It's only June, but the 2025 MLB season may have already witnessed its catch of the year. The official MLB X account even reacted with an "OMG!" while posting a video of the jaw-dropping catch.
In the bottom of the first inning, Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke made his latest amazing catch, robbing Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel of what should have been a home run.
A no-doubter turned into an out when Clarke stretched his body almost completely over the fence and grabbed the ball. Clarke would let out a celebratory scream after making the play.
DENZEL CLARKE OMG! pic.twitter.com/2QJBAkmZqN
— MLB (@MLB) June 10, 2025
And as amazing as this catch by Clarke is, it's far from his only defensive gem of his rookie season. Just last week, Clarke crashed into the fence in left-center to chase down a deep fly ball in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. He left the game with a shoulder injury.
whew https://t.co/PERG8Nn0bm pic.twitter.com/lj2Ouhe2DZ
— Brendan Mortensen (@BrendanMorty) June 7, 2025
At that time, Clarke explained his desire to be a human highlight reel and why he always seems to be end up in the right place at the right time.
"I always have a gauge of where the wall is at, how fast I’m going and what I’m going to need to do,” Clarke told reporters. "I know we have a big warning track here, so as I’m approaching the wall, I’m like, ‘I have one extra step here. I can either go take it or play this off the wall.’ I decided to go make the play. I put my body on the line, and I’m happy it held up for the win today."
While Schanuel would eventually get on base and drive in one of the Angels' four unanswered runs through his first two at-bats, Clarke's play became what baseball fans were talking about.
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