Now that the 2011 Topps USA Boxed Set has been released, the patch autos have returned, but with a twist. Instead of a parallel being #’d to /99 or #’d to /50, the patch autographs are 1/1′s. A bit of a let down for the USA brand, since it makes it hard to justify breaking the product now for plain relic autos, but man are they nice looking! (check out the Dom Nunez that’s full of dirt. Awesome!)
Clean design, multiple patch pieces, and some really nice swatches. Enjoy the gallery and click the links for the auctions!
It’s a walk-off. Topps vs. Panini. The twitter and blog game just got real.
Panini released more pictures of two upcoming products, 2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition and 2011 Playoff Contenders. It’s great to see that they plan to extend these staple products in the prospecting landscape. The new designs look…well…interesting to say the least. I can’t decide if I like the designs, or they are just a bit off. Team USA Alum Mikie Mahtook is shown below for both sets.
Two of the more attractive and interesting superfractors showed up on the market this week. The first one features a former USA collegiate player who is flying a bit under the radar. Not only is Ryan Wright a solid middle infielder defensively (although a move to 2B is likely), but he also has been a producer offensively in his first MILB season. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him as a 2012 late season call-up.
The second superfractor is of arguably the most followed international free agent not named Yu Darvish. Cuban defector Yoennis Cespedes went from best player in his country to internet phenomenon overnight. We wrote about him and the video last week, but now comes the market hype for his cards. This card was listed at the right time for the first wave of hyped pricing, but the true money would be when he signs. He’s likely to be scooped up by a big market team, so if he gets to the Rangers Red Sox, or Yankees….who knows what it could sell for. Cha-ching!
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.
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