Sports Card Hotlist for June 19 2013

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Corry Gross

What a great couple of week in sports. The NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup playoffs, the U.S. Open are in progress or have passed and the MLB All-Star game is just weeks away. Summer is approaching and heating everything up, including cards. This list is one that takes a look at the past couple of weeks and what is hot in sports cards.

Anything Yasiel Puig

PuigMania has officially flown in from Cuba to the United States. Puig’s putting a missile crisis on baseballs and launching them out of Dodger Stadium. Puig was called up for the injured Carl Crawford and he is showing why he wants to stay. Puig was hitting .464 with 4 home runs in just 7 games at the end of last week. The Dodgers have been struggling, but they are beginning to come together recently.

Puig’s cards have been selling for crazy prices, from licensed to unlicensed. Licensed insert cards in 2013 Bowman like the Topps 100 insert are selling for over $50 after only hitting $5 last week and the same goes for his Mini Cream of the Crop refractor. Puig was announced as 2013 Bowman Lucky redemption #4 /100 autograph and that has been selling upwards of $900. Even Leaf Metal Draft autographs are selling for $250 and up. It’s safe to say there is hype around this guy.

2007-2008 SP Authentic Tuukka Rask Autographs

The Boston Bruins swept the Pittsburgh Penguins to go to the Stanley Cup Finals. Rask shutout the Penguins twice in the four games and had 26 saves in game four. Many believe that he has been the Bruins’ playoff MVP thus far. He could be up for a big pay raise once the playoffs are up.

Because of his heroics, Rask’s rookie cards and autographs have about tripled. His 2007-2008 Upper Deck SP autograph /999 was selling for just $40 last week and have garnished for as much as $130 recently. His 2007-08 Upper Deck Young Guns rookie card jumped from $13 to $35 shortly after the sweep.

2000 Topps Traded Miguel Cabrera Rookie Cards and Autographs

Can the Triple Crown winner from last year have an even better season this year? It’s quite possible the way Miguel Cabrera has been hitting as of late. He is leading the league in hits, runs and average and he has 18 home runs on the year.

Miguel Cabrera’s rookie cards have been selling for good money. His 2000 Topps Traded rookie card has jumped from $30 to $50 in the past week and his 2000 Topps Traded autograph topped $1,275 when it had sold for $660 at the beginning of May.

Zack Wheeler Rookie Autographs

Another hot shot out of New York, Zack Wheeler has the stuff to become the number two starter alongside Matt Harvey in the Mets’ rotation. He had a solid Major League debut on Tuesday going six innings and striking out seven while getting his first Major League win. As a result, his cards spiked. His 2009 Elite autographs jumped from $25 to $40, and his 2011 Bowman autographs went from $25 to $45. A 2009 Bowman Chrome orange refractor autograph sold for $710.

Domonic Brown Rookie Cards and Autographs

Although he made the list last week, Domonic Brown has been tearing it up even more recently. Who would have thought that the guy that was competing for a starting spot in Spring Training would be leading the National League in home runs with 18?

Because everyone loves the long ball, his rookie cards and autographs have been soaring. 2010 Bowman Sterling autographs have been topping $50 after selling for $20 last week. Any of his rookie cards are selling for over a buck now as well.

Mark Appel 2011 Topps USA Autographs

Mark Appel was thought to be the number 1 pick in last year’s MLB Draft, but because of his bonus demand, he slipped to number 8 and went unsigned. Appel returned to Stanford and continued to pitch like an ace. The Astros did not pass him up this time and drafted him number 1 overall.

Being drafted number 1 always increases prices. Appel’s 2011 Topps USA set autograph sold for $75 shortly after he was announced as the first selection. These were selling between $20-$30 just a week before, but they eventually leveled out to about $40. Appel reminds a lot of people of Mark Prior, but hopefully he has better luck with his health.

Kris Bryant Autographs

Bryant hit 31 home runs for the University of San Diego this year and he was expected to be drafted in the top 3. In a somewhat unexpected move, the Cubs drafted him number 2 after the industry predicted the Rockies to take him at number 3. Because Cubs prospects are usually more hyped than Rockies or Astros prospects, his cards saw a nice uptick. 2009 AFLAC autographs were selling for around $50 the week before the draft and sold for $80 after he was drafted. They were only selling for about $15 at this point last year (from experience). His 2012 and 2013 Panini USA autographs also saw an increase. Most of these sell for $50 now after only averaging $30 last week.

2010 Bowman Chrome Miguel Sano Autographs

Considered a top prospect for awhile now, Sano continues to show his raw power in the Minor Leagues. After hitting .330 with 16 home runs in High-A, he was promoted to Double-A. Not only is he considered a top prospect, he should be in the top five by the end of the year.

After an impressive week and his promotion announcement, Sano’s cards shot up. Base chrome autographs are up to $80 after selling for an average of $60 a couple of weeks ago.

2002 SP Authentic Justin Rose Autographs /2999

Justin Rose made a name for himself by winning the U.S. Open on Sunday and it also caused an increase in the price of his cards. His 2002 Sp Authentic autographs /2999 were up to $31 after selling for $5 last month.

