Welcome to Capital One Premier Plays! While you're here, check out the the high-flying, gravity-defying plays that were voted as the Play of the Week in previous campaigns. Then CLICK HERE to participate in the next round of voting!
Hamel's behind-the-back snag - Sept. 12-18
Blink and you'll miss it. Dom Hamel was working on his second scoreless outing of the season for Triple-A Syracuse when Jamie Westbrook hit this 86.4 mph liner back through the middle. Hamel was falling off the mound toward first base and extended his arm behind his back when the ball simply found his glove.
Don't stop, roll and throw - Sept. 1-11
Pascanel Ferreras did not have a lot of time to make this play. Ben Williamson did not hit this ball very hard, and Ferreras had to flag it down in short center field. But the Astros' No. 25 prospect made the diving stop, rolled and threw to first all in one motion to get the out for Double-A Corpus Christi.
Oh, fudge - Aug. 22-28
Ralphy Velazquez played only four MiLB games in left field prior to this incredible home run robbery for High-A Lake County. So it's understandable that the No. 76 overall prospect would be impressed with himself. MLB.com's Ben Hill, who was in the booth during this play, would agree that Velazquez's effort is worthy of a major award.
Fly-lan Bannon - Aug. 15-21
Rylan Bannon has been well-traveled since being drafted in 2017. The 28-year-old has played in six different organizations, mostly as a third baseman. But this is his first season playing more games at short than the hot corner. He seemed comfortable at the premium position on this flying grab for Triple-A St. Paul.
Pitelli's pretty play - Aug. 8-14
Everything about this play is visually appealing -- from Rhett Lowder's bouncy flow to the fountain-like, synchronized dives from the middle infielders. Shortstop Dominic Pitelli ends up with the ball in his glove, and he finishes off the play with an on-target throw from one knee to get the out for Double-A Chattanooga.
Avina gets a leg up - Aug. 1-7
Jace Avina looked back at the center field fence three times before deciding it was better to treat the padded wall as an asset instead of an obstacle. The Yanks' No. 29 prospect got his cleat into the wall to propel himself skyward and come down with this home run robbery for High-A Hudson Valley.
Tucker's wicked catch - July 11-24
Stanley Tucker is a versatile defender that's played five different positions this season for Single-A Salem. His tremendous athleticism might explain this full-extension, floating, diving catch on a fly ball toward the right field line. But in a place called Salem? Even though it's not that Salem. Could it be witchcraft?
Ready, set, go! - July 1-10
Connor Kokx was a late addition to the starting lineup for Double-A Akron the day this catch was made. But the 24-year-old was ready as Erie's Carlos Mendoza drove the first pitch of the game deep to center. Kokx held on and earned a tip of the cap from Mendoza as he crashed into the wall at full speed to make the grab.
Hooks' Cole takes flight - June 20-26
Something must have been in the water this week for the Double-A Corpus Christi outfielders. Zach Cole stole the show with this wild, soaring catch that he was able to convert into a double play. But two other Hooks outfielders -- Jacob Melton on this play and Jeremy Arocho on this tough grab -- also packed the defensive highlight reel.
Holland takes away a homer - June 13-19
Years of excellent grabs by players like DaShawn Kiersey Jr. and Matt Wallner have raised the bar for great defensive plays by Triple-A St. Paul outfielders. Will Holland cleared that bar and the center field wall at Louisville Slugger Field to take a homer away from Blake Dunn.
Williamson's diving stop - June 6-12
This is one of the most difficult plays for a third baseman. The ball is hit very hard down the line, and, if they're able to actually stop the ball, there's a pretty long throw to make. Ben Williamson has only played 47 professional games at the hot corner. But he's equal to the task for Double-A Arkansas on this hard grounder.
E-Rod slides on the track - May 23-29
Emmanuel Rodriguez is MLB Pipeline's No. 32 overall prospect in most part due to his combination of power and speed. That quickness was on full display during this sliding catch for Double-A Wichita. The Twins No. 3 prospect raced to the track to make a sliding catch and hung on as he crashed face-first into the wall.
