After hitless 2017, Kyle Higashioka has more homers than RCs

His career stat sheet is a lengthy one, but he flashed some power Wednesday at Yankee Stadium that could lead to some fireworks on cardboard with the most-diehard of New York Yankees fans.

His name? Kyle Higashioka and the only hits the rookie has in MLB right now are home runs. Through the fourth inning of today's game, he's got three longballs in 17 at-bats this season.

The catcher also has more homers in his six games than he does Rookie Cards.

Higashioka has been on cardboard since 2008 but his long road to the majors has fewer than 70 card appearances and just a single Rookie Card in 2017 Topps Update. Certified autographs? Nope. Memorabilia cards? Nope, nada.

The 2008 TRISTAR Prospects Plus release is the home of his first MiLB cards with 14 there, while its 2009 edition includes five more. His first MLB prospecting cardboard appearance? That's 2011 Bowman Chrome where he's got 14 cards to chase. After that? Cards in 2011 Topps Heritage Minor League, some MiLB team sets and nothing until 2017 Topps Update (and its Mini counterpart) and not a single card since.

Higashioka was a seventh-round pick of the Yankees back in 2008 out of high school and he made his MLB debut last year when he went 0-for-18 with appearances in nine games. In 11 minor-league seasons he hit .241 with 65 homers and 282 RBI in 585 games. This season? He was hitting just .191 with five homers and 22 RBI in 51 games at Triple-A Scranton -- and that's where he just might be when Gary Sanchez returns.

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