Javy Baez's bat-flinging, off-the-bounce single is the wildest base hit of the year

Javy Baez regularly makes the outrageous look ordinary. He can turn fly balls into the first row into outs. He can turn sure outs into physics-defying escapes. He can play shortstop and center field at the same time. It's even earned him one of baseball's coolest nicknames: El Mago, "The Magician."

During Monday afternoon's game against the Pirates, however, "The Magician" upgraded to "The Warlock":

Báez off the bounce. 😱 pic.twitter.com/gFbtDKCZL4

— MLB (@MLB) April 8, 2019

Yes, that ball bounced before it reached home plate. Yes, he did literally fling his bat at it. No, this is not the Twilight Zone. Javy, your thoughts?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/gDlkRDmYXe

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) April 8, 2019

A magician never reveals his secrets.