Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto has been one of the best rookies in baseball this season, hitting .254 on the year at just 22 years of age. He flashed his supreme talent in Monday’s game against the Texas Rangers with an unbelievable leaping catch.
The play happened in the bottom of the sixth inning with Rangers designated hitter Mitch Garver at the plate.
Garver hit a ball into foul territory down the third base line. It looked like nobody would get to it and it would ultimately go harmlessly into the camera well. Instead, Neto put his body on the line, jumping into the fence to make a ridiculous leaping catch.
Angels rookie shortstop Zach Neto makes a CRAZY catch!
pic.twitter.com/hhxU1CgEVS — The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 13, 2023
Angels play-by-play broadcaster Matt Vasgersian summed it up perfectly with his fitting reaction to the catch.
“This dude is something, he is special.”
Many around the MLB world also took notice of the play, singing Neto’s praises on social media.
What a catch by Zach Neto! pic.twitter.com/Aet6dh5k2s
— OddsStack (@OddsStack) June 13, 2023
Zach Neto is the best defensive rookie in the league. Full stop. pic.twitter.com/ToVUqsYied
— ash
(@NHLN0VA) June 13, 2023
It’s hard enough for a veteran to make this kind of play. For a rookie to be doing so clearly shows that he has gold glove potential for years to come for the Angels.
Neto did it with the bat as well in this game, going 2-4 with two doubles, which continues his very impressive recent run at the plate.
After that double, Zach Neto is 8 for his last 16 with 2 doubles and 2 HR.
Now on the season Neto has a .758 OPS while playing stellar defense.
Not bad for a 22 year-old kid who didn’t even play a full year in the minors.
— Jack Janes (@JackJanes_) June 13, 2023
The Angels notably have concerns about star outfielder and pitcher Shohei Ohtani potentially signing elsewhere this upcoming offseason if the two sides do not come to a deal. However, the impressive play of Neto indicates that at the very least he will be a building block of their team for years to come.
[The Comeback on Twitter] Photo Credit: MLB Network