While credit is often given to outfielders for making sound defensive plays, many pitchers’ plays deserve honorable mention. In recent MLB history, some out-of-this-world pitcher plays have left people in astonishment and wonderment.
Memorable Pitchers Plays In Recent MLB History
Shohei Ohtani LA Angels May 5th, 2021
Ohtani was facing batter Austin Meadows from the Tampa Bay Rays. Meadows lined the ball right to Ohtani’s glove, and the ball fumbled high out of his glove, but then Ohtani still managed to catch it with his bare hand and get the out at first.
Pat Nekshek Cleveland Guardians May 25th, 2017
Nekshek was facing the Colorado Rockies, and Charlie Blackmon hit the ball in a sneaky spot far away from the pitcher and third base, but Nekshek ran and made a stupendous diving play and threw it right on the money to get him out at first base.
Nestor Cortes New York Yankees April 23rd, 2022
The Cleveland Guardians batter Steven Kwan grounded the ball to Anthony Rizzo and what looked like a very tough play Rizzo threw the ball to Cortes where he dove and slid to get the batter out. It was a race to the bag and Cortes gave it all he head to get the out at first. A diving Cortes beat Kwan to the bag to make this incredible play.
Brett Phillips Tampa Bay Rays April 11th, 2022
Oakland Athletics batter Seth Brown popped up a pitch against Phillips that was almost looking like a foul ball but Phillips bolted, slid, and made an amazing catch to get the out against Brown. He caught it sliding right into the A’s dugout.
Marcus Stroman New York Mets April 18th, 2021
The Mets were facing the Colorado Rockies and the Rockies batter Josh Fuentes hit a grounder that was caught by Stroman but it was a behind the back grab. Stroman then made a bizarre throw to first where the ball trickled and hopped a bunch of times before it got to the first baseman to get the out just in time. Stroman was certainly showing off his glove skills with that impressive play.
Cliff Lee Philadelphia Phillies 2009 WS Game 1
In the 2009 Phillies verses Yankees game 1 World Series, Lee made a catch that looked flawless. It was a catch made behind his back and after the play was made he had a big smile on his face. It was a flashy snag behind his back on a grounder from the Yankees hitter.
Marcus Stroman Chicago Cubs April 20th, 2022
Stroman made a great pitcher catch in 2021 and followed the next season with another with the Chicago Cubs. Are the behind the back snags his thing? He did it yet again against the Rays and against batter Wander Franco to get the out at first.
Pitchers Show Gold Glove Stuff
These pitchers deserve recognition for their athleticism and talent on the mound defensively. They’ve certainly made it entertaining for fans who can look back on these plays and wonder how they even did them. It can certainly be scary to have a pitch coming in your direction, but they made it look all easy. Whether it was a behind the catch grab or a diving and sliding catch, they were fearless plays made that have left an impact on the field.
Main Photo Credits: Chadd Cady-USA TODAY Sports
