Same deal, start of July, except this time it’s for up-and-comers. These guys have had their first year chrome refractors sell between 5 and 10 dollars on eBay, which when you factor in the shipping gives you around a 10-15 dollar card. On this list, there are plenty of ballplayers that have a first year chrome and a second year chrome autograph. I still favour the first year chrome but obviously the second year autograph sells quite a bit better. , , , , and all fall into this category. (Read the rest of this entry…)
Bowman Chrome Refractors That’ve Sold For More Than Twenty Dollars Since The Start Of July.
It’s an interest list with only a few surprises: is getting all sorts of love since his Baseball America mid-season re-ranking and continues his ascent.
This is refreshing. A prospect list that doesn’t look past 2010, instead choosing to focus on what the prospects will accomplish in 2010 and 2010 alone.
Jason Grey over at ESPN gives it a go, all the while trying to make it abundantly clear that this is a list for April to October, 2010.
1. , OF, Braves
My Take: Nothing new here. Heyward just keeps impressing and every day it looks more and more like he’ll start the season in the show.
2. , SP, Nationals
My Take: I think he should start in the high-minors — It just seems like the right move. Undoubtedly, the fans will be calling for him when the Nationals start the season 0-and-1.
3. , SS, Brewers
My Take: I’m not a huge Escobar fan, but he could be useful in fantasy. The stolen bases are there, and the kid can slap the ball enough to get on base, but so much of his value will be tied up in where he bats in the Brewers’ lineup.
4. Wade Davis, SP, Rays
My Take: Davis is seemingly a veteran. He’s definitely got the stuff and is worth a late round flier.
5. Brian Matusz, SP, Orioles
My Take: Love this kid, it’s just too bad that he doesn’t have any licensed cards on the market.
6. Scott Sizemore, 2B, Tigers
7. , OF, Rays
My Take: Everything you look for in an outfield prospect. Hopefully he manages to grab a starting gig and hold it for the season, but there’s a tonne of competition in Tampa.
8. , SP, Rangers
My Take: Throws hard. Might be more useful as a reliever than a starter in the fantasy world, but the Rangers need to move him to a SP to get even the slightest return on investment.
9. , C, Indians
My Take: While Montero might be a better long-term prospect; it’s Santana’s year.
10. , OF, Tigers
My Take: From overvalued to undervalued, just like that. Because Yanks fans know his name, his cards are still selling for higher than they should be.
11. Brett Wallace, 3B/1B, Blue Jays
My Take: Wallace needs to find a spot to play. The Blue Jays are so awful this year, it really doesn’t make sense to rush any of their prospects. If he does mash in AAA, he’ll be joining last year’s #6 overall prospect, , for years to come.
12. , 1B, A’s
My Take: Carter can kill the ball, but he needs a smidgen more refining. I think he contributes this year.
13. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pirates
My Take: Never really liked him. I don’t follow him.
14. , 2B, Rockies
My Take: Young Jr. was last year’s AFL Cinderella story and absolutely everyone wanted him to break camp as a big-leaguer. He’s got the speed to make a difference and a good chunk of versatility.
15. , 1B, Marlins
16. Gaby Sanchez, 1B/3B, Marlins
17. Justin Smoak, 1B, Rangers
My Take: Smoak’s going to find a home in Texas, it’s just a matter of what month. ’ statistics are painful to look at, and while Texas can’t just give up on him, there’s no reason to let Smoak waste away.
18. , SP, Rays
19. Josh Bell, 3B, Orioles
20. Alex Avila, C, Tigers
21. Daniel Hudson, SP, White Sox
22. , OF, A’s
My Take: The Perfect Outfielder. Wallace for Taylor was a great swap on both parts and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Taylor up sooner rather than later.
