Braves/White Sox Trade Analysis

Posted by Jeremy on December 3, 2008 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

The Chicago White Sox sent 12 game winner Javier Vazquez and LHP Boone Logan to the Atlanta Braves for SS/OF Brent Lillibridge, C Tyler Flowers , 3B Jon Gilmore, and LHP Santos Rodriguez.  Here’s a closer look at the parties involved.

Vazquez gives the Braves a consistent 200 inning pitcher who will win 10-14 games with an era between 4.25-4.75.  He strikes a bunch of guys out and doesn’t walk too many hitters.  The Braves are making a concerted push to catch up to the Phillies and Mets in their division.  The Braves decided to make this move once the Peavy talks disintegrated.  Vazquez has rookie cards in the 2007 Bowman Chrome set, but don’t expect to see much market change for them.  His career at this point is pretty well estabished and headed for the home stretch.

Boone Logan

While Logan is an apparent toss-in for the Braves, they are excited about the hard throwing 24 year old southpaw.  He should provide some nice lefty depth to the bullpen.  While this may please the Braves, don’t expect to see any market movement out of his cards.

Tyler Flowers

For the past couple of weeks, I have been trying to think of just what role the Braves had in mind for Flowers.  With McCann firmly entrenched behind the plate and Freddie Freeman as the heir apparent at 1B, Flowers seemed to be just too good to pass on.  The Braves sold his stock high and now Flowers’ future as a catcher seems to be much brighter.  A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko both become free agents after the 2010 season giving Flowers a nice cushion of time to develop his skills behind the plate or at 1B.  Flowers has a special bat that is just breaking out and his power potential plays well at any position on the diamond.  Look for his 2008 Donruss Threads autos to continue to be hot commodities on the eBay market.

Brent LIllibridge

 Lillibridge seems to be, like Flowers, a player that could benefit from a change in scenery.  After a sterling 2005 season, Lillibridge has struggled mightily to replicate the success he enjoyed with the Pirates organization.  Lillibridge can play both SS and 2B as well as the OF.  Lillibridge has great speed on the basepaths and gap power that produces many line drives to the alleys.  Lillibridge needs to be more selective at the plate and put less pressure on himself to perform.  The Sox are pretty set at SS with studs like Alexei Ramirez and future superstar Gordon Beckham, but the competition at 2B (Chris Getz, Wilson Betemit) is far less formidable.  Look for LIllibridge to get an ample opportunity to get back on track as the everyday 2B or a speedy 4th OF.  Either way, the more playing time that Lillibridge earns, the better off the values of his 2005 first year cards will be.

I recently wrote about Gilmore in one of my Daily Value posts.  Gilmore has tons of projectible upside but is still at least two or three years away from being ready.  Gilmore struggled at full-season Rome before being very successful after a demotion to short-season Danville.  Gilmore immediately becomes the top young 3B prospect in the White Sox.

Santos Rodriguez

Rodriguez is a 20 year old 6-5 180 lb. LHP who pitched exclusively in relief last season going 1-2 with a 2.79 ERA and 5 saves in 14 games.  Rodriguez pitched just 29 innings but struck out 45 while walking 13.  Rodriguez is very projectible and is one to watch as a possible late inning reliever down the line.

My spin on this deal is that the White Sox got a treasure trove of talent in this deal for a mid-rotation starter.  Vazquez will pitch well in the NL, but come 5 years from now, the White Sox will be very pleased that they made this trade.

Let me know what you think of this deal?  Which team came out ahead?  How will the market respond to these moves?

10/22 AFL Report

Posted by Jeremy on October 23, 2008 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Today’s offensive performer is one of the more unsung Peoria Javelinas, Cincinnati Reds OF prospect Sean Henry.  Henry went 4-6 with a HR and 5 RBI.

