Gio Urshela's top defensive plays of 2020

Art or Photo Credit: USA Today

These days in Major League Baseball, there's no shortage of stupendous defensive third baseman manning the hot corner.

One of those elite members is New York Yankees infielder Gio Urshela, who was recently named a 2020 Gold Glove Award finalist.

The 29-year-old Colombia native has become a poster boy for the kinds of low-risk, high-reward players Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has made a habit of acquiring, and in 2020, Gio put together a highlight reel that ranks among the best of the best.

Here now, in chronological order, we take a look at 10 of his most jaw-dropping defensive highlights.

1) July 18 - 6th inning vs. New York Mets
As the Yankees prepared to get the regular season underway after a delayed start, the team took on the crosstown-rival Mets for an exhibition game and Urshela flashed a glimpse of his smoothness that fans would enjoy all year long.

Gio Urshela always plays it cool on defense 🕶️

Posted by YES Network on Saturday, July 18, 2020

2) August 3 - 1st inning vs. Philadelphia Phillies
It didn't take long for Urshela to notch his first highlight of the game as the Yankees hosted Joe Girardi and the Phillies. When Rhys Hoskins grounded one down the third base line, Gio was ready to take care of business.

3) August 12 - 2nd inning vs. Atlanta Braves
Running with a full head of steam to his right, Gio delivered a perfect throw across his body and across the diamond to get Braves third baseman Austin Riley for the impressive out.

"Urshela does make defensive plays look very easy."

Posted by YES Network on Thursday, August 13, 2020

4) August 19 - 3rd inning vs. Tampa Bay Rays
In the Yankees' second regular-season series against the formidable Rays this year, Gio nearly took a tumble into the Tampa Bay dugout to make a spectacular running grab in foul territory.

What a play by GIO!

Posted by YES Network on Wednesday, August 19, 2020

5) August 20 - 8th inning vs. Tampa Bay Rays
The very next day, Urshela struck again against the rival Rays, this time robbing catcher Mike Zunino of an infield hit with a stunning barehand play on a weak ground ball down the foul line.

Gio Urshela BAREHANDS it for the incredible play!

Posted by YES Network on Thursday, August 20, 2020

6) September 3 - 5th inning vs. New York Mets
As the Bombers welcomed the Mets to the Bronx, Gio failed to give former Yankee Todd Frazier a warm welcome when he erased a likely extra-base hit down the line with another perfect throw across the diamond.

Gio Urshela is so cool in the hot corner.

Posted by YES Network on Thursday, September 3, 2020

7) September 18 - 8th inning vs. Boston Red Sox
In one of the great comeback wins of the season for New York, Urshela helped keep the Bombers in the hunt with a stellar backhand play on a short hop to keep Red Sox second baseman Christian Arroyo off base late in the action. Zack Britton, like every Yankees fan, was rightfully amazed.

8) September 24 - 4th inning vs. Toronto Blue Jays
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Super-Gio! The Yankees third baseman took flight to keep Randal Grichuk off the base paths with a phenomenal leaping grab for another sensational play on the 2020 highlight reel.

GIO with some UPS!

Posted by YES Network on Thursday, September 24, 2020

9) September 30, Wild Card Game 2 - 8th inning vs. Cleveland Indians
It's easy to argue Urshela's most astounding play in the toughest of spots came in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Indians. The Yankees trailed by a run hoping to sweep Cleveland with a comeback win, and sure enough, Urshela helped turn a double play (from his rear-end!) to keep the Indians from extending their lead. The Bombers went on to win and Gio took home his well-earned championship belt.

10) October 5, ALDS Game 1 - 2nd inning vs. Tampa Bay Rays
As the Bombers kicked off their ALDS matchup against the Rays behind Gerrit Cole, Urshela's defense was back on display as he showed off his vertical reach to take a hit away from Manuel Margot in the early going.