Watch: Royals' Merrifield swipes 2nd with next-level swim slide

Whit Merrifield will go to great lengths to steal a base.

The Kansas City Royals second baseman appeared dead in the water Saturday afternoon while trying to swipe second off of Cleveland Indians starter Carlos Carrasco, who stepped off quickly to nail Merrifield at second. Then Merrifield decided to go swimming, and pulled off one of the most epic swim slides you'll ever see to somehow avoid Giovanny Urshela's multiple tag attempts and steal his 30th base of the season.

The only reasonable conclusion: Whit Merrifield is, in fact, a licensed magician moonlighting as a baseball player.