Player of the Day: SEAN HENRY

Underrated Reds Farmhand

 Peoria Javelinas  16

• Sean Henry—4-6 HR(1) 5 RBI 2R
• Carlos Triunfel—3-6 2R RBI SB(1)
• Rhyne Hughes—3-6 2 RBI R
• Desmond Jennings—3-5 HR(1) 3 RBI 3R 2B
• Drew Stubbs—3-6 2R 2 2B RBI SB(2)
• Chris Turner—4-6 3R 2B 2 RBI
• Lou Palmisano—1-4 2B R 2 RBI 2 BB

 Phoenix Desert Dogs  5

• Adrian Cardenas—1-2 2 RBI BB
• Robert Ryal—1-5 3B R 2 RBI
• Scott Campbell—1-3 R BB
• Eric Young Jr.—1-3 R BB

 Mesa Solar Sox  11

• Jason Donald—4-6 2B R
• Logan Morrison—5-5 2R RBI
• Scott Cousins—1-4 2R 2B 4 RBI BB SB(2)
• Quentin Berry—3-5 2R RBI SB(3)
• Luis Marte—4 IP 4H ER 8K (W)

 Scottsdale Scorpions  3

• Mark Wagner—2-4 2B
• Ben Copeland—1-4 3B RBI
• Drew Sutton—1-3 2B BB
• Ryan Rohlinger—1-3 HR(1) RBI

 Peoria Saguaros  8

• Ty Greene—2-4 HR(2) 3 RBI
• Leonard Davis—2-4 2R HR(1) RBI
• Cole Armstrong—2-4 R
• Kyle Blanks—2-4 RBI
• Gordon Beckham—1-4 R 2B
• Mike Baxter—1-2 2R HR(1) 3 RBI 2BB
• Bobby Parnell—4 IP H 5K (W)

 Surprise Rafters  1

• Justin Smoak—2-4 2B R
• Joshua Rodriguez—1-4 2B
• Jamie Hoffmann—1-3 BB
• Dan Cortes—4 IP 5H 2 ER BB K (L)

10/21 AFL Report

Posted by Jeremy on October 22, 2008 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Once again offense abounds in the AFL.  Wheile there were lots of hits to go around, two dingers from Braves catching/3B prospect Tyler Flowers stands out as the performance of the night.  Look for this guy’s 1st year cards soon and check out my report on him in the Mesa Solar Sox preview on the Cardboard Connection website. 

Player of the Day: TYLER FLOWERS

2 HR gives a rosy look to Flowers' future

 Phoenix Desert Dogs  10

• J.P. Arencibia—2-5 HR(2) 3 RBI
• Steven Tolleson—3-5 2 RBI R
• Evan Frey—2-4 2R BB
• Eric Young Jr.—2-4 2B R RBI SB(7)
• Mike McKenry—1-3 HR(1) RBI
• Sean Doolittle—2-5 RBI

 Scottsdale Scorpions  6

• Drew Sutton—2-3 2B 2R RBI BB (hitting .600)
• Brian Bogusevic—2-3 R 2 RBI (hitting .625)
• Emmannuel Burriss—2-5 2 RBI R
• Derek Hankins—1.1 IP H 3K

 Mesa Solar Sox  8

• Ty Flowers—4-5 2 HR(3) 2 RBI 3R
• Will Rhymes—2-4 R BB
• Matt Young—1-5 2B 3 RBI
• Darwin Barney—1-1 2B 2 RBI
• Sean West—5 IP 3H ER BB 3K (W)

 Surprise Rafters  3

• Nolan Reimold—1-4 HR(2) RBI (Back to Back HR games)
• Beau Mills—1-4 HR(1) RBI
• Brandon Snyder—1-3 R BB
• Andrew Lambo—1-3 RBI BB
• Justin Orenduff—4 IP 2H BB 5K (L)

 Peoria Javelinas  18

• Rhyne Hughes—3-6 HR(1) 4 RBI 3B 2R
• Austin Jackson—3-6 2 RBI R
• Lorenzo Cain—2-6 HR(1) 2 RBI
• Justin Turner—4-4 4R 2B 3 RBI BB
• Drew Stubbs—1-4 2B 3R RBI BB
• Matt Spring—2-3 HR(1) 2 RBI 3R BB

 Peoria Saguaros  11

• Bill Rhinehart—1-4 HR(1) 4 RBI 2BB
• Sean Kazmar—4-5 2R 2B 2 RBI
• Daniel Murphy—3-5 2B 2R 2 RBI
• Leonard Davis—2-3 RBI
• Chris Thole—2-4 R BB
• Aaron Poreda—IP 2K (8K/5IP 0 runs)

10/16 AFL Report

Posted by Jeremy on October 17, 2008 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

Wow, what a comeback by the Red Sox last night!  Tonight’s AFL player of the day is a Boston prospect that we all thought would be a part of this pennant run—Clay Buchholz.