2013 Bowman Chrome Byron Buxton Autographs

Buxton made headlines last week when he made an unbelievable catch and everybody assumed he was the next Ken Griffey Jr. He may not ever be that good, but people took notice to the comp and started picking up his cards. His 2013 Bowman base autographs shot up from around $110 to $130 in the past week whereas his refractor autographs /500 rose from $169 to $225.

2010 Bowman Chrome Jose Iglesias Autographs

Iglesias filled in nicely when Will Middlebrooks was on the Disabled List and is now hitting a whopping .446 in 74 at bats. Iglesias has always had a major league caliber glove, but his bat has always been the question. He only hit .257 in his Minor League career. He may only play a couple of times a week with Middlebrooks back in the Red Sox’s starting lineup.

Because of his hot bat and the fact that he plays for the Red Sox, Iglesias’ cards have about doubled in price. His base autographs sold for around $5-$8 last week and are now up between $15-$20.

The FCB Vintage Files Vol. 10

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Terry Lewis

The FCB Vintage Files took a few week break due to the author’s small knee issue. Being mostly horizontal for a few weeks brought the great six cards of the T-206 Horizontal set to mind. This series touched on these cards lightly before, here is each card and it’s player.

Horizontal cards have been produced since the previous century, but the beautiful lithography and a small subset of one of baseball card’s largest sets to date have set the Horizontal Six apart with T-206 collectors.

Card #1: Harry Pattee of the Brooklyn Superba’s. He lived a long life but very little of it in professional baseball. Playing in a total of 80 games, Mr. Pattee managed 9 RBI’s and 24 steals.

Card #2: George Mullin played for the Tigers for many years and supplemented this with a scant few years in the minor leagues afterwards. A career line of 228-196, the right hander had his best season in 1909 where he went 29-8 in 30 starts.

Card #3: Barney Pelty, or The Yiddish Curver as he was known, pitched many years for the Browns of the American League. One of the first Jewish players in the majors and currently holds the best ERA of all Jewish pitchers in the majors.

Card #4: Joe Birmingham of the Cleveland Naps played parts of 9 seasons mostly to little fanfare. A career .253 hitter, Birmingham was promoted to player-manager for three seasons

Card #5: Jack Powell is unique in his era as he played more many different clubs. A career that started in the 1880′s, Mr. Powell played for the Naps, both clubs in St. Louis and the Highlanders of New York. A 245-254 record over 16 years with a high of 373 IP in one year.

Card #6: Danny Murphy played a 15 year career hitting .289 with over 700 RBI’s and almost 200 stolen bases to go with them. Mr. Murphy played most of his career with the Athletics club of the American league and he joins these five other men. All have undistinguished baseball careers but forever in baseball card lore as being the six depicted in the most recognizable card set…in the most recognizable pose. Horizontal.

Analysis of the First Round of the 2013 MLB Draft

Posted on June 10, 2013 by JP Schwartz

Below are my reactions for each player picked in the first round of this year’s draft, as well as their best cards currently on the market. In the case of a player who has both a Bowman Perfect Game card versus an Under Armour card, I chose the latter, as it’s considered much more scarce and has a better look to it, in my opinion. In the case of a player who is in both the 2012 Panini USA boxed sets and 2013 Panini USA Champions I again chose the latter. The product’s year aside, I think the Champions set look much better overall, especially their Mirror parallels, whereas the boxed set parallels merely have different color ink autographs.

1) Mark Appel, Astros (Best Card – 2011 Topps Chrome USA Autographs). It was either going to be him or Jonathan Gray. In the end, they chose the local guy with more experience and better secondary stuff.

2) Kris Bryant, Cubs (Best Card – 2013 Panini USA Champions Autographs). The first quasi surprise of the draft, his 80 power was enough to entice the Cubbies to pass on the only pitcher in this class with the 80 fastball.

3) Jonathan Gray, Rockies (Best Card – None). He’ll have his work cut out for him, as the stigma of pitchers in the Mile High state will apply to him as well. I think he could be the exception to the rule, though.

4) Kohl Stewart, Twins (Best Card – 2012 Bowman Perfect Game). The best HS arm available, he’ll be offered way too much to pass up.

5) Clint Frazier, Indians (Best Card – 2012 Bowman Under Armour). Absurd Trout comps aside, he’s got legit power and exceptional bat speed.

6) Colin Moran, Marlins (Best Card – None). The best college hitter in the class, he can stick at third as well. Has a terrific sense of plate discipline.

7) Trey Ball, Red Sox (Best Card – 2012 Bowman Under Armour). They’re no stranger to grabbing up two-way players (see Kelly, Casey), and he’s the best one to get. If pitching doesn’t work out, he’s a legit hitter and outfielder.

8) Hunter Dozier, Royals (Best Card – None). The first “Huh?” moment of the draft, he was picked as an overdraft to allow KC to afford Sean Manaea later on. I’ll say this for him – he’s almost certainly destined to be better than Christian Colon.

