ICYMI: Braves first baseman made a spectacular catch in right field
During yesterday’s game against the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman made a hell of a catch in right field. I must have walked to the water cooler or to the bathroom for a second because I completely missed this. Also, listening on the radio and watching on MLB Gameday just isn’t the same as actually watching the game.
Braves starting pitcher on Wednesday, Brandon McCarthy, went three innings — the longest any Braves starter has gone yet this Spring Training. To relieve McCarthy in the top of the 4th inning was right-handed pitcher Shane Carle.
The first batter Carle saw was Brandon Nimmo and of course he smashed a homer on the first pitch to right center field. This home run tied the game at 1-1.
Carle’s rough outing continued as Jose Lobaton and Patrick Mazeika both singled. Then, Carle walked Peter Alonso to load the bases. The Braves righty was able to get Zach Borenstein to ground into a double play, but a run scored. Making the game 2-1.
Gavin Cecchini was next up for the Mets and he singled off Carle. Braves vs Mets on Wednesday is now a 3-1 game.
Which brings us to David Thompson. On a 1-0 pitch, Thompson loops a ball to shallow right field. On the crack of the bat, Freddie Freeman is on his horse tracking the ball down. When you watch the video, you’ll see it really doesn’t look like he spots the ball and is counting on the right fielder — Danny Santana to make a play on the ball.
Not sure if Freeman calls Santana off, but at the last second Freddie dives down and slides to make the catch. A very athletic play by the 6’5″ 220-pound 28-year-old.
Next: Will Anyelo Gomez make the Opening Day roster?
Freeman has never won a Gold Glove award, but we’ve seen him back great plays before. He’s a very mobile first baseman for how big of a guy he is. He makes unbelievable stretches at first and some catches that make you say wow. This play yesterday definitely made me say wow!
Hopefully Freddie can stay healthy this season because he is one of the best players in the major leagues. If he didn’t get hit by a pitch last year on May 17 that put him out around a month and a half — and had lingering effects from the injury all year — he was on pace to be the NL MVP.