Denzel Clarke might have just made the catch of the 2025 MLB season, and fans are already putting it in the conversation with Willie Mays and Jim Edmonds.
During the bottom of the first inning in Monday night’s matchup between the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels, Clarke pulled off a superhuman feat. With Nolan Schanuel sending an 86 mph splitter deep into centerfield, it looked like a surefire home run, until Clarke flew in.
Clarke leaped halfway over the wall, used the top of the fence to keep from flipping over, and snagged the ball just as it looked destined for the stands. It wasn’t just a catch, it was a physics-defying moment that had fans rushing to social media in disbelief.
“That was the greatest catch I have ever seen,” one user posted on X.
“Definitely straight out of Angels in the Outfield,” another added.
Fans, Players, and MLB All React
MLB’s official X account quickly posted slow-motion replays and photos of the Denzel Clarke surreal snag. Fans couldn’t get enough:
- “That’s got to be in the top 5 of all time.”
- “i don’t think i’ve ever seen a better catch.”
- “Imagine losing your home run parlay over this.”
Even in a league known for spectacular defense, Clarke’s grab stood out as something beyond elite. It’s already being called the catch of the year, and possibly one of the best ever made on a baseball field.
A Rising Defensive Star
At just 25, Clarke has shown defensive flashes all season. But Monday night’s highlight might have just launched him into baseball immortality. Robbing home runs is one thing. Doing it with style, grace, and gravity-defying balance? That’s another level.
MLB’s greatest catches have long been defined by Willie Mays’ 1954 World Series grab and Jim Edmonds’ 1997 full-stretch dive. Now, Denzel Clarke has a serious case to join that exclusive list.
Whether it ends up in Cooperstown’s highlight reel or just burned into the internet’s memory, one thing’s certain: Clarke’s catch was legendary.
Don’t blink, MLB fans. You might miss the next moment that breaks the internet.