Player of the Day: CLAY BUCHHOLZ

Allowed just 1 Hit in 8 IP this fall (.045 BAA)

 Scottsdale Scorpions  13

• Shelby Ford—3-5 HR(1) 3 RBI
• Emmannuel Burriss—4-6 3R 2 SB(6)
• Chris Petit—3-4 HR(1) 2 RBI 2R BB
• Chris Johnson—2-5 2B 3 RBI
• Mark Trumbo—2-5 2R 2 RBI
• Kevin Frandsen—2-5 2R
• Clay Buchholz—5 IP H BB 4K (W)

 Surprise Rafters  1

• Joe Dickerson 2-3 3B R
• Wes Hodges—1-4
• Rowdy Hardy—2 IP 3H 2K

 Peoria Saguaros  9

• Taylor Green—1-4 HR(1) 2 RBI 2R BB
• Juan Miranda—2-4 2B R
• Greg Halman—2-4 2B 3B 2R RBI SB(2)
• Rhyne Hughes—2-4 2 RBI 2B R
• Drew Stubbs—1-5 2R SB(1)

 Mesa Solar Sox  8

• Tyler Flowers—2-4 HR(1) 2 RBI 3R BB
• Jason Donald—3-5 3R 2B SB(1)
• Jeremy Slayden—3-5 3 RBI 2B R
• Eric Young Jr.—3-5 RBI
• Van Pope—2-3 RBI BB
• Casper Wells—2-5

 Peoria Saguaros

• Shawn Bowman—2-5 R
• Stefan Gartrell—2-4 2R RBI BB SB(1)
• Sean Kazmar—1-3 2R BB SB(1)
• Ian Desmond—2-3 R RBI BB
• Kyle Blanks—1-4 2B 2 RBI BB
• Brett Wallace—1-4 2B R BB
• Mike Eckstrom—2 IP 5K

 Phoenix Desert Dogs

• Mike McKenry—2-4 2B 2 RBI
• Adrian Cardenas—1-3 2B
• Evan Frey—1-3 BB SB(1)
• Andrew Bailey—2 IP 4H 4K

9/27 Hawaiian Winter League Report

Posted by Jeremy on September 30, 2008 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

The HWL features 4 teams that play a 40 game schedule from the end of September until the middle of November.  While the Arizona Fall League features top MLB ready prospects, the HWL showcases some of the best of MiLB’s younger talent as well as some of Japan’s new young prospects.  Here are some notable performances from the league’s opening day action…

  Honolulu Sharks  8 

• Ruben Tejada—2-4 3 RBI R BB 3B
• Michael Taylor—1-3 2R 2BB
• Eric Eiland—2-4 2 RBI R
• Mike Mitchell—1-5 R 2 SB(2)

  Waikiki Beach Boys  4 

• Marquez Smith—1-3 2 RBI
• Yuji Onizaki—2-4 2R RBI 3B     
• Buster Posey—0-3 2K BB 2 PB 3 SB allowed
• Andrew Brackman—2.1 IP 7H 6ER 2BB 3K (L)

West Oahu Cane Fires 12          

• Miles Durham—3-5 HR(1) 5 RBI 3B
• Logan Schafer—1-4 2R
• Tyler Henson—1-2 4R 3BB 3B
• Gregory Burns—1-5 3B 2RBI R
• Caleb Gindl—1-5 3B R
• Andrew Hess—2 IP H 5K

  North Shore Honu  4

• Jason Castro—2-3 R
• Kenji Satoh—2-5 2R
• Cyle Hankerd—1-5 RBI R
• James Skelton—1-3 RBI                   

September 11—7 Years Later

Posted by Jeremy on September 11, 2008 under Market Watch | Be the First to Comment

God Bless America

We’ve lived seven years since the horrors of September 11, 2001.  Today it remains the darkest moment of our country’s recent history and the loss is still profoundly felt to this day. 

I pray that we will all take a moment within our busy day to remember the lives of those who were lost, whether it be in the disasters or the rescue efforts that followed.  Also, I would like to thank the brave members of our armed forces who have risked or given their lives to ensure the safety, freedom, and prosperity that our great nation and its people enjoy today. 

Your efforts are not taken for granted and your courage is an exemplary testimony of  the greatness of the United States of America.  Thank you and may God continue to bless you and your loved ones.

