Mets prospect makes insanely casual barehanded catch of flying bat
Before every baseball game, fans are warned to “be alert for flying bats and balls.” In a way, it’s a silly warning. Being aware that a large, hard piece of wood is coming directly at you is a good thing, but that’s not going to save you unless you know how to react.
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Any fan unsure about how to handle that terrifying situation ought to take a page out of New York Mets shortstop Luis Guillorme’s book. Guillorme not only did not panic when a bat came hurdling toward him during Thursday’s game against the Miami Marlins, he casually snagged it out of the air with one hand.
It sounds unbelievable, but it actually happened. In the second inning of Thursday’s game, Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria stepped to the plate against Robert Gsellman. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Hechavarria took a healthy cut against an off-speed offering. In the process, the bat slipped out of Hechavarria’s hands in the direction of the Mets dugout.
For a moment, pandemonium reigned supreme. A number of Mets players leaned away from where they believed the bat would land. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo actually started running to safety. Turns out, he chose the wrong direction and nearly put himself directly in the bat’s path.
All the while, Guillorme stayed in place at the top of the dugout. As the bat came careening near him, Guillorme casually reached up with his right hand and plucked the bat out of the air mid-flight. It was the type of thing you would expect to see in a Marvel movie, not on a baseball field.
Based on his reaction, Guillorme may have done this before. After making the incredible catch, he just casually tosses the bat back on the field in Hechavarria’s direction. He never smiles or shows any emotion. He almost looks bored. It’s amazing.
If you know anything about Guillorme, perhaps this shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. The 22-year-old ranked as the Mets’ 15th-best prospect according to Baseball America. He’s regarded for his excellent defensive skills and quick hands.
After seeing those hands in action Thursday, we’re inclined to agree with that assessment.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
