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.

Living Up to Their Name

Lowell Spinners, Fidget Spinners–same thing, right? The Red Sox’s short-season affiliate announced a giveaway for Aug. 8, where fans will receive a custom Lowell-themed fidget spinner. The three-pronged toy is the latest fad sweeping the nation and the Internet, and the Spinners were quick to strike while the iron is hot.

Speed Demon

He’s just a few months into his career in the Brewers’ organization, and Mauricio Dubon is already breaking records. Playing for Double-A Biloxi, the 22-year-old shortstop swiped his 26th base of the season—a Shuckers record.

Judge-ment Day

He’s leading the league in home runs. He’s the top vote-getter in the American League. Now, Aaron Judge is in right field making highlight-reel plays. Boston’s Jackie Bradley Jr. was trying for extra bases on Tuesday night, but New York’s star rookie had a different idea.

Not one . . . not two . . . not three . . . four!

Scooter Gennett made news on Tuesday night when he became the first Reds player to hit four home runs in a game and just the 17th in MLB history. Gennett launched a grand slam in the third inning, followed by a two-run shot in the fourth, a solo shot in the sixth and another two-run bomb in the eighth. He also drove in a run with a single in the first in Cincinnati’s 13-1 win over St. Louis, but that seems rather insignificant compared to the rest of his evening. With his 5-for-5, 10 RBI-performance, Gennett became the first player since Josh Hamilton (2012) to hit four home runs in a game. Have yourself a day, Scooter.

Triple Digits

Boston’s Joe Kelly is known for throwing some high heat. But even he turned some heads on Tuesday night when he sent a 103.5-mph fastball past New York’s Aaron Judge. Give that ball a speeding ticket, officer.

So Much Flippin’ Fun

Joon-Seok Choi of the Korean Baseball Organization’s Lotte Giants is 6-foot-2, 287 pounds, and he put all of that size into this home run. Not only did he crush the ball, he did so in style.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is arguably the best Christmas movie of all time. Finally, thanks to low Class A Kane City, a Diamondbacks’ affiliate, Cousin Eddie gets his own bobblehead. It’s long overdue.

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