$100 Well Spent #3

Posted by Jeremy on September 9, 2008 under $100 Well Spent | 2 Comments to Read

Last time I focused on upcoming potential September callups, this time I will dedicate my hypothetical C-note to impact RC’s during the pennant stretch.  Every year, certain RC’s pop up out of the wood work to become brief denizens on collector hot lists.  I recall 1986 when an ordinary Mets 3B, Ray Knight, whose greatest previous conquest was being the spouse of LPGA legend Nancy Lopez, became the toast of the Big Apple and a brief hobby sensation with an MVP performance against the Buckner-cursed Boston Red Sox. 

As of today, 11 teams (5 A.L. & 6 N.L.) are in the thick of the playoff race.  I began writing this article with the intent of giving a player to watch from each contending team.  However, that task has proven to be daunting and waters down the quality of depth that each of these teams posesses.  So, I have decided that this post will be focused on the 5 A.L. teams and the next post will highlight the 6 N.L. teams.  Each post will be allocated $100 (not $50 and $50). 

Ok, this will be hard, but I will am up for the task.  As always, your thoughts and prospective lists are welcome.  I will be using average Ebay prices from the past two weeks as my point of reference.  Here we go…

Tampa Bay Rays—87-57 1st place A.L. East

Rocco Baldelli 2000 Bowman Chrome DP (x5)—$7.50

• The revival of Rocco has been the one of the great chapters within the success story that is the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays.  Baldelli, who was once compared to Joltin’ Joe Dimaggio, had his career seemingly cut short when he fell prey to a chronic fatigue disorder which robbed his body of the necessary energy to participate in strenuous physical activity.  Somehow, Baldelli has found a way to make it back to the Rays’ lineup as a DH and RF.  Baldelli cannot yet handle a full time workload, but his story is as compelling as that of the Rays this season and that is sure to get more national publicity the further the Rays progress in the playoffs.

Carlos Pena 1999 Bowman Chrome (x5)—$7.50

• How far the mighty have fallen.  Last season’s breakout player has not delivered the goods this season hitting just .245 with 27 HR and 85 RBI.  While this is a far cry from last year’s 46 HR 121 RBI performance, it bears worth noticing that Pena was suffering from nagging injuries that kept him out of most of June.  Since his return, Pena has averaged a HR every 10 AB’s and is walking quite a bit more.  He has carried this lineup since Evan Longoria’s hand injury and will play a crucial role within this lineup down the home stretch.  Collectors have become disenchanted with his cards, don’t make the same mistake.  the ‘99 Bowman Chrome series 2 set features the nicest of his low end RC’s and are readily available in quantities.

Boston Red Sox—85-58 2nd Place A.L East, 1st Place W.C.

 Jon Lester 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft (x10)—$12.50

• It is really hard to find an under-hyped Red Sox prospect or player.  Lester is not underhyped, and this card is not Lester’s first (2002 Prospect Premieres) nor is it his best.  However, it is one that can be bought for cheap and is available in bulk quantities.  Lester has #1 starter stuff and knows how to win.  His no-hitter this season and return from cancer are compelling stories that will get more play, the more the Sox play.  Lester has an opportunity to move into the #2 spot in the rotation between Beckett and Dice-K if the Sox decide to employ a righty, lefty, righty look to their rotation.  That is a distinct possibility that will allow Lester to pitch more post-season innings, increasing the chances for him to do something special in the national spotlight.

Jed Lowrie 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft (x2)—$7.50

• Lowrie has all but taken the starting SS job away from Julio Lugo and has proven resilient in his first 200 AB’s.  While Lowrie does not have much power, he is particularly adept at driving in runs, especially in crucial situations.  Ammortized over a 600 AB season, Lowrie would have a Tommy Herr-like 6 HR and 120 RBI.  Clutch hitting during the ‘08 playoffs could vault Lowrie into the hearts of Red Sox Nation alongside other young stars like Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Chicago White Sox— 80-62 1st Place A.L. Central

 Gavin Floyd 2002 Bowman Chrome Auto—$12.00

• The White Sox have been a team that has been bouyed primarily on power hitting offense to keep them atop the heap in the A.L. Central.  Now with MLB HR leader Carlos Quentin on the shelf for the remainder of the year, it is the pitching that must step forward to keep them there.  Gavin Floyd has been a long term package of unfulfilled promise since his days as a number one draft pick with the Philadelphia Phillies.  This year, Floyd has gone a long way to making himself into a number one pitcher for a playoff contender.  Floyd has a 15-6 record, including wins in his last 5 decisions.  The White Sox still have enough offense to match up against any pitching rotation, but their own rotation will be the key in determining if and how far the South Side Boys will go in October.

