A slow roller from the mound to the plate ends in ... a caught stealing?!

April 17th, 2024

For a game that’s been around for so long, baseball still has a way of providing plays we’ve in all likelihood never seen before. The Toledo Mud Hens (Tigers Triple-A affiliate) had such a play against the Rochester Red Wings (Nationals) on Tuesday night.

As Toledo’s starting pitcher Devin Sweet released a pitch in the first inning, the right-hander got his cleat stuck on the mound, causing the ball to bounce slowly to the catcher. Juan Yepez -- Rochester’s runner on second base -- bolted for third in what seemed like an easy advancement … until it wasn’t.

Toledo catcher Dillon Dingler (MLB Pipeline’s No. 13 Tigers prospect) had the wherewithal to pick up the ball that came in to home plate like a grounder and unleashed a perfect throw to third to nab the runner.

It was undoubtedly one of the most unusual -- and unique -- outs you could possibly record on a baseball field.