This is the second time we’ve touched on the Bowman Chrome Wrapper Redemption autos, which are equally frustrating and amazing.  Clearly, there are some singles (18U team) that haven’t seen a ton of market action, due to the striking similarities to their chrome auto counterpart (and by that, we mean exactly the same!).

The collegiate team however, is starting to see some incredible prices for both versions, base /99 and black bordered /25.  They might all be sticker autos and not really be refractors, but the hobby buyers are truly going by the motto “Chrome Is King!”.

When the wrapper redemption was first announced and then when these hit the market, the reactions were mixed.  Nobody knew how they would be received or what they would sell for.  While they were truly “free” money for anyone who had wrappers to send in, I doubt collectors could imagine they would bring in this much return.

Here is the Collegiate team in full, w/ Top 5 in sale price and search links.  If you haven’t bought any of these yet, I suggest you finally

BLACK BORDERED #’d /25

1. George Springer – Amazing high sales of $413.73 and $399.99 for what might be the top outfielder in the country.
2. Matt Barnes -  Right behind his own teammate from UCONN, Barnes is seen as a potential top 10 pick w/ a $125 high sale.
3. Mikie Mahtook – Finally tapping into his power full-time, the LSU multi-tool OF has seen highs of $100.
4. Brad Miller -  This one comes as a big surprise, considering his 2009 stuff sells quite low.  He hit $80 with his 2010 cards.
5. Peter O’Brien -  Probably the top power hitting catching prospect in the country and people are taking notice w/ a $75 high, so far.

BASE #’d /99

1. Gerrit Cole – Pitching his heart out at the top of the UCLA rotation is making his stuff sell very well.  Top sale at $188.38 so far…
2. George Springer – UCONN might be falling rapidly, but Springer is the key to the offense.  One of the best sellers at $137.50 for /99 auto.
3. Jackie Bradley Jr. – These have been quite scarce on the market, but the high has been $133.50 so far…
4. Mikie Mahtook – Talk about a power surge.  Mahtook is showing the new bats aren’t dead w/ $56 per chrome auto.
5. Nick Ramirez - Being a closer and a mid-lineup bat is a good position to hold.  Ramirez ended at a $43 high.

It only took two days for the rivalry to start again at UCLA, and Trevor Bauer did his best to equal Gerrit Cole‘s opening day effort.  Bauer took the mound in game 2 of the weekend opening series and did so in grand fashion. If 2010 was an indicator of the Nation’s best 1-2 pitching combo, then 2011 should be something for the record books.

From UCLA Baseball news:

Junior right-hander Trevor Bauer struck out 10 batters in 7.2 innings to help the No. 2 UCLA baseball team earn a 4-1 victory at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Jeff Gelalich went 3-for-3 with one double and two runs to pace UCLA’s offense.

Bauer (1-0) allowed two hits against the visiting Dons (0-2), pitching into the eighth inning. The right-hander from Valencia, Calif., surrendered an infield single to the leadoff batter in the first inning before holding San Francisco hitless until the top of the eighth inning.

Game Notes: Trevor Bauer pushed his career strikeout total to 267, moving into sixth place on the school’s career strikeouts list … Bauer improved his career record to 22-6, ascending into a five-way tie for eighth place on UCLA’s career wins list (first pitcher since Casey Janssen in 2004 to log at least 22 wins) …in two games this season, UCLA’s pitching staff has limited San Francisco to one run (unearned) and seven hits in 18.0 innings.

It’s no secret that my favorite player in the country and favorite 2011 draft prospect is Bauer.  The race for the best pitcher in the country has begun and looks to be a great debate for all college baseball fans.  The market is quite thin for Bauer cards, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t good buys when they do show up.  He is another guy for everyone to buy soon, or else you’re going to regret it.

Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor /25 and Another Copy

Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor /50

Upper Deck Patch/Auto /99

It was a few weeks ago that I made a little twitter comment about Jackie Bradley Jr. and how I viewed his draft stock.  My comment about being an undersized outfielder took some notice by Jackie, prompting him to tell me “Undersized? We will see…” as he showed me his championship ring.  A UCLA fan like myself couldn’t help but get jealous, but he also began his 2011 season proving me wrong.