Paul Konerko 1994 Topps Traded (X10)—$12.50

• Konerko has had a disasterous ‘08 (he killed my fantasy team).  However, since the acquisition of Ken Griffey Jr. and a temporary decrease in AB’s, Paulie has turned things around big time.  He’s batting .367 since the beginning of August with 7 HR (including one in each of the last three games) 15 RBI and 20 BB vs. just 14 K’s.  With Quentin on the shelf, Konerko’s power needs to be present in the middle of the lineup.  So far, he seems up to the task.

Minnesota Twins—78-65 2nd place A.L. Central, 2nd place W.C.

Francisco Liriano 2002 Bowman (X10)—$12.50

• Perhaps the antithesis to the Chicago White Sox, the Minnesota Twins’ formula for success has been its starting pitching.  Headlining that group is the dominant left arm of ace Francisco Liriano.  Liriano has been perfect since his return from minor league exile winning his last 5 decisions and lowering his ERA an even 8 runs per 9 IP during that stretch.  Liriano is unquestionably the ace of this rotation and has the Twins surging since his return.  The Twins took their sweet time in getting Liriano back into their rotation, let’s hope for their sake that it wasn’t too long.

Kevin Slowey 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft (X10)—$12.50

• The yin to Liriano’s yang, Slowey offers control and deception from the right hand side of the mound.  Slowey struggled in the early going this year, but has really turned it on going 4-1 in the month of August with 37 K’s and only 2 walks in 37 IP.  Slowey doesn’t have the flash or velocity that most frontline pitchers possess, but he has evolved into a winner who gives quality starts each and every time out.  He will surely be the number two pitcher in the Twins rotation if they play in October.

L.A. Angels—87-56 1st Place A.L. West (Best A.L. record)

 Ervin Santana 2004 Bowman’s Best Auto—$12.00

• 2008 marks the coming out party for Santana and the end of years of frustration for the L.A. Angels organization.  Santana has shown glimpses of dominance in the past, but this season he has put it all together to be the ace of the Angels’ staff going 15-5 with a 3.32 ERA and 191 K’s vs. only 44 BB.  Santana’s opponents are only hitting .233 off of him, but he has allowed 19 dingers, which may haunt him come playoff time.  The Angels are going far this year, perhaps all the way to the World Series parade.  Don’t be surprised to see Ervin Santana supplant John Lackey as the Angels most used pitcher come playoff time. 

Brandon Wood 2003 UD Prospect Premieres (x2)—$4.50

• Ugh, I wish I had more money to spend! Brandon Wood is not ready yet, but he is not far from ready to be superstar in this league.  Plate discipline has been his bane, but he is showing signs of figuring things out.  I think that he will be included on the Angels’ post season roster as a bench bat that can provide game changing power late in a game.  We shall see.  regardless, he is on the cusp of being the regular 3B that the Angels have been searching for since the days of Dallas McPherson.

Wow, that was difficult and should provide fodder for great conversation.  Let’s see how it all plays out!

Recent MLB Call-Up #10—Aaron Cunnigham

Posted by Jeremy on September 5, 2008 under Market Watch | Be the First to Comment

September 1st has come and gone and a slew of players have been called up (some debutantes, some retreads) from AAA and AA to fill in the expanded 40-man rosters for their major league teams.  Over my next 10 posts, I will highlight some notable prospects who have made their major league debuts as late August-early September call-ups.

Haren trade worked for both sides

 

10.) Aaron Cunningham–Oakland A’s OF

• Cunningham was outstanding after his promotion to AAA Sacramento in early August where he hit .382 with 5 HR 19 RBI and 21 runs scored in just 20 games.  Replacing top prospect and fellow former Diamondback Carlos Gonzalez, Cunningham has 3 hits in 10 AB’s in limited CF action with the A’s.  Cunnigham’s game is reminiscent of a former Oakland outfielder Eric Byrnes.  Cunningham plays the game all out, has surprising power for a player his size.  His above average speed allows for him to be successful on the basepaths and in covering the spacious outfield gaps in McAfee Collesium.  The A’s are in full blown rebuild mode (again) and Cunningham will be given every opportunity to prove himself as an everyday MLB outfielder.

