WEST SACRAMENTO -- Pitcher Ryan Gusto and the rest of the Astros sure seemed exhilarated by third baseman Luis Guillorme's jaw-dropping catch during the fourth inning Monday at Sutter Health Park.
“That was my favorite play,” Gusto said. “I think that was by far the best catch I’ve witnessed being on the mound.”
But if Guillorme harbored any excitement about his latest highlight-reel defensive gem, he sure didn’t show it.
After Monday’s 3-1, walk-off loss to the Athletics in West Sacramento, Guillorme matter-of-factly walked reporters through the play -- in what was a fair bit of an understatement.
“Fly ball, thought it was going to slice a little more, ended up coming back a little bit,” the veteran infielder said. “That’s why I ended up having to get off my feet. I think that was really it.”
Maybe, if you’re Guillorme, plays like Monday’s simply get old.
After all, when you’re a defensive whiz in his eighth Major League season -- who once CAUGHT A BASEBALL BAT in the dugout without a flinch -- it’s a bit of “been there, done that.” Right?
“It was a great play,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “Guillorme’s done plays like that his entire career.”
That’s a big reason why Guillorme finds himself with the first-place Astros after having his contract selected from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday. He made his presence known from the jump in his third game with Houston, charging in from third to barehand a soft ground ball from A’s rookie Jacob Wilson in the first inning and firing off balance across the diamond. In the third, another barehanded play followed as Guillorme cut down A’s catcher Willie MacIver.
Then it was time for the main event.
OK, Guillorme already gave his rundown of the play, but those who saw it live still find it hard to get over. The instant the ball left Tyler Soderstrom’s bat, Guillorme sprinted back and to his left, well into the outfield and not far from the foul line. As he tracked the baseball over his head, Guillorme even had time to wave off left fielder Mauricio Dubón with a quick shake of his right hand.
“I didn’t hear him call it off, so I just went off and did it,” Guillorme said.
An instant after gesturing to Dubón, Guillorme propelled himself off the ground while contorting his body back the other direction, toward center field. He snagged the baseball with his outstretched glove hand at the apex of his dive, then tumbled to the outfield grass.
Whether it was the heat of the moment or a hard landing on his knee, Guillorme said it took him a second to process the difficulty of the stellar play he had just made.
“I think it’s one of those where I go running and all of a sudden I stand up after making the play and I’m like, ‘How’d I get here?’” he said. “That’s really it.”
The rest of the Astros knew right away that Guillorme had made a catch few infielders ever attempt, let alone complete. After Gusto struck out Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz to end a 1-2-3 fourth inning, he sought out his third baseman in the Houston dugout. The 6-foot-4 Gusto enveloped Guillorme in a hug.
“I was like, ‘Dude, thank you,’” the pitcher said. “‘That was sick.’”
It was the latest display of defensive dominance from Guillorme, whose fielding has always been his way to earn playing time. Guillorme has made more than 50 career appearances at second base, third base and shortstop, giving the Astros a valuable and versatile piece on their roster.
“When you try to move things around late in the game, you know that you can put him anywhere on the infield,” Espada said.
Guillorme has proven his capability with the bat as well as the glove. He hit as well as .333 with an .865 OPS in limited plate appearances back in 2020 and has hit .250 with a career .657 OPS.
Naturally, in the top of the fifth on Monday, the half-inning after his outstanding catch, Guillorme ripped a line-drive single into right. It was the perfect capper to what was by all accounts an impressive day.
All accounts but one, anyway. Sure, Guillorme might have downplayed his eye-popping catch, but the Astros know what they’ve got.
“He just shows up every day and plays different positions, makes plays,” Jose Altuve said. “He’s a great player.”