Your Daily Value #28

Posted by Jeremy on January 11, 2009 under Your Daily Value | Be the First to Comment

2004 Donruss Elite Extra SETH SMITH Auto #/1065

Current eBay Price—$3.00-4.50

• The window for Seth Smith’s success in Coors Field is small.  With the acquisition of Carlos Gonzalez and the progress of top prospect Dexter Fowler, the Rockies have all but cemented the future of their outfield for years to come.  That being said, it is no guarantee that either Gonzalez or Fowler will be ready by opening day and the departure of Matt Holliday has left a void in LF that should be filled by Smith.  Last season, Smith accumulated 108 AB’s with the Rockies hitting .259 with 4 HR and 15 RBI.  While this is quite below his minor league totals, he was able to maintain solid plate discipline and much of his struggles may be due to the fact that he was mainly used as a pinch hitter or late inning defensive replacement.  Given the opportunity to start, even in a platoon situation, Smith could, and should, hit .300 with 12-18 HR and 65-75 RBI.  Given the bargain basement prices of his first year autos and the fact that, at 26, Smith could be entering the prime of his career, this could be a card that approaches double digits in value by the end of spring.