Cesar Valdez’s changeup makes him the most unusual closer in baseball, the Arkansas Razorbacks are likely to overcome a tricky regional assignment, and it’s the anniversary of Rip Sewell’s first eephus pitch.

Gonzalez fails to do damage in the heart of the zone, two seniors power the Duke Blue Devils to new heights, and on the last day of Mental Health Awareness Month, we acknowledge an oft-ignored side of the game.

The NCAA sends the nation’s two best D3 teams to the same regional, the countdown to MLB’s two-millionth run heats up, and new research suggests that pitchers should try grunting.

Willians studiously avoids the three true outcomes, the Phillies have a very valuable injured list, and the Atlantic League debuts the “double hook” rule, with full-on mound-moving coming soon.

Wrigley’s radar guns are registering a lot of speeds that start with 7, Aaron Judge is swinging but not missing, and Alek Manoah brings his elite CSW% to the big leagues.

Ramirez flies under the radar as one of the best players in the game, Cardinals pitchers need to throw more strikes, and Andrew Kittredge is impervious to the inning number.

Freddy Peralta outgrows his nickname, the Astros are playing like a first-place club, and draft prospect Spencer Schwellenbach owns the ninth inning.

Hernandez is powering the Blue Jays’ hot streak, Jacob deGrom dominates some minor leaguers, and Luis Barrera’s Oakland debut gets MLB within three players of the 20,000 mark.

The Mets have become one of the shiftiest teams in MLB, Gonzaga is firmly atop the NCAA regional hosting bubble, and it’s been 28 years since America said goodbye to Sam Malone.

Mike Trout’s injury raises uncomfortable parallels with 2017, Kevin Gausman has two of the best pitches in baseball, and it’s a swing-and-a-miss for Javier Baez.

Madison Bumgarner’s impressive month-long run is in limbo, Trent Grisham is quietly driving San Diego’s success, and somehow, the Oakland A’s got old.

Jackie Bradley Jr. makes his best catch since 2018, Boston pitchers aim high, and a forgotten Yankees farmhand hits some of the hardest balls in the low minors.

The Cincinnati outfielder is hitting especially well when it matters, Jose Iglesias is a shell of his former slick-fielding self, and 2022 draft prospect Landon Sims is the Aroldis Chapman of Starkville.

The Nationals shortstop is one of the best players in baseball, the Braves suffer another rough night against a lefty, and the next wave of Rays prospects post a huge opening week in Durham.

Buehler is somehow getting it done with weaker stuff, two conferences are dominating the college baseball season, and 18 years ago, Larry David’s trip to Dodger Stadium proved decisive in a murder case.

Garcia earns analytical comparisons with the best in the game, robot umpires are redefining the strike zone in the low minors, and it’s 44 years since Ted Turner took over in the Atlanta dugout.

Muncy takes his pitch-selection skills to a new level, no one’s bothering to shift on Wilmer Difo, and MLB.com’s Jim Callis explains how Jud Fabian has resuscitated his draft prospects.

Jared Walsh has a lot to offer the Angels, the Twins can’t win the close ones, and Michigan’s Steven Hajjar could use some fly ball luck.

John Means goes the distance in style, Anderson’s numbers head in the wrong direction, and minor league starters keep things brief.

Navas misses a whole lot of calls behind the plate, Cincinnati hitters struggle away from home, and draft prospect Henry Davis is doing everything right.

The Yankees closer adds new weapons to his already-deadly repertoire, Ramon Laureano makes the most of his foot speed, and from SoxProspects.com: Tanner Houck heads to Worcester to develop a third pitch.

The Colorado humidor might be doing its job a little too well, the Dodgers cycle through an entire roster worth of players in three days, and the three true outcomes are creeping up in Korea.

Mullins is keeping pace with the best outfielders in baseball, Colorado Mesa is scoring runs regardless of the altitude, and it’s 50 years since a very big reliever started saving ballgames.

Solak’s extra-base hits have a lot in common, Mike Matheny gets creative with the Royals bullpen, and Jacob deGrom tries to augment his own run support.

Kyle Higashioka is forcing the Yankees to make room, the Mendoza line is increasingly normal, and it’s been 16 years since the birth of Fire Joe Morgan.