The Upper Deck — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

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

Welcome to the Show

.@ymoncada19's first at-bat. #MoncadaDay pic.twitter.com/QALlbXUHcU

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 20, 2017

Yoan Moncada, the No. 1 prospect in the game, made his long-awaited White Sox debut on Wednesday night. Moncada went 0-for-2 with a walk. The game lasted just eight innings due to rain as the Dodgers went on to spoil Moncada’s debut with a 9-1 win against Chicago.

Rocked

Nolan going once!
Nolan going twice!
Nolan going three times! pic.twitter.com/ipXh6MApks

— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 19, 2017

Nolan Arenado hit not one, not two, but three homers as the Rockies exploded for 21 hits in a an 18-4 win against the Padres. Arenado finished 5-for-6 with four runs, seven RBIs and three homers. Not a bad day at the ballpark. Arenado wasn’t the only Colorado player to shine in the win. Four other Rockies had three or more hits.

Power Surge

.@Giancarlo818 belts 9th HR in his past 12 games, matching @TheJudge44 atop MLB leaderboard with No. 30. pic.twitter.com/krSzog499L

— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2017

Giancarlo Stanton is on some crazy power surge right now. Stanton hit his ninth homer in 12 games in Wednesday’s loss to the Phillies to tie Aaron Judge for the MLB lead with 30. With 11 days left in the month, Stanton already has the most July home runs in Marlins history. Unfortunately for Stanton, the homers haven’t done much to help Miami’s fortunes. The team has dropped five of its past six games.

Uphill Battle

MAY WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE. You are going to want to see @RaimelTapia make this catch! #MuchoSwagger #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/bhFVzqg8fd

— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) July 20, 2017

Triple-A Albuquerque (Rockies) center fielder Raimel Tapia on Wednesday night made one of the most impressive catches you’ll ever see. Tapia ran up the hill in center to the deepest part of Isotopes Park to make a catch. The thing is, this is nothing new for Tapia. He made a similar catch on the hill earlier this season.

REMINDER: @RaimelTapia has done this before… pic.twitter.com/tndYSBu0Cf

— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) July 20, 2017

Picture Perfect

Not only does Richie Shaffer hit HRs, he also takes them away!!

We head to the ninth at Huntington Park, Clippers and Bisons tied at 4-4. pic.twitter.com/fE39yKAJkX

— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) July 20, 2017

Triple-A Columbus outfielder Richie Shaffer robbed Buffalo (Blue Jays) catcher Raffy Lopez of a homer with a leaping grab at the wall during the Clippers’ win Wednesday night. Even more impressive than the catch might have been the photographer’s ability to capture the shot.

#Bisons Raffy Lopez was robbed of a second homer Wednesday night. Brooke LaValley/Dispatch, insanely good 📸 pic.twitter.com/tBmS5YwJdE

— Ben Wagner (@benwag247) July 20, 2017

Happenings at Baseball America

Baseball America’s midseason prospect updates are coming in hot. On Wednesday the Reds and the rest of the NL Central had their lists unveiled. The coaches for the U.S. Collegiate National team enjoyed spending time this summer performing different duties than they are used to.