Announcer can't believe ridiculous pitch

It’s not unusual for MLB announcers to get excited when a pitch’s speed flashes on the screen.

Usually those pitches are fastballs in the upper 90s or triple digits.

Washington Nationals play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter got a look at the other end of the spectrum Wednesday night, when Nats infielder Ildemaro Vargas pitched the ninth inning in a 12-3 loss to the San Diego Padres.

On a pitch to Donovan Solano, Vargas gave an exaggerated windup and hurled the ball to the plate like a shot putter with extremely poor form.

“What is that?” Carpenter asked as Solano lined the pitch up the middle for a single. “Super slow one, base hit.”

“I mean, that pitch made Liván Hernández look like Nolan Ryan,” Carpenter continued, comparing the former soft-throwing MLB pitcher to the flame-throwing legend who pitched a record seven no-hitters.

Then it dawned on Carpenter he might have just witnessed history with Vargas’ 33 mph delivery.

“33? I’d say in the Statcast era, there’s a chance (that’s the slowest pitch).”

Turns out, Brock Holt tossed a pitch 31 mph in a 2021 game.

The action sped up for Carpenter later in the inning, when Vargas speared a 91.4 mph line drive off the bat of Jake Cronenworth.

“Look at Vargas make the play up the middle! Yes sir!” Vargas called.

[ Clutch Points ]

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