NEWSLETTER
Yesterday, a couple of young, stud outfielders made some amazing home-run-robbing catches, and I want to know which you think was better.
First up, we have the Boston Red Sox 27-year-old center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., making this fantastic leap out in dead center field.
Verdict overturned!
Jackie Bradley Jr. robs the Judge on Sunday Night Baseball. #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/ejKa8w11Zr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 17, 2017
Not only was that catch impressive, but it also robbed Aaron Judge, of the rival New York Yankees, of his 31st home run of the season and first of the second half. In addition, that homer would’ve brought the Yankees within one run with just one out in the top of the 8th.
According to Statcast, that combination of exit velocity and launch angle lands for a hit 94 (!) percent of the time … That’ll be tough to beat, but let’s see what Ozuna has to offer.
Here’s the play:
Marcell Ozuna is now guilty of robbery in the state of Florida. pic.twitter.com/KlFVFJnzON
— Stadium (@Stadium) July 16, 2017
This catch is slightly different, but no less impressive. Ozuna, 26, climbs the wall in left field to bring Kiké Hernandez’s ball back into the stadium and keep the Marlins within a couple of runs. Although the Marlins added an 8th inning run, however, they weren’t able to catch back up to the Dodgers and lost 3-2. You can see this full play here.
Although I don’t necessarily think one catch was *miles* tougher than the other, I have to give the edge to Jackie Bradley Jr. and the Red Sox. Given the batter, the game situation, the stadium, the opposing team, and the hit probability, that’s just the more memorable catch.
But hey, I don’t know everything. What do you think?
