It's Been Awhile

It has been too long since I last posted, but I have had a very busy two months. Since last time that I wrote, I have gotten married, went on my honeymoon and started a new job. But, going forward, I plan on writing more regularly.

For card collectors that focus on baseball prospecting, this time of year is very exciting. Topps Pro Debut Series 2 was fantastic; 2010 Donruss Elite Extra Edition looks strong again, especially since DE3 has gone back to the 100 card base set after a 50 card DE3 base set in 2009; and soon 2010 Bowman Chrome will be released, with the promise of many more great prospect cards.

I just thought that I would briefly discuss some of my thoughts about these sets.

Thought #1: None of these sets include cards of super-prospect #1 Pick Bryce Harper. While Harper's absense should help to keep the cost of packs and boxes lower on the secondary market, his star power could have driven any of these sets to 2010 Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects hype levels.

2010 Topps Pro Debut Series 2: The Futures Game Mega-Swatches are the highlights of the set. Although the Autograph list includes top prospects like Jesus Montero, the Mega-Swatches from some of the top prospects in the game, like Hank Conger, Ben Revere, Mike Trout, and Stolmy Pimentel (pictured at top), are what will keep people busting this wax. Although packs are a bit pricey, singles of prospects like Jose Iglesias, Lars Anderson, Kyle Gibson, Mike Moustakas, Austine Romine, and Bryce Brentz (heretofore known as "The Other Bryce") can be found for cheap.

2010 Donruss Elite Extra Edition: Featuring an impressive list of 2010 draft picks, DE3 offers everything that a prospector could ask for (minus Bryce Harper that is).

Autographs from Boston's Future Outfield

I thought that I would take the time to share my autographs today from two of the Red Sox' top prospects that look poised to capture starting outfield positions by the 2011 or 2012 seasons: Josh Reddick and Ryan Kalish. Both 2006 Red Sox draft picks, Kalish was selected in the 9th round from Red Bank Catholic High School (NJ.) and Josh Reddick in the 17th round from Middle Georgia College.

Twenty-three year-old Josh Reddick is slightly ahead of Kalish developmentally, playing for AA Portland, AAA Pawtucket and Boston last season. After starting off hot in Portland, Josh was promoted directly to Boston as an injury replacement where he showed flashes of brilliance immediately. Unfortunately, late in the season, the patience at the plate that Reddick had improved to earn his promotions seemed to disappear and he finished the year hitting .127 in Pawtucket and .169 in Boston.

Fortunately, Reddick has regained his patient approach at the plate in Spring Training and has been crushing Grapefruit League pitching, hitting .476 average, .500 OBP, .762 SLG and 1.262 OPS over 8 games and 21 at-bats. Although Reddick will start the season at AAA Pawtucket, it looks like he should be contributing at Fenway before long.

I got this card signed after a Paw Sox game in late August. Josh is an infrequent signer, but that night he signed 2 cards for everyone who waited. Hope that he is ready to sign many, many more this season at McCoy.

Ryan Kalish, who will be twenty-two on opening day, began last season with High-A Salem before being promoted early to AA Portland. Despite early struggles against AA pitcher, Kalish finished the year with a .271 BA and 13 HR, being named the Red Sox Minor League Player of the Year. Kalish kept that momentum going in the Arizona Fall League, batting .310 for Mesa.



Ryan had a very productive stint in the Grapefruit League, hitting .267 with a .467 OBP over 7 games and 11 at bats before being reassigned to Minor League Spring Training. It seems likely that Kalish will break camp with the Sea Dogs, but could earn a quick promotion to AAA Pawtucket if he continues to play well.

In addition, Ryan was recently crowned the winner of the Red Sox Foundation charity benefit "Dancing with the New Stars" competition, edging out fellow prospects and dancers Lars Anderson, Michael Bowden and Mark Wagner. If you have 1 minute and 50 seconds, I promise that it will not disappoint.

Ryan Kalish's autographed 2008 TriStar Projections will always have a special place in my collection because it is the first autograph that I have ever got from a player that is younger than me. I got it before the Sea Dogs played the Bowie Bay Sox at the Futures at Fenway game in August of 2009.