We’ve grown so accustomed to seeing big-league closers shut down games with triple-digit fastballs (and sinkers!) that you really have to appreciate what Astros reliever Ryan Pressly has done this season.
Pressly has a fastball that typically tops out at a 95 or 96 mph, but he makes up for that just-above-MLB-average velo with the highest spin rates any batter will face this season. Even with MLB cracking down on sticky substances, Pressly’s spin rate is something else — 100th percentile in curveball spin and 97th percentile in fastball spin.
So, no matter what pitch a batter is seeing from Pressly, it’s going to be deceptive. And that curveball, specifically, becomes borderline impossible to hit.
Just look at how the Red Sox’s Connor Wong handled it during Wednesday’s game at Fenway Park.
Ryan Pressly, 3469 RPM Curveball. 😯 pic.twitter.com/xdAkBXX59n
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 30, 2023
With two outs and a runner on in the ninth inning, Pressly closed out the game by drawing a wild swing from Wong on a curveball that Statcast measured at 3,496 RPM. Out of the top 30 spin rates we’ve seen in baseball this season, Pressly accounts for all but four of them.
It’s just a cruel pitch to have to face with two strikes.
MLB fans were also impressed with the curveball — you can’t blame them either. It was that good.
This was how Twitter reacted
One of the best closers in baseball, and somehow has Astros fan haters who don’t understand his value. https://t.co/go84wzAckA
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) August 30, 2023
might be the nastiest curveball i’ve ever seen https://t.co/19PV6rkYBM
— marioooo (@sageemarioo) August 30, 2023
On the 8th Day God created this curveball 🤯 https://t.co/yN17j4iig9
— Jeremy Kaufman (@JeremyIKaufman) August 31, 2023
Almost 3500 RPM is insane 😵💫 https://t.co/NnExXDPHDY
— joe corcelli (@jcorcelli31) August 31, 2023
idc what anybody says. Ryan Pressly is still him https://t.co/UCBfsN4YXR
— astrosmemes (@astros_memes) August 31, 2023
sometimes I take for granted how insanely nasty the pitches posted on here are. but holy cow, this curve is ridiculous https://t.co/iVdT1FxKr6
— i am a surgeon (@choppens_) August 31, 2023
Flat out nasty stuff from Ryan Pressly. #Astros are lucky to have him as their closer. https://t.co/BL3gSorMRr
— Randy McIlvoy (@KPRC2RandyMc) August 31, 2023
Dodgers and Rangers fans in the replies talking about sticky stuff like they've never watched Pressly throw a curveball before. https://t.co/hlRZlprKsA
— Bobby Schragel (@bschragel) August 31, 2023
This should be the curveball all other curveballs are judged against. Wow https://t.co/D6zZ0t3Dvc
— Called 3rd Strike (@Called3rd_) August 31, 2023
*Ump checks to see if it's a wiffleball. https://t.co/vSXU5Xxu5Y
— Seth Kaplan 📺 (@Seth_Kaplan) August 31, 2023
That’s disgusting https://t.co/peY3jEkVn7
— Jonny's Lasagna ⚾️ (@JLasagna43) August 31, 2023
Holy spin rate 🤯 https://t.co/GPrsAl2YUH
— WINNIN FOR WINANS (@reed_lawson) August 31, 2023
