Joey Loperfido made the MLB catch of the year and it's not even close

UNREAL!!!

It’s ok if you don’t know who Joey Loperfido is. I watch plenty of baseball and wasn’t too familiar with him, either.

I absolutely know his name now. The 25-year-old rookie had played just 24 games in The Show heading into Friday’s contest at Target Field against the Minnesota Twins when he made the catch of his life and left baseball fans breathless.

In fact, it’s pretty safe to say this is the catch of the year — especially after the Astros hung on for a much-needed 13-12 victory as they try to catch the first-place Seattle Mariners in the American League West.

Ok, enough talk. Just watch this.

We still can't believe that Joey Loperfido made this catch … pic.twitter.com/cLjBhgeYT0

— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2024

CATCH OF THE YEAR?!

HANDS DOWN! pic.twitter.com/V652egSolj

— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2024

In and out of the glove and caught in Loperfido’s bare hand as he’s falling down at the wall. That is just such a mind-blowing effort.

Granted, the stakes are completely different, but the play brings to mind the catch DeWayne Wise made to preserve Mark Buerhle’s perfect game in 2009.

That’s exactly the type of effort play that keeps a rookie on the roster much longer than expected. Credit to Loperfido for making a catch we’ll be talking about for at least the rest of the season.