San Francisco Giants center fielder Mike Yastrzemski is thriving this year. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Hunter Pence to Mike Yastrzemski: 'You’re one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/24/20

After losing eight of 10 games from Aug. 7-17, the San Francisco Giants have managed to win their last six games, propelling themselves back into playoff contention. However, they wouldn't have been able to do so without one budding star.

Mike Yastrzemski is having a fantastic season for the Giants, and he's played a major role in San Francisco's current six-game streak. The 30-year-old drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded walk against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday and also drove in the go-ahead run on Sunday with a home run that sailed over the center-field fence.

Oh, and don't forget his leaping catch in right field on Saturday to save a run and help San Francisco secure the win.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Love,@mikeyaz18 ✍️ pic.twitter.com/uWycqmGnQM
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 23, 2020

That catch was nearly identical to one made by Hunter Pence during the 2014 postseason, and the 37-year-old made sure to let Yastrzemski know it was a phenomenal catch.

“You know, that was way better than any catch I’ve ever made,” Pence said, according to The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly and Grant Brisbee. “That’s one of the best catches I’ve ever seen at this park. And I told him, ‘Dude, I don’t mean to be too much, but you’re one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen.'”

Yastrzemski, a late bloomer, didn't make his Major League Baseball debut until last year, but he's made sure that everyone knows he can play ball just like his grandfather, Boston Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski.

This season, Yastrzemski is hitting .309 at the plate with 23 RBI, seven home runs, 34 hits, a 1.034 OPS and a stolen base. If he keeps performing the way he is, the Giants are going to be good for a very long time.

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