Every now and then, a pitch is so good, even the best hitters in baseball have no choice but to tip their cap. Or, in Luis Arraez’s case, mouth a stunned “Wow” as they walk back to the dugout.
That was the moment on Monday night in Arizona, when Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt unleashed a changeup that had the two-time NL batting champ spinning in place.
Arraez, known for his uncanny bat-to-ball skills and elite contact rate, took a mighty cut at a Pfaadt offering that dropped off the plate like a trapdoor. Not only did he miss badly — he nearly lost his balance in the process. Cameras caught his reaction immediately after: a look of disbelief and a single word: “Wow.”
Coming from a guy who rarely looks overmatched, the reaction said it all.
A Statement Pitch From a Rising Arm
Pfaadt, 25, has been showing flashes all season for Arizona, but this pitch might’ve been his filthiest of the year — and it came against one of the game’s toughest outs. Arraez doesn’t just avoid strikeouts; he embarrasses pitchers with his ability to put the bat on the ball. That Pfaadt made him look lost? That’s must-see TV for any pitching coach.
The strikeout was one of several key moments in what turned out to be a 6–2 win for the Diamondbacks over the Padres. Pfaadt kept San Diego in check, giving his team exactly what it needed as Arizona looks to stay in the thick of the NL Wild Card race.
Respect Recognizes Skill
Arraez’s reaction wasn’t frustration, it was admiration. And that’s what makes moments like these special. Even in the heat of competition, baseball remains a game of respect. One elite competitor acknowledging another.
For Pfaadt, it was a highlight. For Arraez, just a rare moment of being on the wrong side of greatness. Sometimes, the pitcher just wins.
