Prime Prospect: Shelby Miller
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 195
Throws: Right
Age: 21
Drafted: 2010, 1st Round
Current Team: Springfield Cardinals (AA)
MLB Club: St. Louis Cardinals
Why You Should Take Notice
Miller was the Cardinals 1st Rounder in the 2010 draft and the Cardinals could not be happier with his progression. He moved quickly up from High A to his current location, Springfield of the Texas League (AA). Miller has been outstanding at both levels giving up less then a hit per inning and holding opponents to a .229 batting average. While he needs to cut down on his walks (3.45/9IP) he has been striking out batters at an amazing rate (11.15/9IP). Despite being a predominantly fly-ball pitcher (.75 GO/AO), Miller has only allowed 4 home runs in 122.2 IP. As long as he continues to keep balls in the park and make batters swing and miss, he should be able to overcome his high walk totals.
2011 Shelby Miller Stats
Card To Own
2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects Autographs #BCP204B
Miller’s key card comes from the 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects set. Miller is featured as both an autograph and a non-autograph version. Obviously, the autograph is the one to have. It is currently valued at about $30 which isn’t bad considering Miller will be the top pitching prospect in the minors next year. If you can’t afford the chrome auto, Miller also has a bunch of autos in the 2010 Elite Extra Edition set. His base auto from that set goes for about $10 and is numbered out of 690.
If even that price is too high, Miller’s base chrome can be had for about $1-$1.25 apiece with refractors going between $5-10. Miller is also featured in 2010 Topps Pro Debut, 2010 Bowman Sterling, and 2010 Bowman Platinum.
Bryce Harper & Jameson Taillon Superfractor Auto 1/1 Up For Sale
A few days ago we reported the that the Bryce Harper & Jameson Taillon Dual Auto Superfractor 1/1 from 2011 Bowman Platinum had been pulled.
The card is now up for sale on eBay with a $19,999.00 BIN/BO option. We expect the card to sell for around 1/4 of the asking price, roughly $5,000.
Giveaway: Bryce Harper ROMLB Auto!!
EWR is proud to announce that we are giving away a Rawlings Official Major League Baseball signed by Bryce Harper.
Bryce Harper ROMLB Auto
All you have to do to win is sign up to follow us here at Event Worn Relic. If we reach 1000 followers by the end of August, we will be giving away the ball to one of the lucky members who has signed up! 1000 followers in 20 days is a lot to ask so even if we don’t 1000, we will be giving away something else. You can vote on what you would like that something else to be in our poll.
Investment Alert: Jurickson Profar
Name: Jurickson Profar
Height: 5’11″
Weight: 165
Throws: Right
Bats: Switch
Age: 18
Drafted: Signed Free Agent
Current Team: Hickory Crawdads
MLB Team: Texas Rangers
The Scoop
I can go on for days about Profar but I’m going to do my best to control my boner before I get a blod clot and suffer an aneursym.
Profar is the youngest player in the minors that isn’t in short-season or rookie ball. Let me say that one more time. Profar is the youngest player is the minors that isn’t in short-season or rookie ball. Despite his age, Profar is one of the most advanced hitters in the league. In his first full season in pro ball, Profar has ammassed an amazing .290/.499/.895 line. He ranks high in almost every statistical category you can fathom:
- Batting Average = .290 (14th)
- On Base Percentage =.397 (7th)
- Extra Base Hits = 47 (5th)
- Walks = 56 (7th)
- K’s (Min 300 AB) = 47 (3rd)
- Slugging % = .499 (9th)
- Triples = 7 (3rd)
- OBP = .895 (7th)
Did I mention Profar is the youngest player in the minors not in short-season or rookie ball?
Its not very often you find an 18 year old middle infielder in the top 10 in slugging and on base percentage who also excels on the base paths (15 steals although he has been caught 9 times). Profar’s one weakness lies in the field where he has committed 19 errors on the year. 19 is not atrocious but by no means is it good. His fielding should improve over time as he gets more repitition at one of the hardest defensive positions in baseball. His power should also develop as he grows into his body a little more. He stands a mere 5’11″, 165 lbs, only slightly larger then my 15 year old brother.
I didn’t even mention what I consider to be his most impressive stat although you might have been able to pick up on it from his SAL rankings above. Dude’s K:BB ratio is 0.84. One of the biggest signs to indicate a good hitter is the K:BB ratio. The goal of an at-bat is to get on base. It doesn’t matter how you do it but if you are striking out, you have no chance. If you are walking, you’re guaranteed to be on first. If you’re consistently walking AND not striking out, you’ll find yourself on a major league roster somehwere.
Profar has the rare ability to hit for average and power. He has the speed to leg out doubles and triples. He has incredible patience and discipline at the plate. He plays a premium position. The stadium for his major league affiliate is home to the most homers in the majors. All signs point to Profar being an offensive standout if he continues to develop. If he can makes strides defensively as well, Profar will become a regular at MLB All-Star Weekend.
