In a thrilling display of athleticism seen in the Double-A Southern League, one of the most stunning catches of the year in professional baseball unfolded on Friday night.
Mark Coley II, a promising talent in the Brewers’ lineup, dazzled fans by robbing a home run with remarkable flair, thwarting a homer by one of baseball’s top-100 prospects, in what may be one of the most outstanding plays of the 2026 season.
In his fourth Double-A appearance, Eric Hartman—a celebrated Braves outfielder ranked 73rd overall and the second-highest prospect on MLB Pipeline—brought his impressive record from High-A, where he belted 24 homers, and launched a powerful drive deep into right-center field at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia.
Stationed at center field, Coley pursued the soaring ball until it neared the wall. Timing his leap perfectly, he reached for the descending shot, making contact with his glove at the critical moment.
However, Coley’s initial attempt wasn’t enough to secure the catch, as he inadvertently knocked the ball onto the warning track in a heart-stopping moment.
As he fell to the dirt, though, Coley caught the ball with his glove while on his backside for what was an incredible F8 putout in the scorebook.
Coley helped save his starter, Manuel Rodriguez, who would have served up back-to-back-to-back home runs had the catch not been made.
It harkened back to Nationals center fielder Jacob Young, who made a circus catch at the wall — using his foot to catch a rebound — last September against the Mets’ Brett Baty.
Dewayne Wise, notably in 2009, saved White Sox hurler Mark Buehrle’s perfect game with a near-identical catch as Coley, though Wise caught his second effort with the bare hand.
Hartman later did get a measure of revenge, doubling to center on a play Coley was unable to catch.
Coley didn’t factor in at the plate for Double-A Biloxi in an 0-for-3 night during a 4-2 loss, but his defense turned plenty of heads.