This week’s list of defense lacks some of the usual names we see on here – there’s no Trout, Simmons, or Tulowitzki, but that doesn’t mean that the plays won’t stand up to some of the best that those guys have made.
April 17th, Yankees vs Rays – triple your pleasure.
The legend of Yangervis Solarte continues to grow – an around the horn triple play? You’ve gotta love it.
April 17th, Red Sox vs White Sox – YEEEEEEEES!
Adam Eaton’s defense was lauded when he came to the White Sox from the Diamondbacks this offseason. This play reaffirmed all of that hype – what a catch to rob David Ortiz of a homer.
April 19th, Twins vs Royals – wrong man.
During this entire play, the camera is focused on Twins right fielder Chris Colabello. So imagine my surprise when out of nowhere, Aaron Hicks comes leaping into the picture to make the catch, taking out Colabello in the process. Well, you don’t see that every day…
April 19th, Astros vs Athletics – Dexter lays out.
Serious question – how did Dexter Fowler not break his wrist making this catch? He laid out, tumbled, held on to the ball, went into the gap to grab it…crazy play.
April 20th, Diamondbacks vs Dodgers – that Puig guy…
Yasiel Puig has a cannon for a right arm. It was on full display on Sunday, when Puig turned this sure double from Miguel Montero into an out at second base thanks to a laser of a throw that didn’t even take a bounce on the way to the bag.
April 21st, Royals vs Indians – beating the shift.
With the growing popularity of infield shifts, you’ll often see the shortstop as the only player on the left side of the infield. If you ever had a question about why the shortstop was the one over there, look no further than Alcides Escobar managing to race halfway across the field to snag this Jason Giambi pop up, which would have been a routine play for the third baseman in his normal position.
April 22nd, Rangers vs Athletics – the botched squeeze.
This is how you blow up a squeeze play – with a nicely executed flip to home plate to nail the runner by a few steps. But then again, when a catcher is the runner, it’s not that difficult to nail him.