Superman in Durham - May 16-22
According to Statcast, Tristan Peters needed to cover 60 feet of outfield to make this play. His feet traveled 53 feet, and the soaring dive covered the rest. The Triple-A Durham left fielder flashed into the gap, went into full-extension dive and got his glove to this 97.5 mph screaming liner. He even cracked a smile when he got back to his feet.
Campos gets it in traffic - May 9-15
There was a lot that stood between Roberto Campos and this out, including the bullpen mounds and low catch probability. But the Tigers No. 24 prospect put his body on the line, crashing into a side wall and nearly flipping out of the field of play, to secure the out for High-A West Michigan.
Bastidas backs it up - April 25-May 1
Jesús Bastidas, who first signed out of Venezuela in 2015, has been doing this a long time. The 2022 Gold Glover knows how important it is to stay with a play. Triple-A Sugar Land pitcher Blair Henley took this 96.1 mph liner square off his back, but Bastidas was there to get the out with a barehand play.
Tolentino's juggling act - April 18-24
This ball hit Milan Tolentino's glove three times before it finally stopped moving. The Double-A Akron third baseman was shifted pretty far into the hole against the lefty hitter. He nearly overran the ball but was able to reach back, get the glove to it and stay with the play.
Open up, Grant's home! - April 11-17
Short fences and outfield gates always make for entertaining highlights and difficult catches. This Grant Witherspoon play for Double-A Arkansas checks both boxes. Witherspoon hustled back to the five-foot wall, and managed to hang on to this home run robbery as he crashed through the bullpen gates.
Johnston's glovely thinking - March 29-April 10
A diving play is already hard enough. Timing the dive. Getting the glove to the ball. Controlling your body. It's all tough business. When Troy Johnston completed this diving stop for Triple-A Jacksonville, it seemed the hard part was over. But the ball wouldn't come out of his glove. So, Johnston came up with a quick solution. Just throw the glove!
Duzenack duz it again - Sept. 14-20
This is one of those plays you'll have to watch a few times to fully understand. Camden Duzenack's behind-the-back flip happens so quickly that it's actually difficult to catch on first viewing. The 28-year-old has earned a reputation for ridiculous defensive plays. But this double play for Double-A Amarillo is tough to top.
Brown runs it down - Sept. 1-13
This play will probably resurface on highlight reels for years to come. The ball was absolutely smoked, but High-A Greensboro center fielder Luke Brown ran a long way, timed the jump at the end of his sprint and got to the ball just as it reached the top of the fence. Brown's outfield mates were even more jacked up than he was after the play.
Cowser gets way up - Aug. 23-30
The first of two nominees from Triple-A Norfolk comes from Colton Cowser. The Orioles No. 2 prospect gets to the wall quickly to line up his leap and extends just about as far as he can to reach the would-be homer at the top of a fairly tall fence. He's likely to join Baltimore for the playoff push, so this play may be his parting gift to the Tides.
Avina's juggling, walk-off denial - Aug. 17-22
This Jace Avina catch is among a number of wild plays to happen in important moments this week. The Single-A Carolina center fielder not only steals away a walk-off homer, but he also performs a juggling act to do so. Sure, knocking it down prevented the homer, but the second effort made sure the runner could not score from first.
Nunez leaps, crashes hard - Aug. 10-16
What does it take for a 14th-rounder to steal the spotlight from the No. 2 overall pick? Well, crashing into the wall to make a play might do the trick. Elijah Nunez, whom the Nats selected 403 picks after Dylan Crews, made this tough out while sharing the same outfield for Single-A Fredericksburg as the Golden Spikes winner.
Juggling act gets Rave reviews - Aug. 1-9
The broadcast view of John Rave's juggling catch doesn't quite do the play justice, so credit to the Storm Chasers' media team for this angle, which allows for a full appreciation of the play. The center fielder shows immense concentration as he snags the ball and falls to the track.
Flint pulls one back ... again - July 20-26
This game will be a memorable one for Tucker Flint as this wild home run robbery wasn't even his first of the contest for the Double-A Rocket City outfielder. Flint hasn't played much left field in his two Minor League seasons, staying mostly at first base and right field -- though he seems to have found a new home.
