Your Daily Value #33

Posted by Jeremy on January 15, 2009 under Your Daily Value | Be the First to Comment

2008 Donruss Elite Extra LORENZO CAIN Auto #/817

Current eBay Price—$4.00-6.00

The skills are starting to catch up with the tools for this guy.  Cain had his best season as a pro in ‘08 at three different levels, hitting .276 with 11 HR 60 RBI 25 SB 31 doubles and 71 runs scored.  Even more impressive was the fact that he continued to sting the ball in the Arizona Fall League belting 5 HR and stealing 4 bases in just 18 games.  The Brewers have seen a breakout with this guy coming for some time and many officials within the organization liken him to current Brewers RF Corey Hart. 

After his performance in the AFL, it seems reasonable that Cain will get an opportunity to start the season at AAA Nashville.  It will be important to monitor his performance there.  Despite his athletic abilities and projectibility, Cain still strikes out at an unacceptible rate (51 BB/115 K in 126 games).  Early struggles in the PCL may find him back down at AA Huntsville at some point.  If he continues to succeed, though, Cain could either take Mike Cameron’s place in CF after this coming season or replace Hart in RF should the club not offer him a long term contract. 

Cain has 1st year cards in the 2006 Bowman Chrome Prospects set that sell for $1.00-1.50 each, but this is his first non-minor league autographed card.  His power output in the AFL gives me optimism that he can, indeed be a 20 HR/20 SB guy with the Brew Crew which should only enhance the value of this card in the future.