Carding Baseball America's MLB Prospects Hot Sheet (July 15)

Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. Trevor Larnach, OF, Twins — High-A Fort Myers Miracle
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff get all the headlines in the Twins’ system, but Larnach has spent the season putting up very impressive numbers in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. He’s continued to adjust his approach to make his big-time power play to all fields, thus helping unlock his potential as a classic big, hairy monster who profiles in a corner outfield spot."

CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 140
First Chrome auto: 2018 Bowman Draft
One auto to consider: 2018 Bowman's Best
Buzz’s card take: About half of his cards are autographs, which is good, but it's still not a big number. His stats in two MiLB seasons are pretty strong with a .311 average and 11 homers and 70 RBI in 126 games since he was taken 20th overall in last year's draft. They aren't overwhelmingly amazing stats but he went 12-for-26 last week ... so that gets him here. I don't see any "big, hairy monster" stats beyond that so I'm not all that sold on his seasons so far.

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

2. Cal Raleigh, C, Mariners — High-A Modesto Nuts
Baseball America’s highlight line: “The California League’s home run leader has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball since June began. Raleigh already has eight home runs this month, and he’s hit 14 of his 21 home runs since June began. Raleigh is doing solid work behind the plate as well."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 35
First Chrome auto: None yet
One auto to consider: 2018 Elite Extra Edition
Buzz’s card take: He's got fewer than 20 autos and they're all in EEE so that's where you go looking. Get on it. In two MiLB seasons, he's hit .270 with 30 homers -- 22 this season -- and 95 RBI. In three seasons at Florida State he hit 32 homers (a high of 13 in 2018) so this kind of power is new but his average has dropped 27 points from last year to .261 this year. 

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3. Francisco Alvarez, C, Mets — Short-season Kingsport Mets
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Alvarez skipped the Dominican Summer League and made his debut stateside with a bang. ... He has worked on a five-game hit streak this week with an RBI in three consecutive games. It’s an aggressive assignment, but Alvarez is taking it in stride and showing why he was one of the premier 2018 international signings."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 11
First Chrome auto: None yet
One auto to consider: None yet
Buzz’s card take: His cardboard can only be found in 2018 Elite Extra Editon but none of his cards are inked or memorabilia -- just standard stuff. It should be interesting to watch these cards if he continues to play well with no alternatives to be found. He's hitting .462 with a pair of homers and 10 RBI in his first 26 at-bats. 

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4. Sam Huff, C, Rangers — High-A Down East Wood Ducks
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Fresh off his Futures Game MVP-winning performance, Huff came back to the Carolina League and kept on mashing. Three more home runs this week brings his season total to 23, which ties him for eighth in the minor leagues. That, plus his work behind the plate (59 percent caught-stealing rate, one passed ball), makes him one of the biggest breakout prospects of the year."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): Just MiLB team sets
First Chrome auto: None yet
One auto to consider: None yet
Buzz’s card take: He was a seventh-round pick back in 2016 but hasn't had any baseball cards since he's still in A-ball four seasons later. The Futures Game showing should mean more attention ... if we ever get cardboard.

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5. Alex Jackson, C, Braves — Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Jackson only got to play in three games this week because of the Triple-A all-star break, but he made those three games count, smashing two home runs in his first game back and another on Sunday. Jackson is hitting only .229 this season and he strikes out too much, but he does have power that plays (18 home runs in only 227 plate appearances). His defense continues to improve, as he presents pitches well."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 515
First Chrome auto: 2014 Bowman Draft
One auto to consider: 2012 Under Armour All-American (in 2014 Bowman Draft)
Buzz’s card take: He's pushing 200 different autograph cards so far so there's a good amount of stuff to choose from since his card arrival back in 2012. Interestingly he's not had any ink since 2015 ... so it's not like you can just shred some boxes to find one as easily -- at least not on the cheap. He was the sixth-overall pick back in 2014 so he was on many radars. Not so much now.

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