Vanderbilt's Thomas makes catch of CWS

June 29th, 2021
AP

Watch it again.

Isaiah Thomas made arguably the catch of the tournament at the College World Series on Monday night in Vanderbilt's 8-2 victory over Mississippi State in Game 1 of the Championship Series in Omaha. The right fielder covered an estimated 125 feet at top speed to make a lunging, sliding catch in foul territory.

After lacing an RBI double down the left-field line and then coming around to score as part of a seven-run first inning for the Commodores, MLB Pipeline's No. 95 Draft prospect -- who is batting .313 with a .370 OBP -- reminded everyone that he can impact the game with his glove too.

Sporting 55 grades for fielding and speed (on a 20-80 scouting scale), Thomas came charging in from right field with one on and no outs in the sixth inning on a flare off the bat of Kamren James that appeared destined for no man's land in foul territory. As three Vanderbilt players converged to attempt to make a play on the ball, it was Thomas who took flight and not only made the snag, but held on to ball and had the presence of mind to get up and attempt to throw out the runner who tagged up on the play.

The play was reviewed and the runner advancing on the tag-up was upheld, however, the out was made in support of starter Jack Leiter who turned in another gem for the Commodores. The third-ranked Draft prospect yielded a pair of runs on a trio of hits and three walks while fanning eight. He was pulled after tossing 107 pitches -- 63 were strikes. The righty is sporting a 2.13 ERA in Omaha.