of relief, including this pitch to get Ian Happ. (h/t to PL+ member Ben Bingham).
Jordan Montgomery’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/equatorialwillingbats
Jordan Montgomery looked really good last night in his start against Boston, which unfortunately got shortened by a rain delay of about an hour and a half. In only 3.2 innings before the rain delay, Montgomery struck out four, including this curveball to get Jonathan Arauz swinging.
Touki Toussaint’s Curveball
https://gfycat.com/wastefulfavoriteelkhound
With the injuries that have taken place in the Braves’ rotation, some of their young starters have gotten more of a look in the rotation, and that includes Touki Toussaint. Though he had some command issues Monday night, walking six in three innings, he did flash the strikeout upside he supposedly had with four strikouts in three innings, including this curveball getting Adam Eaton out in front and down swinging. (h/t to PL+ member Cole Copeland).
Matthew Boyd’s Slider
https://gfycat.com/sardoniccolorlessasianwaterbuffalo
Another Pitcher List darling Matthew Boyd, had a very weird start Monday, giving up three home runs, but also striking out nine with a 29% CSW. His strikeouts showed some of the promise that fantasy players were hoping for, and among those was this slider down to Yasmani Grandal, getting him to swing over top.
Alex Reyes‘ Curveball
https://gfycat.com/anguishedsoliddassie
Getting a spot start during their doubleheader yesterday was Alex Reyes, and though he only ended up going one scoreless inning in more of an Opener role, he showed some flashes of his former top-prospect self with two strikeouts with his curveball. Here he was able to to get Javier Baez to fail to check his swing, sending him back to the dugout.
Ross Stripling’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/entireterrificchevrotain
Though the final line may not have been so pretty for Ross Stripling, allowing six earned runs in only three innings pitched, he finds his way into this article with a 94 mph fastball that painted the outside corner to catch Evan White looking.
Brandon Bielak’s Changeup
https://gfycat.com/weepydentalcony
While the Astros’ pitching staff has been hampered by injuries this season, it has allowed us to get a look at some younger pitchers that they have in the system. Included in these young pitchers is Brandon Bielak, who impressed in the third start of his career going six innings, giving up only one hit and striking out four. Among those strikeouts was this strikeout of Tony Wolters on the changeup, catching him out in front on the swing just flailing in an attempt to make contact.
Aroldis Chapman’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/anybetterindianspinyloach
Welcome back Aroldis Chapman! After his battle with COVID-19, he finally made is way back to the Yankee roster and found himself making his season debut Monday night. Though he gave up a run in the ninth, he reached 101 mph on his final pitch blowing a fastball by Rafael Devers and breaking into his iconic Chapman stare.
Alex Cobb’s Fastball
https://gfycat.com/miniaturenextisabellineshrike
The Orioles have been off to a surprisingly good start this season, with Alex Cobb anchoring their rotation and pitching pretty well to start the year. Though Monday night was not his best start, giving up five runs in 6.2 innings, he did strike out five. Among those strikeouts was this fastball spotted very nicely on the inside corner getting Teoscar Hernandez and his hot bat down swinging. (h/t to PL+ member Alex Tran).
GIF of the Night
Which was your favorite pitch? Vote below, and the winner may be featured in our Nastiest Pitches tournament midway through the season.
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Cobb’s pitch is a split fastball, worth pointing out and you can see the grip perfectly in the second replay.
To be fair, Reyes gave up a run, while un-earned, he did walk the bases loaded and then let a guy across on a wild pitch.