SB Nation    •   3 min read

MLB’s Catch of the Year race gives Denzel Clarke some competition from Jacob Young

WHAT'S THE STORY?

A robbed home run might be the coolest player in sports. Athletics outfielder Denzel Clarke gave baseball fans a robbery for the ages earlier this season when he literally climbed the fence to bring back a home run against the Angels. Clarke’s grab feels like one of the best I’ve ever seen, the type of web gem that instantly wins you a fictional MLB Catch of the Year award. Well, Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young decided to throw his hat in the ring and make it a real competition.

Cincinnati

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reds outfielder Will Benson thought he had a homer on Wednesday. Young tracked the ball to the warning track from centerfield, boosted himself up the wall, and somehow snagged it to bring back a sure dinger. This is absolutely one of the best catches of the 2025 MLB season. Watch the play here:

Young made another highlight reel diving catch just one day earlier. Reds hitters can’t wait until they see another centerfielder.

Young is out there for his defense. The 25-year-old ranks as the Nationals’ No. 18 overall prospect, and he’s struggled at the plate so far in the big leagues. Just keep making defensive plays like this and he’ll continue to have a job somewhere.

Is this the best catch of the season? I’m still partial to Clark3 going full Spiderman:

It’s so fun to see great athletes make defensive plays like this on the baseball diamond.

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