Jake Rogers deserved inside-the-park home run for work of art vs. Guardians

Jake Rogers isn't exactly a speedy guy, but being speedy (at least on the base paths) isn't really in his job description. As co-catcher to the better-than-expected Carson Kelly, Rogers' defense behind the plate ranks in the 95th percentile, with his framing and pop time in particular making him one of the best and most underrated defensive catchers in the league. His offense has always been rather subpar, but that doesn't deviate far from the norm for backstops.

His sprint speed is in the 41st percentile, making him a perfectly (little less than) average runner. The lack of doubles throughout his career certainly speaks to that; last year, he hit 10 more homers than doubles.

This is what made Rogers' feat on Monday evening even more of a novelty. In the top of the second, with the Tigers already up 2-0, Rogers came up and hit what probably should've just been a bloop single just 261 feet into shallow center field. The Guardians' Angel Martínez charged it and hit the ground hard as he slid to catch it, but it never even hit his glove. Instead, it bounced right by him and traveled further toward the track.

Wenceel Pérez scored, and Rogers motored around to second as the Guardians outfielders checked on Martínez and took their sweet time to make a play. Jhonkensy Noel eventually picked up the ball and the Guardians made a valiant effort to throw him out at home on the relay as Rogers got waved around by third base coach Joey Cora.

Rogers got down and slid just under the mitt of catcher Austin Hedges. It was a close play, but he was called safe at home. 4-0, Tigers. Jason Benetti's call on the play said it all, "Into a snow angel! Blazing catcher speed!"

Jake Rogers' inside-the-park home run ruled a triple and an error during Tigers-Guardians on Monday

The Guardians challenged the call but it was for naught: Rogers was safe at the plate. He did, however, get snubbed of an inside-the-park home run designation, and it was instead chalked up to a triple and an E8 on Martínez, his first triple of the season.

It was an injustice, but at least it was a funny one. Rogers was huffing and puffing as he made it around second, clearly determined to make it to third at the very least. He visibly slowed from the sprinting as he went down the third base line, but a fantastic slide and some stalling on the part of the Guardians outfield made the call a close one (but a great one).

If the play hadn't been ruled a triple, it would've been the first Little League homer of Rogers' career, and the second for the Tigers this season after Justyn-Henry Malloy did it on June 30. Ah, well. At least we know what Rogers is capable of now. Opposing catchers should watch out for this guy — he might be a sneaky steal threat.