In case I did tell anyone, Profar is the youngest player in the minors not in short-season or rookie ball.
Card to Own
2011 Bowman Jurickson Profar Chrome Prospect Autographs #BCP82
Profar’s main card can be found in 2011 Bowman. He is a part of the 110 card prospect set with a base version, a chrome version, and a chrome autograph. As always, a first year chrome autograph is the card to have and Profar is no different. His chrome auto is shown to the left and every serious prospector should have at least 1 of these. Actually, you probably need at least a pair, maybe even two pair.
The best thing about Profar’s Chrome auto is the price. Right now it can be had for $30 which is a significant investment to make on 18 year old in Low A. Let me explain why Profar is a must buy right now!
The debate for the best shortstop prospect in the minors features Profar and 19 year old Orioles farmhand Manny Machado. Like Profar, Machado started his first professional season in the South Atlantic League but was promoted to High A after just 38 games. Profar has outperformed Machado in every statistical category. And its by a wide margin too. Check it out.
Jurickson Profar 2011 Stats
Manny Machado 2011 Stats
Machado does have a much bigger frame, he’s 6’2″, 185 and he projects as a much bigger bat then Profar by the time they reach the majors. I’m more of an on-field performace guy though. There are so many guys out there that have been labeled as too small or too slow that have gone on to make huge impacts. There are equally as many players who have been projected to be the next franchise player “once they put it all together” but never do. Either you can play or you can’t. Profar can definitely play.
The reason I bring up Machado? Well his first year chrome auto sells for more then double what Profar’s do. Why no love for Profar? No idea. But I’ll keep buying until there is. I suggest you do the same.
Live for Five: 2011 Topps Lineage Baseball
Here at EWR, we will review every product five days after release. By that time, its usually easy to tell whether or not a product is a hit or destined for the rock piles and half-off shelves at LCS’s across the world. Todays installment is 2011 Topps Lineage Baseball.
Product Name: 2011 Topps Lineage Baseball
Presell Price:
Current Price: $750/Case (10 Boxes)
The Good
The set features on card autographs of many players on reprints of their 1952 Topps cards. 1952 Topps is arguably the most collectible baseball card set of all-time so any reprint autograph, no matter who the player, will always sell. The canary parallels of the autographs which are serial numbered to 10 copies each are beautiful cards and also sell fairly well. Even commons like Daniel Hudson ($20), John Buck ($25), and David DeJesus ($40) can bring a decent return.
People seem to be paying very well for the insert sets in Lineage as well. The 3D insert set features 25 players and fall two per box. Complete sets sell for about $40. The Stand-Up insert set also features 25 players and fall two per box. Complete sets sell for up to $70 with the Mantle selling for $10 individually.
The 3D Set also features rare parallels numbered to 99 with a very interesting ad on the back.
Lineage 3D Ad Back xx/99
The word Lineagraph makes me believe these might be redeemable for an autograph of the player depicted on the front. I’m personally buying as many of these as I possibly can. They also have 1/1 parallels with the ad on the back in red ink.
The Bad
Many of the boxes feature a dud autograph from a current major leaguer. Daniel Hudson, Jason Motte, David DeJesus, Fernando Rodney, Ty Wiggington, Fausto Carmona, Brandon League, Jonny Gomes, Matt Harrison, and Charlie Morton head the list. Combine that with a $5 jersey card that falls 1:box and you need a pretty nice hit to save the day.
Even if you don’t get that big hit, the inserts have potential to save you. There also is the slim chance at a box topper relic /65 to help recoup your purchase price.
The Ugly
The base set currently sells for about $15-20 dlvd although I don’t see it sustaining that value over the next few weeks. The design is standard, there are no SP’s, and the set can be made if you bust about 2 boxes. All this adds up to a $5-7 base set when it is all said and done.
There are some boxes out there where both of your autographs are current players and they both stink. Obviously every box can’t be a winning lottery ticket but I’d like to see a product where you can’t lose more then 75% of your initial investment even if you get the worst box possible. Lineage is not that product.
Gallery
Lineage 3D
Lineage Stand Up
Lineage Box Topper Relic xx/65
Lineage 52 Topps Reprint Auto
Lineage Reprint Canary Parallel Auto xx/10
MOJO.com: Bryce Harper & Jameson Taillon Superfractor Auto 1/1
MOJO.com highlights some of the biggest pulls you will ever see and share the stories of the collectors lucky enough to pull them.
The Card: 2011 Bowman Platinum Bryce Harper & Jameson Taillon Dual Autographs Superfractor (1/1)
2011 Bowman Platinum Bryce Harper & Jamison Taillon Superfractor Dual Auto Rc 1/1
The card was uncovered tonight by a 35 year old collector from Ontario, Canada. I was lucky enough to catch up with Daniel (tsnider45 on Blowoutcards.com) and get his story for the readers here at EWR.
