Texas Rangers left fielder Eli White. (Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports)
Texas Rangers outfielder Eli White made a spectacular home run theft on Memorial Day, denying Ji-Man Choi over the fence.
Onn Monday night, the difference between a three-run lead for the Rays and a sigh of relief for the Rangers was the length of Eli White’s arm.
The center fielder made an incredible leaping catch over the top of the fence to prevent a three-run home run for Ji-Man Choi in the first inning.
It was an incredible highlight for White to get the night started in front of the home crowd.
You have to see this Eli White robbery to believe it
When Choi came to the plate, the Rays already had Wander Franco and Randy Arozarena on second and first respectively. His effort may have advanced the runners, but it was by the thinnest of margins that he didn’t trot around the bases himself.
It turned out to be a vital defensive play as the Rangers got out of the situation unscathed. They went on to score two runs in the bottom of the first to add insult to injury for Tampa Bay.
White has a reputation for being incredibly fast. It turns out he has exceptional hops as well.
It will be tough to top that one this season.
White is batting just .171/.267/.237 in 2022. However, with eight stolen bases and defensive plays like that, his place in the outfield is justified.