1. Jose Bautista 2006 Bowman Chrome Autos
Comments: Flash in the pan? No way Jose, says the guy leading the AL in BA (.356), HRs (8) and OPS (.1283). He’s nearly 200 points ahead of #2 in OPS (A-Rod). A certain segment of collectors has went ahead and identified Jose as the real deal and his 2006 Chrome Autos are going crazy. Base Autos moved from $15 last week to nearly $40 shipped this week and parallels are going bonkers.
2. Alexi Amarista 2010 Bowman Chrome Autos
Comments: A^2′s autos sold for dirt when 2010 Bowman Chrome came out, they were truly in the lowest tier of that product. Although Alexi’s physical stats don’t match up with the guys in the NFL draft tonight, he’s raking in the PCL (.455 with a couple HRs and an OPS of 1.156) and that’s good enough for many. His Refractor Autos /500 tripled this week moving from $8 to $25.
3. Christian Ponder 2010 Leaf Metal Autos
Comments: There were quite a few teams that believed they’d have the opportunity to Ponder Christian’s prospects overnight but nay, the Vikings took him with the 13th pick (I guess Joe Webb isn’t the answer). Collectors immediately took notice and several of his Leaf Metal Autos popped at $45 today up from $15 last week.
4. J.R. Murphy 2010 Bowman Chrome Autos
Comments: Here’s a candidate for understatement of the year, “The Yankees have catching prospects.” Jesus Montero, Gary Sanchize, Austin Romine and let us not forget J.R. He’s the first J.R. to make this Hot List, Rider never did. This J.R. is hitting .347 this year and when you are a Yankee, that will get you noticed. His Chrome Autos double from $7 to $15 this week.
5. James Darnell 2010 Bowman Chrome Autos
Comments: Noticing a trend here? I thought so, 2010 Bowman w/Chrome Autos that were once dogs, are now hot. Darnell continues the streak. James is hitting the cover off the ball in San Antonio and he too has seen his autos double from $5 to $11 this week.
6. Kirk Nieuwenhuis 2010 Bowman Chrome Autos
Comments: Although Kirk is a very deserving Hot List candidate, the pain of typing his name is almost enough to keep him off this list. He hit a couple of bombs this week and his autos rose from $4 to $10.
7. Anthony Rizzo 2010 Bowman Chrome Autos
Comments: The 5th 2010 Bowman w/Chrome auto on this list. Forget Myers, Harper, Strasburg, Teheran, Ackley and Castro its all about these guys…ok, so maybe I’m a little out of hand, maybe. Rizzo is tearing up the PCL, his refractor autos moved from $38 to $55 this week.
8. Michael Pineda 2009 Bowman Sterling Black Refractors /25
Comments: Michael’s limited 2009 releases continue to be ridiculously hot. One Black Refractor sold for over $300 this week after most sold previously for under $150.
9. Ryan Braun 2005 Bowman Chrome Autos
Comments: Well, the Brewers are believers. 9 digit contracts never hurt the confidence of collectors either. Braun 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Autos sold for $95 and $100 last week and this week, $140.
10. Eric Hosmer Rookies
Comments: Eric’s in an interesting situation from a card perspective. The only Topps-produced card he has is the Pro Debut. He has Razor autos, USA Autos and AFLAC Promos. That being said, he’s having a great season and people still desire his cards, so even things like his Pro Debuts /50 are now going for $30+
Amarista isn’t just raking in AAA now – he got called up earlier in the week and had 3 RBI’s in his debut
Amarista was not even close to the lowest tier of sellers when Bowman came out. Blue auto’s were $35-40 almost out of the gate, otherwise a week after.
Blues of him were as low as blues of anyone.
Ding Ding Ding. Gilmo Wins. Blues maintained about 20 bucks for a good while.