Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looked to have made a strange error while fielding a pop fly, but it wound up being a great call.
While his team was facing the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night, Guerrero had a chance to catch an easy out on a pop fly from Reds outfielder Will Benson.
However, Guerrero intentionally let the ball drop rather than catch it to help make a spectacular double play on the Cincinnati runner who was trying to make it to second.
This was some incredibly smart baseball from Guerrero, who evaded the infield fly rule since there was no Cincy runner on second.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. INTENTIONALLY missed this pop up. 👀
(MLB X @Chevron) pic.twitter.com/rbISW9K8Ca
— MLB (@MLB) August 19, 2023
MLB fans were mightily impressed with Guerrero’s very clutch decision, which helped get the Blue Jays two outs instead of one.
Sometimes, catching the pop fly is the right call. Sometimes, letting it fall helps you get even more out of the situation than you previously had.
MLB fans really were impressed with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Some day I’ll manage to remember the infield fly rule but today is once again not that day.
Brilliant play! https://t.co/hDNHkbTQ8D
— Les Perreaux (@perreaux) August 19, 2023
This was a smart play. https://t.co/zP1THJ1kEN
— Carolita Maria Leticia Garcia (@mylyfesongz) August 19, 2023
Sneakily Smart. Know your personnel. https://t.co/FlVggCsiTQ
— John Paul Manahan (ohai.social/@misterjpmanahan) (@misterjpmanahan) August 19, 2023
I’ve always wondered why more baseball players don’t do this lol easy double play https://t.co/MOs9cFqrJa
— jp (@jaeperera) August 19, 2023
Vladdy is a very smart baseball player. https://t.co/PM9JrqGpjr
— W Andy Knight (@WAndyKnight1) August 19, 2023
OH BABY! Talk about baseball IQ there! #BlueJays https://t.co/4RMFunpO1x
— 𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢 (@mau5ter83) August 19, 2023
I’ve been wondering why players dont do this more https://t.co/ULRPoVV68g
— Crumb (@Cylister) August 19, 2023
baseball IQ at its finest. https://t.co/hZExNyplJI
— Cam Smith (@TheCamProgram) August 19, 2023
Literally one of the smartest plays of the year. https://t.co/ihNKxay08c
— Grizzly👊 (@Grizzly242018) August 19, 2023
I have never seen this executed -intentionally! Love baseball https://t.co/im5bwHpEgD
— Rebecca Bartlett (@Rebecca45378373) August 19, 2023
😂😂😂 love it his baseball IQ is top notch https://t.co/zNC9k8n26w
— Jon Aaron (@Coach_Aaron9) August 19, 2023
Great play. If you can see batter ain’t running….. https://t.co/KmepZfGdxi
— Kevin Goldman (@KevinGoldman10) August 19, 2023
What a heads up play from Vladdy https://t.co/vm1zLgRNcH
— Emily Chastain (@MotherofZlorbs) August 19, 2023
This is honestly one of my favorite plays in baseball 😂😂 https://t.co/cYYOrje3ki
— Val (@_nats86) August 19, 2023
What a fantastic place by Vladdy Guerrero Jr.! #TORvsCIN #Nextlevel #Bluejays #BaseballTwitter https://t.co/J910qksdsk
— SpΩrty JΩsh 🇨🇦 (@SportyJosh6) August 19, 2023
1000 IQ play 🔥 im gone try to do that when I play MLB now https://t.co/1Vo1No35yh
— mike (@mikemillionz_) August 19, 2023