From The Daily Gamecock:

In South Carolina’s season opener, three things were made utterly clear: the grass is still green, the sky is still blue and Jackie Bradley Jr. is still a superstar.

Picking up where he left off last year, the preseason All-American kicked off 2011 with a bang, going 4-4 at the plate with a two-run homer and three RBI as the Gamecocks proceeded to thrash Santa Clara 12-5.

…..

“I’m seeing the ball very well right now,” Bradley said. “I’m just trying to see my pitches and not miss. It was a great day. We all came out and played the game the right way, and we got a win out of it.”

Though he found success early, the junior truly showed his prowess when he came to bat in the fifth inning. Following an Adam Matthews single, Bradley crushed 1-0 pitch over the right-field wall for a 402-foot home run, marking his first of the season and extending the Gamecocks’ lead to 3-0.

…..

Bradley’s most memorable at-bat, however, came in the bottom of the eighth. Following a three-run inning from Santa Clara that shortened the Gamecocks’ lead to 6-5, the junior came up with Matthews on first and began an 11-pitch duel with Bronco reliever Paul Twining.

With a full count, and having just avoided an out after third baseman Kyle DeMerritt dropped a pop fly in foul territory, Bradley hammered a ball into right-center field, advancing Matthews to third while notching his second double of the day.

“It felt like forever,” Bradley said of the at-bat. “Gnats kept getting in my eyes, and I thank the umpire for giving me time sometimes. [Twining] had me down two strikes and I was thinking to myself, ‘I’m not going to let him throw it by me.’ He was struggling with his off-speed [pitches] a little bit so I figured he wasn’t going to throw that. After the third baseman missed it, I kind of had a feeling that I was going to get a hit. It was a big at bat.”

If his off-season work is any indicator, Jackie Bradley Jr. is ready to prove all the doubters wrong and solidify his draft stock as the best college outfielder.  With the new bat regulations potentially lowering power numbers, he seems to be unaffected by the changes.  I’m ready to be shown my ignorance and I’m also ready to see the card market spike because of his performances.

If you haven’t bought anything yet, I wouldn’t wait much longer. The completed listings show some shocking prices and they won’t going down anytime soon.  It looks to be a market race between George Springer and Jackie Bradley Jr. for outfield supremacy.

2010 Topps USA Green Ink Auto /25

2010 Bowman Platinum Patch/Auto /50 and Another Copy

2010 Bowman Platinum Patch/Auto /199 and Another Copy

2010 Bowman Chrome Wrapper Redemption Auto /99

From The UCLA Bruins Baseball news page:

Junior right-hander Gerrit Cole threw his second career complete game, recording 11 strikeouts, to lead the No. 2 UCLA baseball team past San Francisco, 1-0, in its season-opening contest on Friday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Cole (1-0) made 107 pitches through a career-high nine innings, scattering just four hits and allowing one walk. The right-hander from Santa Ana, Calif., tallied six of his 11 strikeouts in the game’s final three innings. Friday’s performance marked his first career complete game victory.

This is the start of a long season and it couldn’t have gone better for Cole, who is a top 3 overall projected pick in the 2011 MLB draft.  The CG victory is his first action since coming off the crushing loss vs. South Carolina in the CWS, put UCLA down 0-1 in the series.  They eventually lost the series and many people pointed to his start as a deciding factor.

It’s the college season of the pitcher and this performance is just the beginning.  Stay tuned for more recaps from USA collegiate players like Trevor Bauer (UCLA), Matthew Purke (TCU), and Matt Barnes (UCONN).

Check out some of the great Gerrit Cole sales and listings.  Buy them now before they spike in Strasburg-like fashion!

Upper Deck USA Future Watch Patch/Auto #’d /50

Bowman Chrome Red Refractor #’d /5

Bowman Chrome USA Wrapper Redemption Auto Black /25

Upper Deck USA Red Ink Inscriptions Auto #’d /25

(2) 2010 Topps USA Triple Patch Autos /50 (WOW!  These are drying up)