J.P. Arencibia from his knees throws out David Ortiz-djkfmvf0416
Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz probably figured he would catch the Toronto Blue Jays napping, trying to steal a base like that with his team down a run in the seventh inning Monday night. But Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia was ready — so ready that Arencibia didn’t even need to stand up to make a strong and accurate throw to second base. Watch as Arencibia finds his inner Benito Santiago and makes the play of the day. Indians Jersey
And Ortiz was finito at second base, as shortstop Yunel Escobar appeared to put the tag on his sensitive place just before he reached the bag. The Red Sox would come back to win the game, but Ortiz was still steamed about being thrown out by the time reporters got to him.
As Toronto’s broadcasters mentioned, it’s not the first time this season Arencibia has made a throw like that.
During Toronto’s 16-inning season opener at Cleveland, Arencibia of course hit the game-winning homer after his bunting misadventure. But he also shined behind the plate, cutting down Shin-Soo Choo at second by making another throw from his knees. It turns out that Arencibia’s got more than just a prayer after hitting his knees, eh?
It’s a freakish thing to play defense like that. Hardly anyone has done it. We’ll see if Arencibia continues to try it, as Ortiz said semi-ominously, “when guys are fast.”
Arencibia has really improved a ton as a catcher. Hopefully his bat will come around a little bit as the season gets rolling and he gets into a routine. With Arencibia, Lawrie, Rasmus and Escobar its easy to see why baseball people like the Jays in coming years.
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