Braves' Michael Harris II makes 'catch of the year' with jaw-dropping home run robbery vs. Phillies

Was this the best catch in MLB this season? Harris' manager thinks so

By R.J. Anderson Sep 1, 2024 at 10:19 am ET• 2 min read

The Atlanta Braves lost to the Philadelphia Phillies by a 3-0 final on Saturday night (box score), ensuring that the best outcome they can achieve from this weekend's four-game series is a split that will leave their deficit in the division back where it started. Nonetheless, Braves fans did gain one moment from Saturday night's game that they'll hold onto for a while: a brilliant catch by center fielder Michael Harris II.

Atlanta trailed by a 2-0 margin in the bottom of the seventh when Phillies outfielder Austin Hays smoked a ball to center. Harris appeared to have a beat on it, but quickly began to run out of space. Just before he reached the wall, he leapt, contorted himself, and made a home-run-saving grab that nearly took him into the Phillies bullpen.

Here is it in all its moving picture glory:

One of the best catches you'll ever see:@MoneyyyMikeee | #BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/H4GKg9N0dR

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 1, 2024

"You probably saw the catch of the year right there," Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters. "That's what I told [Harris]. I said, 'We'll be watching that one for the next 24 hours.'"

The "catch of the year" label is, of course, subjective, but MLB has had two strong entries to the conversation this week with Travis Jankowksi's game-saving home-run robbery to go with Harris' leaping snag.