Cedric Mullins follows impossible catch with two-run homer

Yes, it is still early in the season, but the Baltimore Orioles have a contender for Catch of the Year in their 7-4 win over the Minnesota Twins.

In the bottom of the first inning, with a runner on third and two outs, Kyle Farmer ripped a long shot into the left center field gap. With centerfielder Cedric Mullins shading right, it seemed to be a run plus extra bases for sure. But then Mullins turned on the afterburner and closed the distance. Leaping out, Superman-style, Mullins made an impossible catch, one that had the Camden Yards crowd cheering in awe.

Just take a look at it here. Seriously, stop what you are doing and just appreciate greatness when you see it.

And then, with the Orioles up 4-2 in the fifth, Mullins decided to do it with the bat as well, ripping a two-run homer over the right field wall, just inside the foul pole.

Asked after the game which he preferred, the hit or the catch, Mullins decided to go with his team mates and plump for the catch. “The fellas say the catch was number one that they’ve seen. I’m going to take their word for it.”

Baltimore’s starter Cole Irvin said tipped his cap to Mullins, saying, “I didn’t think there was a chance he was going to catch it. That might be one of the best plays I’ve ever had behind me. That was one of the coolest plays. Yeah, shoot. I don’t know if I’ll ever see a play like that while I’m pitching again.”

In this modern age of StatCast we can say that Mullins ran at an average sprint speed of 28.3 feet per second and covered 70 feet on that play.

Mullins acknowledges that it was not your run of the mill play, saying, “It was a difficult catch. Diving away from the field is kind of new. The instincts take over there. The reads that I get during BP are what leads to that, taking it serious, making sure I’m getting good jumps on the ball just during BP. It’s the little things that matter.”

O’s manager Brandon Hyde said, “Ced’s a Gold Glove center fielder, and he’s playing great defense for us so far again this year.”

While Mullins makes outstanding plays every season, it is perhaps fitting that he made this particular play while he was wearing the number 42 on his back on Jackie Robinson Day.