Schunk navigates tarp, net - July 14-19
This catch by Aaron Schunk is the first of two nominees from Triple-A Albuquerque this week. Netting makes for interesting plays, and the tarp adds another obstacle. Schunk doesn't even seem to look down before he dives over the tarp, and he gets high enough to reach the ball before it hits the netting.
More F7's in Cantrelle's future - July 1-9
Hayden Cantrelle has played two games in left field and has had six balls hit in his direction. This was the sixth. The 24-year-old, who's spent a majority of his time with Richmond at second and third, didn't get turned around like an inexperienced outfielder. This was a dead sprint into the gap and an incredible diving grab.
Adams' soaring grab - June 22-28
Jordyn Adams is one of the few prospects in the Minors with 80-grade speed, the highest possible mark on the scouting scale. The 23-year-old didn't really have to turn on the jets for this play. But the Triple-A Salt Lake center fielder got back to the wall and timed his jump perfectly to pull back an extra-base hit.
Wallace, Newton get tough out - June 15-21
Just two batters into the game, High-A Quad Cities was nearly in a sticky situation. But Cayden Wallace was able to cover a lot of ground on the left side of the infield. The third baseman made a diving stop on a grounder and threw from his knees to first. Shervyen Newton, a former shortstop, made a long stretch and tough pick to dig out the throw.
Wood crashes the party - June 8-14
James Wood has above-average grades for all five tools and shows off his speed and fielding ability to make this leaping catch for Double-A Harrisburg. He gets up just fine after crashing into the wall. But, realistically, with Wood's 6-foot-6, 240-pound frame, there's probably more concern for the wall.
'Los Manos' returns - May 25-31
Luis Guillorme's teammates once nicknamed him "Los Manos" because of the slick defensive plays he makes on the field and in the dugout. He's been a Major League regular the past couple of years but has brought those terrific hands back to Syracuse as few can pull off this behind-the-back flip.
Stubbs masters new domain - May 18-24
C.J. Stubbs is a catcher by trade, but he's seeing more time at first for Double-A Corpus Christi. The fearlessness that comes with being a backstop clearly hasn't worn off. Stubbs tracked down this pop-up well over the dugout railing and managed to land on his feet.
Dean gets up like The Kid - May 11-17
Justin Dean has made dozens of plays that prove he's a tremendous defender and terrific athlete, but considering he's 5-foot-8, it's difficult to see this catch coming. The M-Braves center fielder propped himself up with a foot in the outfield wall like Ken Griffey Jr. and propelled himself toward the sky to haul in the fly ball.
Ward just does it - May 4-10
Perhaps it was the spirit of Phil Knight in Eugene that made Braiden Ward show off his hops in this game for Spokane. Ward made a different leaping catch against the wall in the right field gap in the inning prior to this home run robbery. Tracking it down with his back to the infield, Ward leaps to steal a would-be dinger on the backhand.
Keirsey shows off the hops - April 20-26
DaShawn Keirsey Jr. is no stranger to top plays lists, which should come as no surprise considering the athleticism he displays here for Wichita. Keirsey comes close to a complete stop to time the jump perfectly, then leaps to make the grab just as the ball passes the fence. "Posterized" is a term usually reserved for basketball, but freeze this clip at the right time, and that's an image that belongs on a poster.
Lee Sang hits the track - April 13-19
Down the Shore everything's alright. The first of two incredible nominees by Blue Claws outfielders belongs to Marcus Lee Sang. This flailing, over-the-shoulder grab on a fly ball brought him crashing down onto the warning track in center -- a carnival-like catch that fits right in near the boardwalk.
Siani's heave, Pereda's pick - April 6-12
It's always fun to see an outfielder show off the hose. Louisville's Michael Siani had his momentum going forward after snagging this liner, and he unloaded a strong throw to the plate. Awaiting that throw was backstop Jhonny Pereda, who made a brilliant pick on the short hop and swiped the tag on the runner in the same motion.
Jack gets it Dunn - March 31 - April 5
Jack Dunn was an Economics major at Northwestern before being drafted by the Nationals in 2019. Knowing he had to be economical with his time after making this diving stop on a hard grounder up the line, the 26-year-old heaved the ball across the diamond from his knees and got it to the bag on a hop.