Reds’ Hamilton makes lowest probability catch of 2018 season

June 18 (UPI) — Cincinnati Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton showed off his range and speed with a full extension diving catch against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Hamilton honed in on the baseball in the first inning of the Reds’ 8-6 win Sunday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani forced Josh Harrison into a line out and got Austin Meadows to fly out in the bottom of the inning, before Fransisco Cervelli walked to the plate.

The Pirates catcher swung away on DeSclafani’s first offering. He sent the 93-mph fastball very deep to right center field.

Hamilton – – one of the fastest players in Major League Baseball – – used split second reaction time to fly toward the warning track. He left his feet and lunged toward the outfield wall, snagging the baseball just as it was about to fall to the dirt. He secured the final out of the inning by catching the ball at the end of the webbing of his glove.

Cervelli had already rounded first base when Hamilton made the catch. He applauded the outfielder’s effort. Hamilton had a two percent probability of making the catch, according to Statcast. That is the lowest catch probability so far in the 2018 season. He also covered 83 feet while running 30.6 feet per second.

The Reds’ speedy outfielder also went 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored.