Colorado Rockies: Nolan Arenado analyzes his highlight reel play

Since potentially making Major League Baseball’s play of the year in San Francisco, Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies has had some time to reflect on a diving stop and stunning recovery that will make highlight reels for years to come.

With San Francisco’s Matt Cain at the plate, the Giants pitcher slapped a ball between third base and shortstop that Nolan dove for then smothered, spun on the ground and threw to first base to get the out.

It was one of those plays that when you saw it, you knew you had seen something special. In fact, words simply don’t describe it. You can see it for yourself below.

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With the Rockies finally back home after a nine-game road trip, Arenado was not only talking about starting for the National League at third base but also about the defensive play that still has Major League Baseball and its fans buzzing.

“Honestly, I was upset about it because I missed it on the first dive,” Arenado told Rox Pile and other members of the media inside the Rockies clubhouse. “Obviously the recovery was nice. I didn’t realize what it was until (Trevor) Story was telling me how nice it was and how sick it was. Whatever happens, I have Mark (Reynolds) over there and it feels good having him over there because it feels like I can just throw it and he’ll make the play. Luckily enough, he didn’t have to scoop it or anything. Those are just one of those plays where there isn’t a lot of thinking. You just get it off and hopefully you get them out.”

As good as the play was, Arenado knows that it wouldn’t have been complete without a stretch at first base from Reynolds. The 26-year-old third baseman spent part of Monday’s pregame moments with the media praising his first baseman, who he hopes will also be on the National League All-Star roster. Reynolds is battling four other players in the Final Vote for the last remaining roster spot.

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“He’s great. He’s one of the better first basemen I’ve ever had,” Arenado said. “I’ve had some good ones with Todd (Helton), (Justin) Morneau. They scoop my stuff all the time. Todd saved me a bunch of errors and Mark has done the same. He’s done the same thing for our whole team.”