Social media reacts to Brewers' minor league outfielder's unbelievable catch

The term "catch of the year" gets thrown around quite often throughout the course of a baseball season. Generally involving a homerun robbery or full extension dive, the eventual true "catch of the year" requires one additional element: uniqueness. In a day and age where there is seemingly a home run robbery every other day throughout the many levels of professional baseball, for a catch to be deemed the "best of the year" it needs to have something that no other play has.

On Friday night, in the midst of an away game against the Columbus Clingstones, Milwaukee Brewers' minor league outfielder Mark Coley II made a convincing entry into the "catch of the year" race that has taken the baseball world by storm. Coley, who joined the Brewers' Double-A affiliate, the Biloxi Shuckers, back in late April, stole a home run from Atlanta Braves prospect Eric Hartman in the third inning of last night's game, but the way in which he did so carries the improbability required to be considered the "catch of the year."

After reaching up and over the right-center field wall and bringing the ball back into the field of play, Coley lost control of the ball and fell onto his backside on the warning track. However, the ball, which had popped up into the air after initially jumping out of Coley's glove, fell right back into his glove as he was lying down just in front of the wall. That description may not do Coley's catch justice, so check out the video of the play from the Biloxi Shuckers' X account below.

Mark Coley's improbable home run robbery catches national attention on Friday night

Not only did the Shuckers' social media account call Coley's catch the greatest they've ever seen, but around the baseball world, many were quick to give comparable praise to the Brewers' minor league outfielder.

Jomboy Media, a popular baseball media outlet, called Coley's catch one of the "most ridiculous catches you'll ever see in any sport." It's certainly difficult to compare catches across sports, but going farther than just baseball gives Coley an extra level of respect.

MLB Pipeline, who ranked Coley among the best prospects in the Miami Marlins farm system back in 2024, started the "catch of the year" conversation with their assessment of Coley's catch.

Others compared Coley's catch to DeWayne Wise's home run robbery during Mark Buerhle’s perfect game back in 2009, and with the Green Bay Packers hosting "Family Night" at Lambeau Field last night, one social media user reminded Wisconsin sports fans of Antonio Freeman's "He did what?" catch back in 2000.

Coley's catch gained national attention and could certainly be featured on Sportscenter's Top 10 plays in the coming days. In an organization chock-full of talented defensive center fielders, who constantly make highlight-reel catches, Coley's unbelievable snag last night checks in near the top of the list.

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