As usual, the progression of information is a bit “off” at the Topps offices.  We brought you the extremely vague information about the 2011 Topps USA Boxed Set release, but it had no checklist or card images.  The product is set to release very soon and we still haven’t seen a legit sell sheet with any more info.

Thanks to Gilmore at Freedom Card Board, we have actual scans of the cards.  Very interesting stuff.  We’re still debating on the design, but it seems to be all on-card autographs, which is nice.  Check them out for yourself and let us know what you think.

It took a little while (probably longer than it should have), but the first 2011 Bowman Chrome USA 18U Superfractor auto entered and exited the market.  It turned out to be one of the players with the most upside, both hobby-wise and potential, in the entire set.

I really thought it would sell for more, given the prices of the other parallels.  Whoever ended up snagging it got a pretty solid deal.

Watch out for Walker Weickel.  Already standing at 6’6 205lbs, he’s about as projectable as a pitcher comes from the right side.  Touching 94 at this point can only mean scout salivate over his potential as he fills out down the road.

Another USA season is starting, which means the USA card license is once again in full swing.  Topps still holds the licensing rights, so they planned another schedule of release dates for the Team USA autographs, spread out over multiple releases.  While the 2011 Topps Chrome autos (Collegiate) are only in redemption form and the 2011 Bowman Platinum redemption autos (Collegiate) are cheaper than cheap, we finally have the first live and significant set.

The 18U team are once again autos in 2011 Bowman Chrome, featuring a lackluster team of players (arguably so), and the prices are reflecting of this.  Two of the best players - Albert Almora and Nelson Rodriguez – are back for repeat USA autographs.  The rest of the roster is pretty pedestrian outside of Gavin Cecchini and Addison Russell.  The most notable pitching prospect is Walker Weickel, who oozes projectability in his 6-6, 205 lb frame. High risk and high reward.

It might be early in the USA season for sales to pick up, but these have also been fueled by projection and potential.  While it was always nice to see some of the players perform on the world stage, the draft hype train pushes them to higher levels.  Based on all the variables, we have a low level of hype and few names to really carry the value.  It pains me to say this but these are nice to have as more personal collection items at this point. The sustainability and growth just isn’t there, at least until the hype train starts rolling.

The full checklist is below, along with market links for each player.  Feel free to check them out and see if you can get your favorite prospect at low prices.

18U-1 Albert Almora
18U-2 Alex Bregman
18U-3 Gavin Cecchini - Orange Refractor Sale: $97
18U-4 Troy Conyers – Red Refractor Sale: $118
18U-6 Chase DeJong
18U-8 Carson Fulmer
18U-13 Cole Irvin
18U-15 Jeremy Martinez
18U-17 Chris Okey
18U-18 Cody Poteet
18U-19 Nelson Rodriguez
18U-21 Addison Russell - Red Refractor Sales:  $210 and $205
18U-22 Clate Schmidt
18U-24 Hunter Virant
18U-25 Walker Weickel - Red Refractor Sale:  $140
18U-26 Mickey White
18U-28 Jesse Winker

One of the top rated Freshman this preseason is Karsten Whitson, who turned down the Padres to attend University of Florida.  After being the 9th overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft, he instead chose to be a part of the top rated college team in the country, and favorite to win the CWS.  Today was his first start with the Gators and he did his best to show everyone why he declined a pro career…..for now.

From Gator Country:

In his NCAA debut, Florida freshman Karsten Whitson struck out nine University of South Florida Bulls, walked one batter and allowed just one hit in five innings.  Whitson combined with three Gator relievers to shut out USF 5-0 and earn a season-opening series sweep over the Bulls.

“I felt good,” Whitson said.  “I was really excited to just get out there and throw strikes.”

After allowing a first inning single to USF shortstop Sam Mende, Whitson settled down and retired the next 11 batters he faced.

“It was a good piece of hitting by (Mende),” Whitson said.  “I threw a fastball inside and he got his hands through.  It was a good pitch but a better job of hitting.  I just kept making good pitches after that and tried to hit my spots.  I just tried to keep the ball low in the zone, throw strikes and let my team behind me make plays.  I was getting pretty good movement (on my fastball).  I was definitely trying to throw my two-seam inside to get them to hit into ground balls, which they did, and my slider was working pretty good too so I was happy.”

Whitson (1-0) was taken ninth overall by the San Diego Padres in last year’s Major League Baseball Entry Draft, but elected to give up a potentially large sum of money to take a scholarship with the Gators.

“(Sunday) has got to be up there, probably top one or two (in career milestones),” Whitson said.  “This was the reason right here I came to school, just to throw on this Gator uniform and come out here and pitch.  It was definitely a lot of fun.”

If you’re looking for nice cards on the eBay market for Whitson, then good luck finding them.  I’d expect more to hit after a couple more starts, but I’m sure many are holding until he becomes draft eligible in 2013.  He’ll be facing a few others for the Freshman of the Year honors, including Austin Wilson, Kevin Gausman, and Dylan Covey.

2009 Upper Deck USA Patch Auto /35

BGS 9.5 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor /50 and a BGS 9 Copy

Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor /50

BGS 9 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor /25 and Another Copy