You don’t see TOO many plays that require a barehanded pick at shortstop, but Christopher Morel had to do it, and just pulled off a beauty.
Pete Alonso hit one back up the box, which Drew Smyly deflected over toward short. That change in direction, and slowing of the ball, gave Morel no other option but to reverse his body and go barehanded:
Changing the body like that so quickly, snagging the ball barehanded and immediately making the throw with your body going away from first base … man, that’s just really impressive stuff for any player, let alone a rookie who has to move all over the field.
Yes, Christopher Morel has shown some throwing issues this year, particularly at third base. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t wildly talented with a GOOD arm. He’s just gotta get more reps at third base.
Because while he makes some mistakes, he can also pull off a play like that. Electric.