Mets star makes astonishing catch on his MLB debut… but here's why it was a terrible decision

New York Mets rookie Nick Morabito endured a bittersweet MLB debut on Tuesday night, pulling off a breathtaking defensive play that ultimately cost his team a vital run.

The 23-year-old outfielder, who was called up from the Triple A-Syracuse earlier in the day, started in left field against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. 

With the Mets already unraveling after blowing an early 5-0 lead, Morabito showed off his elite speed by sprinting toward the left-field sidewall in the bottom of the third inning. 

Nationals batter Jorbit Vivas sliced a high ball deep into foul territory, prompting the rookie to make a spectacular, crashing catch directly against the wall. 

While the incredible grab sent the traveling Mets dugout into temporary raptures, the rookie’s instinct overrode situational awareness in what proved to be a costly mistake.

Because the sensational catch was made in foul territory with less than two outs, it legally counted as a live-ball sacrifice fly for the home side.

Morabito showed off his speed by sprinting toward the sidewall and making a stunning catch

However, because the sensational catch was made in foul territory with less than two outs, it legally counted as a live-ball sacrifice fly for the home side

Washington’s Daylen Lile tagged up immediately from third base, easily trotting home to extend the Nationals’ lead to 7-5 while Morabito picked himself up from the dirt. 

Had the young outfielder simply let the ball drop harmlessly into the seats, it would have merely been counted as a strike, keeping the runner anchored at third base. 

Frustrated fans quickly took to social media as they reacted to the unfortunate moment. 

One fan on X wrote: ‘An amazing foul territory catch that, if let go, a run doesn’t score. An inside the park Grand Slam. Every day there’s something in baseball that I have never seen. God I love this sport.’

Some fans, however, weren’t quite as forgiving. Another said: ‘What a dumb play. Let it go and you have 2 strikes. Gave them a free run’. 

The error capped off a miserable night for the Mets, who fell 9-6 after a brutal inside-the-park grand slam by James Wood completely sank their pitching staff.