9) Austin Meadows, Pirates (Best Card – 2011 Bowman Draft USA Autographs). An excellent acquisition for Pittsburgh, he’s got legit 5-tool potential who could very well be playing alongside McCutchen in a few years. Could someone point me to his Superfractor Autograph, already?

10) Phil Bickford, Blue Jays (Best Card – None). Great heat, and an excellent last start (18 K’s), but secondary stuff is raw. Could become another Syndergaard someday, though.

11) Dominic Smith, Mets (Best Card – 2012 Bowman Under Armour). Perhaps the owner of the sweetest swing in the draft, I could see him moving up quickly. Also a great defender at 1B.

12) D.J. Peterson, Mariners (Best Card – 2013 Panini USA Champions Autographs). He’s got very good bat speed, great power and if 3B doesn’t work out, has other options as well.

13) Hunter Renfroe, Padres (Best Card – None). Another one with solid raw power, he has above average speed as well.

14) Reese McGuire, Pirates (Best Card – 2013 Panini USA Champions Autographs). The best overall catcher in this class, Pittsburgh grabbed another hot commodity. Can easily hit for average as well.

15) Braden Shipley, Diamondbacks (Best Card – None). He’s a great athlete, with excellent stuff, especially his changeup. Would love to see him alongside Skaggs, Corbin and Bradley someday.

16)J.P. Crawford, Phillies (Best Card – 2012 Bowman Under Armour). Easily the best SS in this class, he’s got quick motions and a great bat. Be worried, Jimmy Rollins.

17) Tim Anderson, White Sox (Best Card – None). Another solid SS, which the Sox could certainly use. Not as likely to stick at the position, but is a great athlete with superior speed.

18) Chris Anderson, Dodgers (Best Card – None). Has serious helium, and packs a fastball that sits in the mid-90s. Also holds his velocity deep into games. Good changeup as well.

19) Marco Gonzales, Cardinals (Best Card – 2013 Panini USA Champions Autographs). Very polished, with great command and the best changeup in this year’s class. One of two lefties the Cards decided to chase in the first round.

20) Jonathon Crawford, Tigers (Best Card – 2013 Panini USA Champions Autographs). Has a questionable delivery, but holds his fastball deep into games, with a good slider. The Tigers actually got to pick early this year, and got their man.

21) Nick Ciuffo, Rays (Best Card – 2011 Bowman Draft USA Autographs). The Rays could use a solid catcher, what with Bailey and O’Conner languishing in the lower minors, and possesses a great bat as well.

22) Hunter Harvey, Orioles (Best Card – 2012 Bowman Under Armour). A very projectable arm, he’s all but signed already, as he did not commit to a college. He’ll be a real project for the O’s.

23) Alex Gonzalez, Rangers (Best Card – None). Possesses a wipe-out slider and great life on his fastball. Typically the Rangers go after toolsy hitters in the first, so this pick was somewhat of a surprise.

24) Billy McKinney, A’s (Best Card – 2012 Bowman Under Armour). My personal favorite outfielder in this class, he has great bat speed, eye coordination and developing power.

25) Christian Arroyo, Giants (Best Card – 2013 Panini USA Champions Autographs). Every Mock I’d read predicted they’d go after local LHP Matt Krook, but they went off the board and chose someone who may not be a viable SS, with a decent bat.

26) Eric Jagielo, Yankees (Best Card – None). Great pick for the Yanks, as he’s got a very good chance to stick at the hot corner, with above-average power.

27) Phillip Ervin, Reds (Best Card – None). The Reds believe they got a 5-tooler in him, and might not be far off. He’s a solid or better centerfielder, with good power and bat speed.

28) Rob Kaminsky, Cardinals (Best Card – 2012 Bowman Perfect Game). Perhaps the best HS lefty this year, the Cards see him as a safe bet to become a frontline starter.

29) Ryne Stanek, Rays (Best Card – 2013 Panini USA Champions Autographs). He wins my award for “Biggest Shocker”, as virtually no one saw him sliding this far down. BA ranked him #13 on their Top 500. Reaches 98 on the gun, and the Rays can definitely help him smooth out his mechanics – given their track record.

30) Travis Demeritte, Rangers (Best Card – 2012 Bowman Perfect Game). After grabbing a pitcher with their first pick, they went back to their usual ways, grabbing a high risk/high reward guy. He’ll likely move from SS to 3B, and is an above-average athlete.

31)Jason Hursh, Braves (Best Card – None). A recipient of Tommy John surgery, he reportedly topped 100 last summer, with great life. Secondary stuff still needs work, though. He’ll be a good project for the Braves.

32) Aaron Judge, Yankees (Best Card – None). A physical specimen at 6’7”, 255, he says he models his game after Giancarlo Stanton, but he’s a lot more than just power. Can run well, and is a great defender in the field.

33) Ian Clarkin, Yankees (Best Card – 2013 Panini USA Champions Autographs). After two toolsy hitters, the Yanks decided to go after a projectable lefty with three average pitches that could become plus in the future.