9/1 AA Minor League Report

Posted by Jeremy on September 3, 2008 under Minor League Ball today | Be the First to Comment

Jeremy Slayden

• 2-4 2 2B R—.298 17 HR 81 RBI 33 2B

Shelby Ford

• 3-4 2B 2 RBI Sb(19)—.285 4 HR 32 RBI 19 SB

J.P. Arencibia

• 2-4 2B 2 RBI—.298 27 HR 105 RBI 36 2B

Nolan Reimold

• 1-3 HR(25) 2 RBI 2 BB—.284 25 HR 84 RBI 87 R 63 BB

Matt Wieters

• 2-5 2B RBI—.355 27 HR 91 RBI 82 BB 1.035 OPS

Marvin Lowrance

• 1-4 HR(20) 3 RBI BB—.275 20 HR 63 RBI 30 2B

Andrew Lambo

• 2-5—.295 18 HR 91 RBI 35 2B

Chris Coghlan

• 2-4 2B 2 RBI BB—.298 7 HR 74 RBI 67 BB 34 SB

Cole Gillespie

• 2-4 2B RBI—.281 14 HR 79 RBI 75 BB 17 SB 38 2B

Chris Nelson

• 3-5 R 2 RBI—.230 4 HR 47 RBI 6 SB (one of ’08’s biggest busts)

Dexter Fowler

• 3-5 2 2B 3B 2R 2 RBI—.335 9 HR 64 RBI 20 SB 65 BB 92 R 31 2B

Mitch Einertson

• 4-4 2B RBI R—.262 11 HR 62 RBI

BUY/SELL Analysis

Pedroia-Lite?

Chris Coghlan is one of the only guys on this list that I haven’t written about in previous posts.  Coghlan is a former supplimental 1st round pick out of the University of Mississippi who plays the game with grit and passion.  Coghlan is not a power hitter, he often employs an inside-out swing, though he has the potential to drive balls well into the gaps for extra bases.  Coghlan is one of several Marlins prospects who runs the bases extremely well, stealing 34 bases in 44 tries.  He walks more than he strikes out (67BB/65K) and does all the little things to drive in runs and move runners.  He is still learning 2B after being converted from 3B last season, though his range, arm, and glove should allow him to stay there.  Coghlan has autographed 1st year cards in the 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospect and Bowman’s Best.  He also has cards available in the 2007 Bowman Heritage set.  The autographs vary in price from as low as $3-5 for his Bowman’s Best to $6-9 for his Bowman Chrome cards.

Market Advice: Coghlan reminds me of a poor man’s Dustin Pedroia.  He likes to get his uniform dirty, he makes good contact with the ball, runs well, works the count and can hit the occasional long ball.  The Marlins are by no means going to every supplant the Red Sox in popularity, but this is an organization that is thick with talent and is primed to be one of the top NL teams again within the next year or two.  Coghlan is not going to challenge Dan Uggla for his job anytime soon, but Uggla may find himself moving to 3B once Coghlan is ready (especially on the heels of this year All-Star game meltdown).  Expect Coghlan to challenge for a roster spot this next spring making him a strong BUY right now.

Fav-5 Blossoming Major League Stars

Posted by Jeremy on June 30, 2008 under Market Watch | Be the First to Comment

I got to thinking today about players that have graduated from being prospects into bonafide major league players.  Some prospects vault directly into superstardom without many growing pains at the major league level.  Others shine brightly for a brief period before fizzling out into baseball card anonymity.  I have compiled a list of 5 players that I believe are just beginning to turn the corner as they vault their way into baseball stardom. I focused my efforts on players that have had at least 500 AB’s at the major league level or 150 IP.  They are presented in no particular order.

1.) ZACK GREINKE

• Greinke made a nice comeback last season as a starter and reliever after missing virtually all of 2006 with personal issues.  This season, Grienke has been solid as the stopper for a young Royals team that is still learning how to win.  Grienke has a 92-95 MPH heater with good action and a sharp slider and changeup.  Grienke doesn’t turn 25 until after this season and with Daniel Cortes and Luke Hochevar set to join the rotation alongside Gil Meche and Brian Bannister, it is reasonable to think that the Royals will be a team to watch within the next season or two.  This bode’s well for Greinke’s RC’s which can be found in the 2002 Bowman Chrome and Draft Picks set that are currently selling on Ebay for $2-2.50 each.  He also has an XRC Auto in the underrated UD Prospect Premieres set that sells for $15-20.  Although he is a pitcher and is subject to unpredictible progress, I would not be surprised to see Greinke become a 18-20 game winner soon.

