When it comes to the best defensive outfielders in baseball, Kevin Kiermaier should always be near the top of that list. He makes incredibly difficult plays look routine. And whether he’s diving or leaping for a catch, his versatility is just off the charts.
But man, when a baseball gets hit in the air around Kiermaier, he basically turns into a world-class sprinter. That’s exactly what happened during Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
With Andrew Monasterio at the plate in the second inning, Kiermaier got a phenomenal read off the bat on a deep fly ball headed for the gap. And somehow he was able to run down the baseball to make a full-extension catch at the warning track.
KEVIN KIERMAIER, WHAT A CATCH 😱 pic.twitter.com/FpolrQb5iA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 1, 2023
The catch itself was insane, but the lead-up to the grab was what really stood out. According to Statcast, Kiermaier covered 92 feet at a 30.4 feet-per-second sprint speed. That’s sub-four-second 40 kind of speed. That pace would nearly put him in the same company as Tyreek Hill who topped out at 31.4 feet per second last season.
This is one of more remarkable catches I can remember seeing. Kevin Kiermaier hauled ass at a sprint speed of 30.4 feet-per-second and covered 92 feet to rob Andrew Monasterio. pic.twitter.com/FupNWeNIb2
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) June 1, 2023
Instead of running on a track, have Kiermaier chase a baseball in the air, and he’d just crush it at the NFL combine. Normally, Kiermaier ranks in the 91st percentile across MLB in sprint speed, but that effort was particularly impressive even for him.
No wonder MLB fans were in awe.
This was how Twitter reacted
That 30.4 feet-per-second time would tie him as the fastest player in MLB. https://t.co/PraeYEeOwJ pic.twitter.com/J6bBVaI8tR
— Zach Worden (@Worden_Zach) June 1, 2023
Just absolutely insane. https://t.co/2dk9uIbt6Z
— jared83rdacct (@jared83rdacct) June 1, 2023
Kevin Kiermaier is truly one of the best defenders ever.
15% catch probability and 30.4 feet/sec sprint speed on this gorgeous catch. pic.twitter.com/NlhYExc4ll
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) June 1, 2023
It took me 4.7 seconds to find the ball in this video. https://t.co/oDbe4v4QYO
— Steven (@GoCubs49) June 1, 2023
Covered 92 feet on this catch https://t.co/ITTXMghx93
— Conrad Cosby (@Crad03) June 1, 2023
This is truthfully just insane this man is a defensive gift sent to the blue jays https://t.co/7p9bquSekk
— Zack Benoit (@ZackBenoit_) June 1, 2023
Dude has wings I'm sure of it! https://t.co/DeRSR9xWvD
— Tyler タイラー (@Valomir) June 1, 2023
The man can fly 😳 #NextLevel https://t.co/VjZ6tXUCXe
— Alain Quevillon (@AlQuevillon) June 1, 2023
70% of the world is covered by water
The rest is covered by Kevin Kiermaier 🫡 https://t.co/AjHbvg7H6X
— THRILLHO (@lowfive_) June 1, 2023
