Analysis of the First Round of the 2013 MLB Draft

Kris BryantBelow 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.

Mark Appel1) 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.

Austin Meadows9) 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.

DJ Peterson12) 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.

 

Reese McGuire14) 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.

nick cuffio21) 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.

Ian Clarkin33) 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.

Yasiel Puig Autographs Coming to Topps Products

Yasiel PuigThe Topps Company has released two press releases about Yasiel Puig and his 2013 cards.  The fever pitch probably has to do with his on field performance causing people to go crazy over these lucky redemption 4 cards from 2013 bowman.  Just when you think the rookie card product market is going to suffer from the lack of a Bryce Harper or a Strasburg rookie, this guy comes along and makes everything better.  Surely 2013 will be the Puig hype train year.

Here are the two press releases from Topps.

DODGER PHENOM IS BOWMAN LUCKY REDEMPTION #4

 

Last night, Los Angeles Dodger Yasiel Puig made his Major League Debut and was stellar.  Not only did he have two hits, but showed his rocket of an arm with a game ending double-play.

 

Bowman is excited to announce that Puig is Lucky Redemption #4.  The autographed card will be featured in the 65th Anniversary Bowman Blue Sapphire Refractor card design.

 

Collectors and fans will be pleased to know that his cards can be found in multiple Bowman releases throughout the 2013 season!  Puig can be found in the 2013 Bowman Scout Top 100 and mini Chrome inserts.  In addition, he will have upcoming autographed cards in Bowman Inception, Bowman Platinum and Bowman Chrome.

 

Be sure to look for Lucky Redemption Card #4 in Packs of 2013 Bowman Baseball.  Get in on the Ground Floor and Uncover Greatness.

Since his debut a few days ago, Topps has been working around the clock to get rookie phenom Yasiel Puig into all of its remaining 2013 baseball products.

And Topps is pleased to announce that he will be signing autographs and appearing as a base card in soon to be released products.

·         The all-new Bowman Inception will feature Puig autographs

·         Tier One, which hits hobby shelves the middle of next month, will include a limited number of redemptions for his autograph.

·         Allen & Ginter will include base cards and a limited number of autograph redemptions.

 

Starting with Bowman Inception, Puig will be signing autographs and appear on base cards & inserts in all 2013 releases.

Baseball Card Guide to the 2013 MLB Draft

With the 2013 MLB Draft occurring on Thursday night, I wanted to provide you with a card guide of possible first round draft picks in this year’s draft. I will go through the top 50 prospects according to Baseball America and tell you where you can find their cards.

(a) means that they have a certified autograph in the set.

1. Jonathan Gray- no cards

Mark Appel2. Mark Appel- 2011 Topps Chrome USA (a) , 2011 Bowman Platinum USA (a), 2011 Topps USA set (a), 2011 Panini Limited USA, 2012 Bowman Sterling USA (a).

3. Kris Bryant- 2009 AFLAC, 2012-2013 Panini USA (a).

4. Clint Frazier- 2012 Perfect Game, 2012 Under Armour

5. Kohl Stewart- 2012 Perfect Game

6. Austin Meadows- 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft USA (a), 2011 Topps USA Set (a), 2012 Perfect Game, 2012 Under Armour

7. Colin Moran- no cards

8. Braden Shipley- no cards

9. Trey Ball- 2012 Perfect Game, 2012 Under Armour

10. Reese McGuire- 2012 Perfect Game, 2012-2013 Panini USA (a)

11. Hunter Renfroe- no cards

12. D.J. Peterson- 2012-2013 Panini USA (a)

13. Ryne Stanek- 2012-2013 Panini USA (a)

14. Dominic Smith- 2012 Perfect Game, 2012 Under Armour

15. J.P. Crawford- 2012 Perfect Game, 2012 Under Armour

16. Eric Jagielo- no cards

17. Ian Clarkin- 2012 Perfect Game, 2012-2013 Panini USA (a)

18. Sean Manaea- no cards

19. Alex Gonzalez- no cards

20. Phil Bickford- no cards

21. Rob Kaminsky- 2012 Perfect Game

22. Nick Ciuffo- 2011 Bowman Draft (a), 2011 Topps USA Set (a), 2011 Panini Limited 2012 Perfect Game, 2012 Under Armour

23. Phillip Ervin- no cards

24. Jonathan Crawford- 2012-2013 Panini USA

25. Jonathan Denney- 2012 Under Armour

26. Tim Anderson- no cards

27. Billy McKinney- 2012 Perfect Game, 2012 Under Armour

28. Marco Gonzalez- 2012-2013 Panini USA

29. Austin Wilson- 2009 AFLAC

30. Aaron Judge- no cards

31. Hunter Green- 2012 Under Armour

32. Alex Balog- no cards

33. Hunter Harvey- 2012 Under Armour

34. Connor Jones- 2012 Under Armour

35. Kyle Serrano- no cards

36. Bobby Wahl- 2012-2013 Panini USA (a)

37. Ryan Eades- no cards

38. Oscar Mercado- 2012 Perfect Game, 2012 Under Armour

39. Hunter Dozier- no cards

40. Cord Sandberg- 2012 Perfect Game

41. Aaron Blair- no cards

42. Matt Krook- no cards

43. Devin Williams- no cards

44. Andrew Thurman- no cards

45. Chris Anderson- no cards

46. Jason Hursh- no cards

47. Tom Windle- no cards

48. Corey Knebel- 2011 Topps Chrome USA (a), 2011 Topps USA set (a), 2011 Bowman Platinum USA (a), 2011 Bowman Sterling USA (a)

49. Trey Masek- no cards

50. Andrew Mitchell- 2011 Topps Chrome USA (a), 2011 Topps USA set (a), 2011 Bowman Platinum USA (a), 2011 Bowman Sterling USA (a)