Sometimes there’s a man who does something that dazzles the eye and captivates the mind. There are also folks out there who just figure out life. And they make you wonder how you didn’t think of that. It’s like some people just know how to hack life and when you see it you can’t look away. Once in a generation, all of those qualities are wrapped up into one man. That man is Willians Astudillo and it’s his pitching chops that have me questioning where I went wrong in this world. Last night La Tortuga, which Willians is affectionately called, did his thing by being called in to pitch in the 8th inning when his team the Twins were out of arms.
Here is all 7 pitches in Willians Astudillo’s appearance pic.twitter.com/yThVXGSyOI
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) April 17, 2021
The performance
Mesmerizing, jaw-dropping, mind-numbing. These are a few of the many adjectives that you could use to describe Willians Astudillo’s pitching ability. As you can see, the Angels didn’t know how to handle La Tortuga. When you take batting practice, you don’t do with a guy like me throwing to you. That’s where La Tortuga comes in and he knows his approach to the craft will have hitters chomping at the bit. La Tortuga is fully aware of the confidence that hitters will come to the plate with. They are just looking to send one of his sizzling 51MPH heaves to the moon. La Tortuga is counting on it.
My favorite part is the extreme, John Wick like focus La Tortuga had during his 7 pitch outing. He had a job to do and there wasn’t anyone that was going to get in the way of him accomplishing it. His expression didn’t waiver from when he through a methodical 46 MPH pitch to when he gassed it all the way up to 72MPH and painted the corner. La Tortuga is a consummate professional. Everybody knows this.
It makes you think that every team should have a guy that throws in the 50s. I feel like every time one of these situations happens and a seldom-used utility player comes into pitch and they throw slower that the hitters are always confused. Now, I’m not saying that they can be starters or go many innings, but I think having a guy throwing low to simmering heat for an inning now and again is good. In fact, I think it’s something MLB should promote. But let’s face it, that’s the last thing they would ever do.
La Tortuga Highlights
Amazing snag by La Tortuga. ?@ticasino x #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/wrUvLyrRCO
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 15, 2021
The Turtle Slide ?#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/qBnmZgjb4P
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 13, 2021
Hopefully, this won’t be the last time we see La Tortuga on the hill again. He’s great for baseball and I want more of him on a baseball field. Make it happen Minnesota.
Follow me @2ndSatSports
