Exit velocity of 110 mph

A couple of days ago, I read a media release. In the release, it mentioned a power hitter who hit a ball with an exit velocity over 110 mph. Without a doubt, he hit it really hard. After reading the media release, I began to think about a question.

More splitters?

I just watched some video clips on X. An interesting one is that in a video, it clearly shows that Clayton Kershaw was throwing a split-finger. And he struck out the batter he faced.

First mega box

The 2025 Topps Series 2 was released in mid-June. This time, I didn’t buy this product immediately once it was released. A couple of months later, I ordered a mega box of the 2025 Topps Series 2 on Amazon. Previously, I used to buy hobby packs, jumbo packs and blaster boxes of this series. But not a mega box. It’s actually the first time that I ordered a mega box of this product.

Second-half guy?

Just a couple days ago, I read an article, which indicated a player had heated up in the second half of the season. The writer mentioned several key stats. Well, actually, it’s not the first time that I read an article or a report about that player’s performance after the All-Star break.

Sinkers against the left-handed hitters?

I watched some tweets on X. A pitcher indicated that he uses sinkers against lefties for some reason. And I watched some clips and it clearly shows that his sinker is a good weapon. He has thrown many strikeouts against left-handed hitters by using his sinker.

2024 Topps Heritage High Number

The 2024 Topps Heritage High Number was released in late March 2025. Soon after this product was released, I went to a sports card shop. However, the owner told me that there weren’t any products from this series available.

Dominant after the All-Star break?

We just reviewed some hitters who have hit very well after the All-Star break a couple days ago. At the same time, several pitchers have been dominant after the All-Star break and let’s see how excellent they have been.

Hottest hitters after the All-Star break?

September is coming. Hence, we are soon entering the final month of the 2025 regular season. Some players were off to a great start. Some players heated up a little bit. In the second half of the 2025 season, there are several hitters who have done a good job. Let’s take a look at those players who have hit well after the All-Star break.

Ready for September?

We are entering the end of August. Thus, the final month of the regular season is coming. Several teams are fighting hard for a spot in the postseason. Taking a look at the last few seasons, we might have a clue to see which teams actually had played well in September.

Solid on the mound after being traded?

Just a few days ago, we reviewed some hitters’ performances after being traded. Now, let’s shift our focus to the mound. Before the trade deadline, several pitchers were traded. And how have they pitched in a uniform?

After the trade deadline

It’s been almost a month since the 2025 trade deadline. Before the trade deadline, several teams decided to acquire hitters to enhance the lineup depth. Do those trades make an instant impact?

Sinkers?

In early August, I listened to a podcast show. A pitcher was interviewed by a long-time reporter. The pitcher was quite honest. He indicated that he threw a lot of sinkers while he was playing for the Pirates. After being traded, his sinker usage dropped significantly.

Through the years

It was a couple of weeks ago, I was in Japan and passed by a sports card shop. I found some 2025 Topps Heritage hobby packs available. Well, I only bought a blaster box of the 2025 Topps Heritage previously. When I saw some hobby packs of the 2025 Topps Heritage, I was just thinking it would be fun to buy some.

2025 Topps Chrome

The 2025 Topps Chrome was released in late July. This set is always a popular one that attracts many collectors. Each year, I bought some hobby packs or jumbo packs of this product. A few weeks ago, I was in Japan and I found that there was a sports card shop near the hotel where I stayed.

WS Champs and bullpen

The 2025 deadline was just a couple of weeks ago. Before the trade deadline, several teams decided to acquire relievers to enhance their bullpens. Moreover, I listened to a podcast show a few days ago. In the podcast, an analyst indicated the importance of the bullpen in the postseason.

Good to make a deal?

Before the 2025 trade deadline, the Cleveland Guardians decided to trade former Cy Young award winner Shane Bieber to the Blue Jays and acquired Khal Stephen from the Blue Jays. Sending an ace to another team isn’t easy. When I look at this trade, I’m just thinking about a question.

Good to sign RPs?

It was a few weeks ago, I was watching a baseball game. In the late innings, a reliever gave up a home run and the game was tied. Suddenly, in a chat group, a friend indicated that the team shouldn’t sign him for a long-term deal.

WB WS

In late July, the Dodgers visited Fenway Park. This time, it’s a special moment for Walker Buehler because he got the ring of the 2024 World Series Champion. He recorded the final out of the 2024 World Series.

3000Kershaw

On July 2, 2025, in the top of the 6th inning, Clayton Kershaw threw a slider, which was his 100th pitch in the game. The batter didn’t swing, but Kershaw located it well. It was a strike. Kershaw struck out the batter to end the inning and it’s the 3000th strikeout in his great career.

Slow “SO”

All right, we have seen strikeout leaders via different pitches from 2008 to 2024. However, I’m just thinking about another thing. How about something different?

Hot in July?

July just came to an end. Last month, several teams played very well. With great performance in July, some teams now have become postseason contenders.

Cool changeups?

So, we have reviewed pitchers who threw a lot of strikeouts via four-seamers, curveballs and sliders from 2008 to 2024. Now, our focus will move on to another pitch.

What a curve?

We just reviewed several pitchers who threw 1000+ strikeouts with their sliders. Now, let’s shift our focus on another pitch.

​​Devastating sliders?

