The Upper Deck

Welcome to The Upper Deck, Baseball America’s daily look at the biggest stories around the game and some lighter fare. If you have videos, GIFs, photos or stories you want us to know about and feature in this space, send to Vince Lara on Twitter at @vincelara.

Sitting-Room Only

Troy Tulowitzki has won five Gold Gloves in his career. He once turned an unassisted triple play. He has a career .985 fielding percentage. Simply put, the Blue Jays’ shortstop knows how to use a glove. Oakland’s Khris Davis was the latest batter to learn that the hard way on Wednesday, when Tulowitzki was able to help throw him out without even having to stand up.

Tulo – from his wallet! pic.twitter.com/CC4OYj0vRU

— MLB (@MLB) June 7, 2017

You Betts Believe It!

Off the bat, it sure seemed like New York’s Chris Carter was just seconds away from watching his seventh home run of the season sail over the wall in right field. But, with the help of a fan, Boston’s Mookie Betts made a case for a second-consecutive Gold Glove with a leap and a grab to rob Carter.

Bombs Away

Christian Walker has been teaching Pacific Coast League pitchers one thing all year: his power is not to be tested. With his three-run shot on Wednesday against Tacoma, Walker added to his lead in the minor league home run category. In 57 games with the Reno Aces, Houston’s Triple-A affiliate, Walker has 17 home runs, and is hitting .280/.342/.587.

Gone in a Hurry

Marcell Ozuna already has 15 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .323 batting average this season; Now he can add “hardest home run” to his resume. His fifth-inning home run against the Cubs’ John Lackey left the park at 113.1-mph, the fastest the league has seen this year, per Statcast.

Oh, Marcell.

That one got out at 113.1 mph, his hardest-hit homer of the season. https://t.co/iy5RmvLhaX #Statcast pic.twitter.com/HBpi58wvKW

— #Statcast (@statcast) June 8, 2017

All Smiles

Jean Segura shook the transaction wire on Wednesday when he signed a five-year, $70 million extension with the Seattle Mariners. Hey, you’d be smiling too if your dad was $70 million richer.

Someone’s happy for dad. 😄 pic.twitter.com/4kR7Y25iFJ

— Mariners (@Mariners) June 7, 2017

The King is Here

Jerry Lawler has made a career off of wrestling and commenting on it for more than forty years. Now, he’s taking in some minor league baseball. The Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the White Sox, welcomed Lawler to BB&T Park as part of their “Royalty Knight.”

.@WWE #HOF @JerryLawler is here & he’s signing autographs for fans as part of the @HarrisTeeter & @Gain #CelebSeries! #RoyaltyKnight👑 pic.twitter.com/nupjEuUsP9

— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) June 7, 2017

Not on Charlie’s Watch

Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor had his eye on third base, but Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon—with the help of a diving Nolan Arenado—rocketed a ball from deep center field to secure the double-play.

Happenings at Baseball America

Minor league All-Star rosters are being announced left and right, as Michael Kopech and Ronald Acuna highlight the Southern League rosters, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette highlight the Midwest League’s roster. While 16 teams are left fighting for trip to Omaha, a host of others are doing everything they can to have the chance to do so next season. Tennessee hired former Arkansas recruiting coordinator Tony Vitello to lead the program, while Cincinnati hired Scott Googins as its new head coach. On the international side, the Cardinals signed 23-year-old pitcher Hector Mendoza from Cuba. Ben Badler has the details here.