Nationals’ Jacob Young Stuns with Gravity-Defying Home Run Robbery

In a display of pure athletic wizardry, Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young pulled off a gravity-defying home run robbery during the team’s 5-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Nationals Park on Wednesday. With the Reds leading 3-0 in the eighth inning, Reds left fielder Will Benson crushed a pitch to deep center field, seemingly destined for a two-run homer. But Young had other plans.

Positioned deep in center, Young sprinted to the wall with laser focus, timing his leap to perfection. Planting a foot on the wall, he propelled himself upward, shoulders soaring above the barrier, and snatched the ball from the air in a jaw-dropping catch. As he landed with the grace of a gymnast, Young held his glove aloft, a silent taunt to the baseball gods, before jogging back to the dugout.

While Young’s bat has been quiet this season—hitting just .251 with no home runs and 18 RBI over 76 games—his glove keeps him indispensable. This sensational play is a reminder of why he’s a fixture in the lineup, showcasing elite defensive skills that can turn the tide of any game.

The Reds managed to salvage the final game of the three-game series with this win, after dropping the first two to the Nationals. Looking ahead, the Reds (53-30) face the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday at 7:10 p.m. ET, while the Nationals (41-61) aim to rebound against the Minnesota Twins at 8:10 p.m. ET the same day.