The Upper Deck

Welcome to The Upper Deck, Baseball America’s daily look at the biggest stories around the game and some lighter fare.

Sox of the Future

101 MPH!!

That's not fair to your teammate, @MichaelKopech5! #FuturesGame pic.twitter.com/cJQOiUGcdo

— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 9, 2017

White Sox prospects Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech got a chance to face each other in the Futures Game on Sunday. Moncada is probably hoping the matchup doesn’t happen again in their careers. Kopech gassed Moncada with a 101 mph fastball for the strikeout.

Just A Warmup

this ball still hasn't landed btw… pic.twitter.com/Xj0l7lp4vH

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 9, 2017

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon will compete in the Home Run Derby Monday night. He hit this 477-foot bomb Sunday to warm up for the event. Blackmon’s teammate Kyle Freeland also took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of Colorado’s 10-0 win against the White Sox before Melky Cabrera broke it up with a single with one out.

Aqua Bomb

High schooler Elijah Cabell is cranking homers off the sculpture at @MarlinsPark. #ASG pic.twitter.com/sRxHCmQH2f

— MLB (@MLB) July 9, 2017

Elijah Cabell, a 2018 third baseman and outfielder from Florida, impressed at the Tournament of Stars by having the second-fastest exit velocity at the event. He flashed some pop again at the High School Home Run Derby in Marlins Park on Sunday. Cabell hit a ball off the sculpture in center field. Wow.

The Mane

.@Bharper3407 picked up an RBI single on Sunday. All it cost him was his helmet. https://t.co/0D8rJL7PmC pic.twitter.com/Eof9Jyw8yh

— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 10, 2017

I don’t think this video needs too much of a description. Just look at that hair. Majestic. . . . Oh yeah, Harper’s also Top 10 in the NL in batting, RBIs and homers heading into the all-star break.

No Worries for The Rest Of Your Days . . .

What a wonderful phrase. pic.twitter.com/nqR4CijsAV

— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) July 9, 2017

Futures Coverage

Check out baseballamerica.com for plenty of coverage on Sunday’s Futures Game. JJ Cooper recapped the event; Ben Badler handed down superlatives for the game’s top performers, and there is plenty more.