Triple Auto: Jamo, Thor, Archie Bradley graded 9.5

Archie Bradley is set to make his MLB debut today against the LA Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw.  Talk about a tough matchup for your MLB debut.  I grabbed this graded 9.5 triple autograph of Jameson Taillon, Noah "Thor" Syndergaard, and Archie Bradley a few months back for $100. The card is numbered to only 10 copies and a few that I have seen raw sell on eBay often aren't as nice as this one.

It is very likely that barring unforseen injuries all 3 of these young men will make their MLB debuts this season.

The Future is Now!!!

Wow! Yesterday's game was intense.
The Pirates had a top 5 farm system in the MLB heading into the 2014 with many analysts having them either 1st or 2nd.  The emergence of Gregory Polanco to the big leagues proves the efforts that the Pirates have put into scouting in the past 5 years.  Polanco was highly regarded as a top 15 prospect in all of baseball and a top 3 outfield prospect behind only Byron Buxton and Oscar Taveras. Polanco is a true 5 tool talent and his arm last night preserved a Buccos win.

One player that is having a breakout season and will be on display in today's All-Star Futures Game is switch hitting outfielder Josh Bell.  As many of you know, Josh Bell is one of the main reasons why their is a signing bonus cap in the Amateur Draft now.  After sending out letters to teams asking them not to draft him, the Pirates rolled the dice and drafted Bell, a consensus top 15 prospect entering the draft.  He signed with the Bucs for a record high $5 million and began his pro career.  In 82 games in A ball, Bell is hitting a .328/.375/.492 line with 9 HR and 51 RBI.  He looks every bit like the player as advertised when drafted.

Another player that is having a very good season is switch hitting shortstop Alen Hanson.  Hanson will need to continue to improve defensively at shortstop, but is hitting very well in AA as a 21 year old.  His 8 HR, 17 SB, and .274 batting average really don't provide realistic viewpoints on what he is able to do.  I've seen close to half a dozen games of Hanson in AA this year and when he makes contact with the ball, it is a quick short stroke and the ball just jumps off the bat.

I won the above card a few months back and even though it's a triple sticker auto card, I have to say that this is one of my favorite cards in my collection because of the 3 top prospects on it. The low numbering to 10 copies helps.

McCutchen Monday: Cutch, Kemp, Victorino!!! Triple AUTO!!!!!!

My current favorite player in baseball is Andrew McCutchen.  Quite honestly, he might be my favorite player I've ever gotten a chance to see play. I currently own almost 300 unique cards of Cutch and hope to get that number closer to 400 by the end of the year.  Amongst my cardboard collection of Cutch are many autographs, over a dozen 1/1s, and almost enough jersey material to put his jersey back together.  Back in 2011, I created Morton Mondays, but with the lack of Charlie Morton cards available, I changed it to McCutchen Mondays so each Monday I will show off one new card from my Cutch collection.

To see all my Andrew McCutchen relics, autos, printing plates, manupatches, etc ... check out this link.

The Pirates are currently battling to advance further in the NL Playoffs being lead by their superstar centerfielder Andrew McCutchen.  The Dodgers are rallying to win their ticket to the NLCS without their star outfielder and former MVP candidate Matt Kemp.  The Red Sox are having a fantastic year with Shane Victorino handling the right field duties.  The card below shows all 3 of those players autographs on a 2012 UD Superstars Triple Auto numbered to 25 copies.

2012 UD Superstars Triple Signatures 19/25: Kemp, Cutch, Victorino

I've been after this card for a long time.  I always see it go in the $60-$80 range though and just never wanted to pull the trigger for a card with sticker autos and no images of the players for that price.  When I saw one listed with a BIN or Best Offer, I rolled the dice and asked if the seller would sell it for $40 shipped.  Less than 24 hours it was mine and on it's way to NJ.  For $13.33 an auto, I'm happy to add another certified auto of Cutch to my collection.

I think I may need to add some more Cutch autos to my collection.  I only have 68 so far.

Another Bay Partner Project addition

One of my 2013 Collecting Goals was to get an autograph or relic of Jason Bay with 38 different MLB players.  Through early July I was at 31 after acquiring my Dustin Pedroia dual auto with Bay.  I've now added 2 more players by adding the 2008/2009 firesale of Pirates players

2007 UD Black Triptych Triple AUTO 10/15

Tom Gorzelanny and Adam Laroche.  Gorzelanny has been a servicable reliever for the Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, and Milwaukee Brewers.

Since leaving Pittsburgh, Laroche has played with the Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals.  He's consistently put up 25+HR since leaving the Steel City and was in MVP discussion last year while also winning a gold glove at first base.

I won the above card for a winning bid of $9.99 from a seller who had many other Jason Bay and Pirate items available for sale.  It seemed like he was selling his entire collection and let's just say I got some great steals and combined shipping on everything.  Be sure to look for the next month as I show off more and more of those auctions I won.

I now sit at 33 different players to have either an autograph or relic with the 2004 Rookie of Year. Only 5 more to go!!!!
Here's a list of the others that I have memorabilia cards with Jason Bay 
*if bold and yellow it means I also have an autograph of them with Bay too

Albert Pujols
Alex Rios
Alfonso Soriano
Andruw Jones
Bill Madlock
Bobby Crosby
Carlos Lee
Craig Wilson
David Wright
Edgar Martinez
Freddy Sanchez
Gary Carter
Jacoby Ellsbury
JD Drew
Jose Castillo 
Justin Morneau 
Ken Griffey Jr.
Kenny Lofton
Mario Lemieux
Mark Teixeira
Manny Ramirez
Matt Holiday
Nick Markakis
Ralph Kiner
Torii Hunter

And here is a list of the players that I have autograph cards with Jason Bay

Adam LaRoche
Bill Mazeroski
Casey Kotchman
Dale Murphy
Dave Parker
Dustin Pedroia
Tom Gorzelanny
Willie Parker