Fast Five: MLB rookies worth watching on cardboard

This one is a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.

This time? Five MLB rookies worth watching on cardboard

KYLE LEWIS -- OF, Seattle Mariners
If you look at the rookie leaders so far this year, it's this guy who's leading the way with 11 hits in six games two homers and five RBIs. He's also got 10 strikeouts -- a little scary there -- but he's still hitting .458. He's pushing 1,000 different baseball cards with more than 300 of those being certified autos starting with 2016 Bowman Draft. Some good news? About half of his autos are in 2020 releases so he's a big reason to rip into what was you do find and you'd be surprised how much some of his Rookie Card parallels -- no ink -- have been going for.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

LUIS ROBERT -- OF, Chicago White Sox
He's been the hyped guy all along coming into this season and he's delivered well as he's right behind Lewis on the hits list for rookies this year (8-for-23 in six games) while also having a homer, four RBIs and a .348 average. He's the money guy in the rookie crop this year if you ask me (and a lot of others based on the sales out there), but he may not have as many gains as others as he's been popular and a start that includes a hit in every game will only keep that interest focused. He's appeared on nearly 1,200 cards since his cardboard arrival in 2017 and has nearly 500 different auto cards. Despite that, a lot of his 2020 stuff seems to be among the most popular.

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NICO HOERNER -- SS, Chicago Cubs
This guy is third on the rookies hit list this year with seven in just 18 at-bats -- a total that includes a double, four runs and five RBI so far this year hitting .389. Unlike Lewis and Robert, who ave 19 combined strikeouts this year, Hoerner has just three in just one less game. Thanks to USA Baseball stuff, he's had cards since way back in 2012 when he was on the 15U National Team and that has helped his auto total top 500 different options out there already. He's been a name but those USA cards still might be undervalued and stockpiled more easily.

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CRISTIAN JAVIER -- SP, Houston Astros
He was the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season, leading all of MiLB a 1.74 ERA and 13.5 strikeouts per nine. He also held his opponents to a .13o average. Why might this guy need a look? Well, Justin Verlander is done for the year and players will have to step up. He's got nine Ks in his first 6-plus innings and a 1.35 ERA in two appearances but, most importantly, he appears on just 18 certified autograph cards -- all but three coming in 2019 Bowman Chrome. The others are in 2019 Bowman Holiday packs. Him having so few autos should also help bolster future value if people seriously start chasing them.

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JESUS LUZARDO -- SP, Oakland A's
I'd show off this top prospect's solo Topps Heritage rookie auto, but his handwriting quality isn't exactly big-league on those cards (get him a new pen!) ... but I might be one of the only people worried about auto quality on rookies and prospects so don't mind me. His earliest prospect cards show him with the Nationals -- and he's got more than 1,000 cards already -- but less than a third are signed so there is some reason to look there. (It's not a crazy number in today's card world.) His earliest ink can be found in the 2015 Leaf Perfect Game releases and then his first MLB prospect autos in 2016 Bowman Chrome. In two appearances this year, he's got seven strikeouts in six-plus innings and a 1.35 ERA ... and A's pitchers often seem to do pretty well in terms of delivering on the quiet side when it comes to cardboard. They may not be the highest-dollar cards but they can sell.

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What would you want to see in a future Fast Five? Let Buzz know on Twitter or email.

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