MLB’s twelfth week was better characterized by a handful of strong bat drops and flips rather than a stable of over-the-top celebrations. There were clutch, game-deciding home runs to go with splash landings and parties at home plate, and a little something for everyone, whether you prefer more subtle stunts or those that send the Internet into a frenzy. Once again, it’s time to break them all down and rank the best of the best from around the league. Presenting the Best Bat Flips of Week 12 (6/18 – 6/24)! Buckle up!
4. Willy Adames vs. Tyler Kinley
https://gfycat.com/milkyseparatedwarfmongoose
6/19/2021 — MIL @ COL
400ft, 99.7 mph, 32° LA
Willy Adames makes his second BBF appearance of the season with this spirited toss against Colorado’s Tyler Kinley. It was a decisive blow to put Milwaukee back on top in the ninth, and Adames gave us a hop, skip, and flip to celebrate the moment. Adames has looked right at home since being traded to Milwaukee, slashing .286/.351/.504 with ten homers and a 134 wRC+.
Style: 7.5
Rotation: 160°
Flair: 8
3. Brandon Belt vs. Aaron Nola
https://gfycat.com/spiffykindheartedblackandtancoonhound
6/19/2021 — PHI @ SF
423ft, 107.9 mph, 33° LA
Brandon Belt has been reaping the benefits of the Giants’ reduced outfield dimensions with a considerable power surge through the first few months of 2021. This ball, however, would have gone out anywhere as it made a big splash in McCovey Cove. Belt crushed this ball and knew it right off the bat, letting it drop out of his hands and clatter into the dirt.
Style: 8
Speed: 0.9 seconds
Splash: 9
2. Yasmani Grandal vs. Tyler Anderson
https://gfycat.com/thatmealyamphiuma
6/22/2021 — CWS @ PIT
409ft, 104.9 mph, 32° LA
Yasmani Grandal reminded us why he’s the best bat dropper in baseball with this moonshot to dead center off of Tyler Anderson (a bad week for Tylers). Grandal has his quick release down to a science, wasting no time in pimping his swing. That ball’s not coming back, and he (and everyone in the park) knows it.
Style: 8.5
Speed: 0.8 seconds
Magnitude: 7.0
1. Miguel Sanó vs. Heath Hembree
https://gfycat.com/innocentcalculatinghairstreak
6/21/2021 — CIN @ MIN
402ft, 100.1 mph, 29° LA
Miguel Sanó put the team on his back and the bucket on his head when he ended things against Cincinnati at home last Monday night. He drove a not-terrible 3-1 slider from Heath Hembree deep out to left-center and cast his bat aside before taking a highly entertaining trip around the bases. Just watch his last 90 feet: Sanó tosses his helmet pretty much at third base, then does a Silverback shuffle down the line to meet his teammates (and a flurry of liquids) at home plate.
Style: 8.5
Rotation: 0°
Use of Props: 7 (it’s no shopping cart, but still solid)
Honorable Mention: Juan Soto’s Walk
https://t.co/k2e50IafCu pic.twitter.com/N7lfgR2reG
— Blake Finney (@FinneyBlake) June 19, 2021
While he may not have hit a home run last week, Juan Soto still gave us an 80-grade bat flip in response to drawing a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth inning against the Mets. Soto eventually came around to score the winning run on a walk-off single by Nationals’ catcher Yan Gomes, further underscoring the importance of his key at-bat to kickstart the rally.
Photo by Dustin Ian D’Andrea/Flickr | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)
Trammell!