RICKIE WEEKS

• Weeks has not turned into the superstar that the Brewers and everyone else thought he would when he was the 2nd pick of the 2003 MLB Draft.  Weeks has battled strikeouts and inconsistencies over his 3 year career.  This season, Weeks is hitting an abysmal .213 with 7 HR 22 RBI and 11 SB.  Rickie will turn 26 at the end of this season and will be entering the prime years of his career.  It remains to be seen as to whether or not Weeks will take that monumental step into superstardom that he once seemed to be destined to take.  Weeks’ best RC’s are autographed versions in the 2003 Bowman Chrome Draft and SPX sets.  The chromes sell for $20-22.50 and the SPX cards go for double that.  I am encouraged by Weeks’ cutdown in strikeouts this year, he is on pace to score 100 runs for the second consecutive year while walking a career high 65 times.  The 2003 Bowman Chrome Draft set has seen some serious market love over the years like Delmon Young, Nick Markakis, Brandon Wood, Ryan Howard, and Jon Papelbon.  Why can’t a post-hype prospect like Rickie Weeks be the next big offering from that set?

JEREMY HERMIDA

• Hermida enjoyed a successful first full season in 2007 hitting .296 with 18 HR and 63 RBI.  Hermida has had injury bugaboos over the last couple of season which has hampered his power production and market exposure.  This season Jeremy is hitting .271 with 8 HR and 38 RBI, but his strikeout rate is a bit of a concern to me (69 K’s in 71 games).  Hermida plays in a weak collector’s market and is not eligible to be a free agent until 2012.  However, I think that the Marlins will be in the playoff hunt all season and Hermida is going to be a key cog in that offense.  Jeremy’s best cards, like Zack Greinke, can be found in the 2002 Bowman Chrome Draft and he also has and autographed XRC in the UD Prospect Premeires set.  The chromes sell for $3-4 each and the Prospect Premeires auto sells for $22-25.  At age 24, Hermida has several years to develop into the hitting savant that he profiled to be as a teen.

4.) COREY HART

• Hart broke out in his first full season with the Brew Crew hitting .295 with 24 HR 81 RBI and 23 SB.  Hart is 6-6 and 220 lbs, plays all 3 outfield positions and, at 25 years old is ready to enter the prime of his career.  Even more intriguing is the fact that Hart will be a free agent at the end of this season.  Will the Brewers resign him?  My gut tells me no, as they will sew more money into long term deals for Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and J.J. Hardy while finding room for the bevy of prospects at AA like Matt LaPorta, Mat Gamel, Michael Brantley and Cole Gillespie.  If Hart signs a free agent deal with another team, it would seem likely that it will be in a more media-friendly market than Milwaukee.  This bodes well for his value on the open market.  Currently, Hart has his only first year cards in the 2002 Bowman and Chrome DP sets.  His regular chromes sell for between $2-3 each online with refractors selling at $12-15 each.  I think Hart will be wearing a different uniform by next season and he is on the cusp of having a 30/30 season.

5.) CARLOS QUENTIN

• Ok, so Quentin has found his way onto the radar with a major power surge on the south side of Chicago.  However, collectors haven’t warmed to his cards as much as I think they will.  Quentin just hit his 19th HR last night and 40 dingers is not out of the question for this former 1st rounder.  Additionally, he has cut down his strikeouts and increased his walk numbers (41BB/44 K).  Injuries are always a concern with Quentin as his first few seasons in the major leagues have been filled with them.  He is healthy now and in the American League where he can DH if he is a little dinged up.  Quentin has several 2004 RC’s with autographs in Bowman Sterling and Topps Chrome.  Each of these autos sell in the $20-22.50 range, which, to me, seems low for someone who could potentially be the AL homerun leader as soon as this season!  His Bowman Chrome cards sell for $3-4 each.  Quentin, like many of these other fine players, turns 26 near the end of this season and is primed to put up big numbers for the next 7-10 years.

Here are my 5.  Which 5 do you think will be superstars within the next season?  Try to use my afore mentioned specifications of 500 AB or 150 IP at the big league level.