Just a couple of days ago, we reviewed some pitchers who used their four-seamers to generate a lot of strikeouts. Certainly, their four-seamers are nightmares of many MLB hitters. This time, let’s take a look at another pitch type.

​​Strikeouts via four-seamer

In early July, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, an analyst indicated a pitcher’s pitch and he has used it to strike out many batters. And the analyst emphasized that pitcher’s great pitch.

The ROY? ii

Around 2 weeks ago, we took a look at some rookie hitters’ performances. Some rookie hitters certainly have drawn a lot of attention. Now, let’s shift our focus on the mound.

It still works?

A few weeks ago, I was watching a baseball game. The starting pitcher did a good job on the mound. However, his fastball isn’t really fast. Most of the time, his four-seamers didn’t touch 90 mph in a game.

How many innings will he throw?

Shohei Ohtani, without a doubt, is a superstar in baseball. Fans around the world all watch his performance. After undergoing his second major elbow surgery in 2023 and going through the rehab process, Ohtani returned to the mound in mid-June.

MoOKie?

After playing 88 games in the first half of the 2025 season, Mookie Betts, who’s an 8-time All-Star and the 2018 AL MVP award winner, now hits .246/.316/.386 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI. In the 2025 season, Mookie Betts’ OPS is below .800 thus far.

What is that?

Last month, I watched a game on TV. A starting pitcher threw a pitch that was just 40+ mph. That pitch looked so weird and surprised many people. What is that?

Good rotation?

Well, pitcher usage has been quite different in today’s baseball games. However, no one can ignore the importance of the rotation.

The ROY?

The first half of the 2025 season is almost over. Several rookie players have been off to a good start this season. And it’s certainly worthwhile to see how good they have done.

Fireworks?

It's the 4th of July. Happy Independence Day! I believe that lots of people are going to watch fireworks today. In baseball, many teams set fireworks after a player from the home team crushes a home run.

Unstoppable in June?

June just came to an end. Hence, very soon, the All-Star break will come. In June, several players had played very well and it’s highly possible that some of them will become All-Stars.

Stars of June?

I watched a game on TV. A pitcher was ready to throw the first pitch of the game. The play-by-play guy mentioned a thing which is quite interesting.

2025 Bowman

In the first week of May, the 2025 Bowman was released. It’s always an interesting set that focuses on prospects. You can find some future stars or super stars in this set. But you know, sometimes things don’t go as expected.

Thank you CT3

Is that Chris Taylor? A friend sent me a message during the 2017 World Series. My friend is a big fan of the Seattle Mariners and he heard of him when Taylor was playing for the Mariners. However, while playing for the Mariners, Taylor’s performance wasn’t so impressive. Nonetheless, things have become different since he was traded to the Dodgers in 2016.

First pitch, take?

An all-star hitter was at the batter’s box. And a pitcher threw the first pitch. That hitter didn’t move. It was a strike. Well, that hitter didn’t intend to hit.

Paul Blair

I opened a lucky bag a few weeks ago. In the lucky bag, I found an interesting card. It’s a Paul Blair autograph card and it’s from the 2001 Fleer.

First inning, tough?

It was a few weeks ago, I watched a game on TV. In the game, a pitcher gave up a home run in the first inning. It seemed that he didn’t pitch well in the first inning.

Evan Longoria, what a career

On June 7, Evan Longoria officially retired as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. Longoria was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the first round of the 2006 draft. He made his MLB debut in 2008 and spent 16 seasons in the majors. In his career, Longoria played 1986 games, slashing .264/.333/.471 with 342 home runs and 1159 RBI.

Love to visit Chase Field?

I watched an interview on X. A batter just had done a great job at Chase Field with 4 hits in a game. In the interview, he was asked if he knew that his career stats are pretty good when he visits Chase Field.

Fewer fastballs?

A few days ago, I watched a clip on Netflix. A pitching coach indicated about fastball usage to his pitchers. He talked about using fewer fastballs.

BB/K>1

I listened to a podcast show a couple days ago. In the show, an analyst mentioned a player’s performance in the 2025 season, emphasizing that the player has drawn more walks than strikeouts.

2025 Topps Heritage

The 2025 Topps Heritage was released in late April. This year, it takes us back to 1976. For me, this series is an interesting brand to collect. However, it’s not so easy to get a hit. There’s only a hit in a hobby box.

The face of the Guardians

One month ago, Jose Ramirez reached a key career milestone. He became the first player in Cleveland Guardians history with at least 250 stolen bases and 250 home runs. Since making it into the big leagues in 2013, Jose Ramirez has become an essential player for the team.

Dominant in May?

May just came to an end. In the second month of the 2025 season, several pitchers had done a fantastic job on the mound. And let’s see how good they were last month.

​​Second mega box of 2024 Topps Holiday

Last year, I opened a mega box of the 2024 Topps Holiday. It was fun and I like what I got because I got some rookie cards that I was looking for. A few days ago, I went to a sports card shop after a meeting. I said hello to the owner and took a look at the shelves to see if there was something new.

Seize RBI opportunities?

A few days ago, I watched a baseball game on TV. When a batter was at bat, it clearly showed that his performance was great with runners in scoring position. And the next batter was hitting, it also showed that he has done a great job with runners in scoring position.

Cubs and Mets trade

Several weeks ago, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, a host asked several questions to Jed Hoyer, who’s the president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs.