Zach McKinstry thought he had a chance with his toss.
A ball was hit into right field, and the Detroit Tiger utility man sprinted toward it, turning his body as it landed nicely inside his glove.
The ball exploded into his fingers and flew toward a waiting Javier Báez after he spun over his shoulder.
Despite a runner racing home for the Tampa Bay Rays, the brave decision to go for the play at third base paid off, as the throw reached Báez for a timely tag during a crucial part of the Tigers’ 5-1 victory on Monday night.
How many natural outfielders can consistently make that play is beyond me. Manager A.J. Hinch stated, “That’s an athlete playing a position and using his skillset.” “That is a sense of the game that not all outfielders experience either.”
The 30-year-old from Central Michigan had another outstanding game for the Tigers, including a solo home run late in the game and a couple defensive gems. McKinstry is having something of a breakout season.
McKinstry has demonstrated exceptional defensive ability by playing six different defensive positions this season, mostly at third base and right field.
The former Los Angeles Dodger enjoys being able to influence the game from almost anywhere on the field.
After the game, McKinstry told reporters, “I love going out there and just being an athlete, doing what I can to help the team.” “How many guys can say they’ve done that?” “I feel like I can help the team win from right field, third base.”
McKinstry’s flexibility and the excitement of witnessing more “incredible” plays like Monday night, as catcher Dillon Dingler described them, are undoubtedly advantageous to his club.
Hinch has been pleased with McKinstry’s remarkable performance this season, in addition to playing for one of the league’s top clubs.
Hinch described him as “understated.” You may lose yourself in a tiny bit of what he has to offer because he performs someplace new every day. Everything.
For the All-Star game, McKinstry won’t necessarily hold his breath.
The call to send him to Atlanta as a rookie, along with the four other Tigers scheduled to compete, may not come, despite the fact that his versatility makes him a strong contender to replace any injured or unavailable players presently on the All-Star squad.
Before beginning to aim for another fantastic stretch of baseball that will validate what McKinstry and his teammates already know—that he belongs there—he already has plans to spend the time off unwinding at a lake in Washington state.
“We’ll see, but there is definitely hope. It’s okay if not,” McKinstry remarked. “I’m going to show that I should have been there by going and having a fantastic second half.”
