Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young has ended the debate for MLB’s Catch of the Year this season. His play on Sunday against the New York Mets deserves to be the unanimous winner.
The 26-year-old was manning center field as Mets batter Brett Baty led off the bottom of the fifth inning at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y. Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin served up a middle-middle meatball to Baty, who clubbed it to deep center field.
Young failed to get a proper read on the ball, which had him twisting and turning as it hurtled closer to the wall. Despite Young making a respectable effort, the ball popped in and out of his glove near the wall. But instead of giving up, the Nationals outfielder kicked it into the air like a Hacky Sack and caught it on his second try.
KICKED IT OFF HIS OWN FOOT THEN CAUGHT IT⁉️🦶
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 21, 2025
ONE OF THE CRAZIEST SNAGS EVER BY JACOB YOUNG
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/qM1TCE0MaH
Young had the quick instincts to kick the ball up once he saw it fall toward his lower right leg.
The only case against Young’s play as the Catch of the Year is that it didn’t happen during a higher-leverage situation, unlike Victor Robles’ bid from the night before.
But Young proved he could also make a highlight catch under pressure. With the Nationals nursing a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, Young robbed Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez of a game-tying home run.
JACOB YOUNG JUST DID IT AGAIN!!! pic.twitter.com/53rnITzHas
— MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2025
The Nationals held on for a 3-2 victory.
While the game’s result will likely be forgotten in time, Young’s catch will be mixed into highlight reels for years to come.