Daniel has been a collector since the 1980s but took a long hiatus from the hobby only to return in 2010 and become as addicted as ever. He has purchased numerous boxes and already has a big hit on his resume in the form of a 2010 Bowman Draft Bryce Harper AFLAC Auto Rc /230.
One Harper is good, but twice the Bryce is twice as nice!
The lucky box was purchased as part of a sealed 6 box case and 4 loose boxes from Cardboard Memories in Brampton, Ontario. Eight boxes in, the break was lousy at best. The best hits were a Joe Benson Gold Refractor Auto Rc /50 – a $30 card. The Silver Medal went to a Jaff Decker & Donovan Tate Dual Auto Redemption /89 – a $15 card.
Daniel also experienced some coallation issues hitting 2 Relic Autos of each of the following: Adam Rosales, John McDonald, and Jesse Crain Wreck. Doubles are a good thing in many cases. Baseball games, five card stud, and hot twins come to mind. The 2011 Bowman Platinum Relic Auto Checklist? Not so much…
It’s safe to sat Daniel was in need of a case saver and the Hobby Gods answered with a one-way ticket to MOJOville!
The Harper & Taillon Dual Auto is the second best card in the set behind the Harper Base Superfractor Auto 1/1. EWR believes the dual can fetch $5000-7000 at auction should Daniel sell the card, an option he has already considered.
“I think I will eventually sell it, but I might sit on it and hope he gets a September call up. Not really sure what to ask on it, I guess It’s worth what someone is willing to pay for it. In terms of what to do with the money, some will be used to pay down mortgage and most will be used to feed my cardboard addiction!” Daniel said via e-mail.
The best thing about it was Daniel had no intention of leaving his LCS with a sealed case.
“I called a few shops and everyone was quoting me outrageous prices. I’ve bought from Cardboard Memories before and I told him if I give you 600 cash for the case would that be okay, and he said of course.” Daniel stated.
“I’m pretty much one of the only guys who buys baseball so he helps me out… I buy a lot of boxes, but I’ve never actually bought a case before. I know it seems weird but I really wanted to have a sealed case that I could open and see the boxes inside, instead of buying loose boxes. I guess I had a feeling.”
That’s one hell of a feeling. Usually when I get feelings, I wind up on the toilet.
I guess pulling the “product hit” is kind of love falling in love. Until it happens, you describe it how you imagine it. When it happens, all you can tell others is they’ll know when it happens to them. Congrats Daniel, your day has arrived. I hope the feeling lasts for many more breaks to come.
Sales Tracker: 2010-11 Panini Gold Standard Solid Gold
The EWR Sales Tracker will highlight sales from some of the top cards and sets in the hobby!
The Set: 2010-11 Panini Gold Standard Sold Gold
Each card is a 1/1 made out of solid 14K gold and comes encapsulated in a BGS Holder!
2010-11 Panini Gold Standard Oscar Robertson Solid Gold 1/1
Checklist
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Kevin Durant
3. Blake Griffin
4. Larry Bird – Redeemed
5. Dwight Howard
6. Lebron James – Ebay Unsold $6000.00
7. Dirk Nowitzki
8. Magic Johnson
9. Chris Paul
10. Shaquille O’Neal
11. Kevin Love
12. Derrick Rose – SOLD $2750.00
13. Oscar Robinson – Ebay Opening Bid $1999.99 BIN $2999.99
14. Dwyane Wade
15. Amare Stoudemire
16. Jerry West
17. Russell Westbrook
18. Aaron Brooks
19. Brook Lopez
20. Chris Bosh
21. Bill Russell
22. LaMarcus Aldrige – SOLD $550.00
23. Tyreke Evans
24. Joakim Noah – Ebay At Auction
25. John Wall – Ebay BIN/BO $14999.99
26. Wilt Chamberlain
27. Stephen Curry - SOLD $1000.00
28. Julius Erving
29. Tim Duncan – SOLD $1500.00
30. Rajon Rondo
31. John Stockton – SOLD $Unknown
32. Kevin Garnett
33. Gary Payton
34. Brandon Jennings
35. Karl Malone
36. Carmelo Anthony – SOLD $1400.00
37. Steve Nash
38. David Robinson – Ebay Did Not Meet Reserve $660.00
39. Paul Pierce
40. Scottie Pippen – SOLD $2000.00
41. Eric Gordon
42. Pau Gasol
43. Dennis Rodman – Ebay BIN $2099.00
44. Bill Walton – Ebay BIN/BO $2399.99
45. Jason Kidd
46. Deron Williams
47. Tony Parker
48. David Lee
49. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
50. Pete Maravich
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