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.

Laughing Gas

Brewers prospect Brett Phillips was promoted to the majors Monday, which prompted a wave of videos to surface of the center fielder’s wacky laugh. He ranked as the Brewers’ No. 12 entering the season and should stick around for as long as Travis Shaw is on paternity leave.

Ladies and gentlemen, @Brett_Phillips8 – the greatest laugh in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/GpvgzrcTx4

— Kevin Holden (@321cuekevin) February 26, 2016

New Kids on the Block

The Modesto Nuts ran a “Kids Run the Stadium” night last week, where kids aged 6-14 were able to shadow Nuts employees throughout the game. They were able to do everything from usher people to their seats to co-announcing plays to being the honorary GM for the day.

Wally, I shrunk the employees👷👷??? #KidsRunTheStadium pic.twitter.com/5XCEwJwwl1

— Modesto Nuts (@ModestoNuts) May 27, 2017

Turning Back the Clock

The Toledo Mud Hens are putting together a Dream Team. No, not on the field . . . their uniforms. Toledo will pay homage to arguably the best team to ever grace a court with these great-looking jerseys. Just don’t mistake 6-foot-7 Steven Moya for a basketball player once these uniforms are on.

We’re honoring the 1992 US men’s Olympic basketball team with these ‘Dream Team Jerseys’ from 6/30 through 7/3. pic.twitter.com/um5oC6nGIF

— Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) June 5, 2017

Three The Easy Way

Turn 3?? pic.twitter.com/DMCN3PAPiA

— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) June 6, 2017

The Triple-A Iowa Cubs turned a triple play Monday against Oklahoma City (Dodgers) when Charlie Culberson lined a ball that shortstop Elliot Soto grabbed, and threw to second baseman Chesny Young.

Loose Cannon

Orlando Calixte certainly showed off his arm on Monday night, unleashing a throw from left field in the first inning to try and nab the runner heading home. Unfortunately, it was just a little off. The ball carried straight over Buster Posey’s head all the way to the backstop and allowed two runs to score. You’ll get em next time, Orlando.

Orlando Calixte airmails throw for @SFGiants so poorly that it somehow bounces into netting by the stands, allowing @Brewers run to score. pic.twitter.com/PxQOUD64Tv

— Shlomo Sprung (@SprungOnSports) June 6, 2017

Tag . . . You’re It!

Tommy Pham got a little aggressive on the basepaths Saturday when he inched closer to second base with Jon Lester on the mound. Lester’s well-known avoidance to throw to first had Pham feeling confident, obtaining a 19-foot lead at one point. But he strayed a little too far from the safety and got caught in the middle. Lester did it!

Happenings at Baseball America:

The BA 500 list came out Monday and is the ultimate guide to the upcoming draft. It’s Logomania! Go and pick out your favorite New Era caps every day from June 5 to June 30. Josh Norris covered the sale of the the Las Vegas 51s’ Cashman Field. Carlos Collazo wrote about how touted draft prospect Joe Perez will require Tommy John surgery. Michael Lananna covered the Demon Deacons and their thunderous bats in his regional roundup. Teddy Cahill learned about how Kentucky was prepared to beat any team that stood in their way with a “biggie box.” Finally, Vince Lara-Cinisomo rounded up Davidson’s Cinderella story now that they’re on their way to a super-regional.