Overview

• In the top of the eighth inning on July 23 at Nationals Park, Jacob Young chased down a deep drive by Will Benson, boosted himself off the warning track and scaled the wall to rob a two-run homer.
• Despite Young’s effort, the Cincinnati Reds prevailed 5-0 as Nick Lodolo threw a complete-game shutout and the Reds added two runs in the ninth inning.
• Young’s defensive highlights have secured his spot in center field despite a .251 batting average and no home runs through 76 games this season.
• Oakland’s rookie Denzel Clarke set the early standard by climbing the outfield fence on June 9 at Angel Stadium to deny a homer and earn multiple weekly defensive honors.
• Media outlets and fans now consider both Young’s and Clarke’s wall-scaling catches the leading contenders for MLB’s Catch of the Year award.