1. , RHP, Majors
DOB: May 1988 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2005 non-drafted international free agent (Atlanta)
MLB ETA: Now 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3
Repertoire: 91-97 mph fastball, curveball, change-up
2. Justin Smoak, 1B, Double-A
DOB: December 1986 Bats: B Throws: L
Signed: 2008 1st round – University of South Carolina
MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
3. , LHP, Double-A
DOB: April 1991 Bats: L Throws: L
Signed: 2007 non-drafted international free agent (Venezuela)
MLB ETA: Mid-2011 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 88-94 mph fastball, plus curveball, change-up
4. , LHP, Double-A
DOB: November 1987 Bats: L Throws: L
Signed: 2006 1st round – Alabama HS
MLB ETA: Late-2010 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 89-94 mph fastball, plus change-up, curveball
5. Robert Ross, LHP, Short-season
DOB: June 1989 Bats: L Throws: L
Signed: 2008 2nd round – Kentucky HS
MLB ETA: Late-2013 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 88-92 mph fastball, slider, change-up
6. , RHP, Low-A
DOB: May 1990 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2006 non-drafted international free agent (Venezuela)
MLB ETA: Mid-2012 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 90-95 mph fastball, curveball, change-up
7. Mitch Moreland, OF, Double-A
DOB: September 1985 Bats: L Throws: L
Signed: 2007 17th round – Mississippi State University
MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
8. Wilfredo Boscan, RHP, Low-A
DOB: October 1989 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2007 non-drafted international free agent (Venezuela)
MLB ETA: Mid-2013 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 87-92 mph fastball, change-up, curveball
9. , RHP, High-A
DOB: December 1988 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2007 1st round – Florida HS
MLB ETA: Mid-2012 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 89-94 mph fastball, curveball, change-up
10. , C, Majors
DOB: October 1984 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2002 non-drafted international free agent (Atlanta)
MLB ETA: Now 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 1
Marc Hulet continues his series on 2010 Top 10 Prospects. I love this series because it omits the 2009 signees, so it offers a bit of a different look.
Hulet covers the 2009 Draft Choices in a parallel article, written on the same date and generally puts the players into context.
1. , C, Majors
DOB: March 1987 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2008 1st round – Florida State University
MLB ETA: Now 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3
2. , LHP, Majors
DOB: August 1989 Bats: R Throws: L
Signed: 2007 1st round – North Carolina HS
MLB ETA: Now 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3
Repertoire: 88-94 mph fastball, slider, change-up
3. Thomas Neal, OF, Double-A
DOB: August 1987 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2005 36th round – Riverside Community College
MLB ETA: Late-2010 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
4. Dan Runzler, LHP, Majors
DOB: March 1985 Bats: L Throws: L
Signed: 2007 9th round – UC Riverside
MLB ETA: Now 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3
Repertoire: 89-93 mph fastball, slider, curveball
5. Roger Kieschnick, OF, High-A
DOB: January 1987 Bats: L Throws: R
Signed: 2008 3rd round – Texas Tech University
MLB ETA: Late-2011 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
6. , SS, Double-A
DOB: January 1987 Bats: L Throws: R
Signed: 2008 4th round – UCLA
MLB ETA: Mid-2011 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
7. , SS, Low-A
DOB: August 1989 Bats: B Throws: R
Signed: 2006 non-drafted international free agent
MLB ETA: Mid-2013 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
8. , LHP, High-A
DOB: December 1987 Bats: L Throws: L
Signed: 2006 3rd round – California HS
MLB ETA: Late-2010 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 86-89 mph fastball, slider, change-up
9. Francisco Peguero, OF, Low-A
DOB: June 1988 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2006 non-drafted international free agent (Dominican Republic)
MLB ETA: Mid-2013 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
10. , RHP, Majors
DOB: December 1986 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2003 non-drafted international free agent (Dominican Republic)
MLB ETA: Now 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 2
Repertoire: 91-95 mph fastball, plus slider, change-up
Welcome,
The Majority of the Prospects with BOWMAN CARDS will include an eBay link to their first year card or first autograph in a Bowman Set.
This has taken far longer than it should've, but we're working on it.
