Nationals and Marlins Fawn Over Jacob Young's Most Recent 'Unbelievable' Catch
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By now, just about everyone around the baseball world knows that Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young is an elite defender.
Not only was he a back-to-back Gold Glove finalist in 2024 and 2025, but he also makes highlight-worthy plays throughout the season that could make the compilation of Greatest Catches of All Time. And on Sunday, he added to that tally with one of the best defensive plays that has ever been seen.
"Unbelievable," was how Nationals starting pitcher Jackson Kent described Young's catch.
In the bottom of the third inning, Miami Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernandez sent a shot to center. Based on the way the ball was traveling, it looked like it was either going to go over the fence or at least clang off the wall for extra bases. But Young scaled the fence and caught the ball in what was one of the best defensive plays of all time.
JACOB YOUNG CLIMBS THE TALLEST WALL POSSIBLE pic.twitter.com/98AHpzTYV6
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 23, 2026
Young, who has earned the nickname "Spider-Man" for looking like the superhero when he makes those types of plays, downplayed what he did on Sunday. After all, he's no stranger to making highlight reel robberies. However, what he can do with his glove never fails to impress those who witness it in person.
"Unbelievable play. It was huge for us, right?" manager Blake Butera said, per MLB.com. "In the game where it was right there, that would have been a two-run homer. It was an unbelievable catch. He does it day in and day out. Just really impressive."
Butera wasn't the only skipper who was amazed by what he saw. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough had some high praise for what Young pulled off, too.
Marlins Manager Clayton McCullough Stunned by Jacob Young's Catch
"One of the best catches I've ever seen live," McCullough stated. "I really couldn't even see it because of the videoboard back there. You just see this guy jump up, and next thing, he's throwing the ball back in. It was like Otis Nixon from the early '90s, with the Braves, when he went into right-center and made a play, to scale that wall."
The incredible catch overshadowed the second part of the play that made it so impressive. Young had the presence of mind to get the ball back to the infield as quickly as possible so they could double up the runner who was standing on third base in disbelief that Young caught the ball in the first place. That double play got Washington out of the inning, and it bought Kent some more time to try and save the already-taxed bullpen unit.
Unfortunately, that play didn't spark a Nationals win. Washington ultimately lost Sunday's contest. That resulted in them getting swept by Miami to push their record down to 10 games under .500 at 61-71. They are playing their worst baseball right now, and the once-exciting season has come crashing down with a little over a month remaining in the 2026 campaign.
Still, that doesn't take away from what Young did during this play, as his latest incredible catch impressed everyone in the sports world.
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Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he worked at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad became the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continued to cover Penn State athletics. Currently, Brad is the Publisher for Washington Nationals On SI and covers multiple teams across the On SI network. He is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, where he and his co-host discuss topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai