2015 Panini Contenders
Buzz Buys: Tony Gwynn's basketball jersey, Lea Thompson's autograph, Nick Chubb, Star Wars, Semi-Pro, vintage & more
Buzz buys and busts a lot of boxes right here for Buzz Breaks, but one of my goals is to rip a little less and talk more about cardboard that I -- and you -- might like. One way to do that? Simple show and tell -- present a few pick-ups and say why they captured my attention. Would they capture yours? I'd be interested to know -- sometimes they might, sometimes they won't and that's fine. It's a buyer's market out there with plenty of options and bargains as well as high-end gems to chase.
So, with all that said, here are a few Buzz Buys ... and this time around it's the biggest roundup ever (in volume, not price).
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A UNIQUE SURPRISE
The Card: Tony Gwynn 2015 Panini Immaculate Collection Collegiate Memorabilia (/99)
The Price: $16.25
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: It took me a while to find one of these (only casually looking), but this card of the Baseball Hall of Famer is one of a few that show him in his other sport, basketball, which he played at San Diego State. His estate auctioned off a number of game-used pieces and other memorabilia in 2015, generating more than $217,000 partly going to the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation to help kids in need. His first Aztecs basketball uniform went for $11,858 in that SCP Auctions sale and the buyer was Panini America. These cards aren't all that plentiful in this release -- and they certainly aren't the only place the swatches went as there are just 99 standard cards and a second one limited to five copies with a much larger prime swatch. The follow-up release to this one had a few more, including prime cards, and he also had posthumous autographed cards (stickers) showing him in his basketball uniform in a National Treasures release. Spoiler alert: you'll see one more of these here at some point.
Grab a box right here: 2015 Panini Immaculate Collection Collegiate (when available)Keep reading for more ...
Buzz's Pick Six: 2019 MLB rookies Buzz is watching right now
Have you seen the latest cool cards from a new release? With so many options for collectors of all kinds arriving every week it's possible you haven't. That's where Buzz comes in. This week's list is not for those who are deep prospectors, rather it's for those who might look to dabble with young MLB players without the wait for them to arrive. My list, which should be an obvious one for most collectors, simply spotlights six rookies who are playing well. Their biggest cards are already priced big -- but that doesn't mean you can't find some nice underpriced stuff and build some gains as they play well this season.
The new six: No product this time -- just six MLB rookies Buzz is watching.
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SLIGHTLY OFF THE RADAR?
The Player: Keston Hiura, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers
The Stats: Hitting .307 with 13 HRs and 30 RBI in 52 games
Why he's Buzz-worthy: You won't necessarily see him atop the season's leaders for rookies since he's only played in 52 games this year, but he's already in The Show in just his third campaign as a pro. He hit .317 in 222 MiLB games and that might be the biggest key here in my mind -- he's not just a power guy unlike others you will see on this list. He did have 36 homers and 122 RBI in those MiLB games, too, but the production here just seems balanced and reliable with some pop. An example of that? In his first three at-bats on Wednesday night he had a homer, a double and another homer, upping his average to .309.
Total autos: 300-plus
First Chrome autos: 2017 Bowman Draft
Off-radar autos: 2016 Elite Extra Edition (USA Baseball)Keep reading for five more interesting players in this week's roundup ...
Carding Baseball America's MLB Prospects Hot Sheet (July 29)
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. Brailyn Marquez, LHP, Cubs — Low-A South Bend Cubs
Baseball America’s highlight line: “The unquestioned best pitching prospect in the Cubs’ system, Marquez put together his best start as a pro on July 25. The lefthander set a career-high with 14 strikeouts, doing so in part with a fastball that touched as high as 101 mph. The start continued a stellar July in which Marquez has whiffed 33 batters in 21.1 innings. He’s also allowed just one home run since May 1."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): Only MiLB team set cards
First Chrome auto: None yet
One auto to consider: None yet
Buzz’s card take: This 20-year-old is in his fourth season of MiLB ball and his total numbers aren't overwhelming -- 11-11 with a 3.45 ERA and 253 strikeouts in 224 innings. It's this season that has that Ks ratio up so that's a good sign but he's got nothing but MiLB team set cards to chase right now. He should be one to watch once he gets some prospect cardboard in packs but this feels like a long-term watch since he's still in A-ball.Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...
Buzz Break: 2015 Panini Contenders baseball cards (blaster)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2015 Panini Contenders baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 19 of 99 (19 percent)
Duplicates: 0Notable pulled on base cards: Michael Conforto, Dansby Swanson, Tony Gwynn, Mike Schmidt, Will Clark
Buzz Break: Hot Corner Box baseball card repack (Fairfield)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: Hot Corner Box baseball card repack (The Fairfield Company)
Where to buy: Target (Click here for our Bargain Breaks section)
Packs per box: One hobby pack, three retail packs and two hits per box
Cards per pack: Varies by brandNotables on base cards – See gallery for key pulls
Atlanta's Austin Riley arrives with HR -- and modest card total
Update: Riley has been on fire since his arrival with seven homers and 20 RBI in his first 14 games, hitting .375 (21-for-56) for the second-place Braves.
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The newest Atlanta Braves rookie to watch is here -- and he homered in his big-league debut.
He's outfielder/third baseman Austin Riley and he went 1-for-3 with a home run in his first game last night, a solo shot in just his second at-bat during a 4-0 win over the Cardinals.
Baseball America ranked him as the No. 22 prospect in baseball entering this season and he had torn things up at Triple-A Gwinnett, hitting .299 with 10 doubles, 15 homers and 39 RBI in 37 games this season.
Panini retroactively reveals exact volumes on Contenders short-print autographs -- starting with 2015 (updated)
The mystery of short-printed Panini Contenders autographs is an annual thing -- but this year Panini America is shaking things up by getting exact.
And that includes info for some past SP autos.
Carding Baseball America's MLB Prospects Hot Sheet (Sept. 4)
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. DJ Peters, OF, Dodgers — Double-A Tulsa Drillers
Season so far: Hitting .236 with 23 doubles, 29 homers, 60 RBI and 1 SB in 131 games
Baseball America’s highlight line: "Peters remains the same balance of pluses and minuses that he was going into last year, but he’s a lot higher profile now thanks to 55 home runs in two seasons. Peters hit 27 home runs in the California League in 2017. Thanks to his furious finish, he finished with 28 home runs in the Texas League in 2018. ... The power is still some of the best in the minors, and there aren’t many center fielders anywhere in pro ball who can crank 25-plus home runs in a season."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 175
First Chrome auto: 2018 Bowman
One auto to consider: 2013 Leaf Perfect Game
Buzz’s card take: He's got fewer than 50 certified autos so that, along with his homers, could spark some competition from bidders. He's only got autos from this season and then his earliest ones from Leaf Perfect Game five years ago. He's also in 2018 Panini Chronicles where you can find some variety in ink.Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...
Carding Baseball America's MLB Prospects Hot Sheet (July 23)
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. Eloy Jimenez, OF, White Sox — Triple-A Charlotte Knights
Season so far: Hitting .326 with 20 doubles, 15 homers, 52 RBI and 0 SBs in 73 games
Baseball America’s highlight line: "After an extended stint on the disabled list, the White Sox’s No. 1 prospect returned on July 15 and quickly kicked off the cobwebs. ... He’s already socked half as many home runs (five) in 20 games with Charlotte as he did in 52 with Double-A Birmingham."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 730
First Chrome auto: 2017 Bowman
One auto to consider: 2013 Leaf Metal Draft
Buzz’s card take: If you don't know his name, it's too late to get in on the cheap as he was ranked as the No. 4 prospect entering this season by Baseball America and MLB.com. He was a key in the Jose Quintana trade and that means his present cards will show him in White Sox colors instead of Cubbie Blue as his first Chrome auto does. As long as all goes well health-wise, you should see him in the majors soon. In five MiLB seasons he's hit .306 with 58 homers and 258 RBI in 373 games.Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...
Buzz Break: 2015 Panini Contenders baseball cards (blaster)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2015 Panini Contenders baseball cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 19 of 99 (19 percent)
Duplicates: 0Notable pulled on base cards: Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, Randy Johnson, Alex Bregman, Carson Fulmer, Dave Winfield, Stephen Piscotty
Ozzie Albies builds upon a powerful start to season
Are his cards good for bargain hunters? Maybe not now on some stuff ... but there's definitely new interest and some under-the-radar cards out there.
He's Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies and power-wise he's come out of nowhere to lead the majors with 13 home runs after his latest shot on Monday night -- he's one of five players with that many longballs so far this season and it's a surprise because he's not been known as a power guy. Albies had just six homers in 57 games last season and hit just 16 in 390 games before arriving in Atlanta.
This is a change that might spark added interest in his baseball cards.
Nick Kingham dominates in near-perfect MLB debut
You may have a reason to go digging through some old Bowman boxes.
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Nick Kingham did something that hasn't been done in MLB in at least the last 57 years -- he started his MLB career with nothing less than a perfect game into the seventh inning Sunday against the Cardinals.
The final line for the 26-year-old rookie? One hit, nine strikeouts and zero walks in seven innings. He retired 20 straight before giving up his hit, which is believed to be the most-dominating debut since at least 1961. The previous high was 16 batters by Kansas City's Wayne Simpson in 1970.
Buzz Prospect Basics: Blue Jays 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Future Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gets the nod as the second in an occasional series of graphic looks at players in the game today here on The Buzz.Check it out ... and chase his autographs here.
Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Dec. 27)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: Looking at the Lakers' top rookies and big pulls from all those holiday box breaks out there.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (June 8)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.
What's Buzzing Today: Nothing but breaks today as we inch closer to the weekend.
Gleyber Torres autos are tougher finds than other young Yankees
Your next big-name New York Yankees rookie to arrive in The Big Apple will face big expectations -- but he doesn't have nearly as much cardboard as those who arrived before him.
Unlike the arrivals of Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge -- guys who had plenty of baseball cards and plenty of certified autographs when they hit The Show -- shortstop Gleyber Torres doesn't.
And that could bode very well for collectors who own them.
Trevor Siemian is Denver Broncos' starter -- with just two Rookie Cards
It's not been pretty on the quarterback front for the Denver Broncos in 2016 with the exit of a legend, Peyton Manning, the exit of his long-term understudy, Brock Osweiler, and the preseason messes of Mark Sanchez.
But there is a highlight with the arrival of Trevor Siemian in the starting spot in Denver.
No, really.
You should know Francisco Mejia after his 50-game hitting streak
One of the more-impressive feats of the summer in baseball ended on Sunday night -- and you may not have even known it was happening.
Cleveland Indians catching prospect Francisco Mejia had his 50-game hitting streak snapped. It's a streak that began for the 20-year-old High-A Lynchburg Hillcats standout on May 25 and is apparently tied for the fourth-longest streak in MiLB history.
For the year, he's hitting .345 with nine homers and 73 RBI in 351 at-bats.
Potential No. 1 pick A.J. Puk appears on plenty of cards before MLB Draft
With the MLB Draft set for Thursday night, we'll soon have a new crop of prospects attached to their professional teams and new players that collectors can now focus upon.
Thanks to various high school all-star sets and USA Baseball releases from Panini America, many of the players who'll be tabbed for future greatness already have cardboard.
That includes potential No. 1 overall pick A.J. Puk, a 6-foot-7 left-handed pitcher for the Florida Gators who was previously drafted in the 35th round by the Detroit Tigers out of high school back in 2013.
Board Buzz: Must-read threads on the Blowout Forums (Jan. 28)
The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are five threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.What's Buzzing Today: Upper Deck's e-Packs, Topps Bunt, golf cards, Contenders football & more.
Panini reveals 2015 Contenders short-printed autographs
If you ripped into boxes of 2015 Panini Contenders football cards and landed autographs, then today is the day you've been waiting for.
It's the day that Panini America revealed the short-prints among the signed cards.
Buzz Break: 2015 Panini Contenders football cards (blaster box)
From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and break down the results here. Like this and want to see more -- or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.
The box: 2015 Panini Contenders football cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)
Packs per box: 5
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 40
Base set completion: 37 of 100 (37 percent)
Duplicates: 0Notable names pulled on base cards: Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Matthew Stafford, Rob Gronkowski, J.J. Watt.
Chip Kelly has a new job -- will it add to demand for his Rookie Cards?
Chip Kelly is your new coach of the San Francisco 49ers after two tumultuous seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles but none of that -- the good or the bad -- probably matters when it comes to his Rookie Cards from 2015 Panini Contenders.
Why? Because they're already selling.
No autograph isn't stopping demand for Jarryd Hayne's 2015 Panini Contenders cards
If you're a regular Buzz reader, then you know all about the popularlity of San Francisco 49ers practice squad member Jarryd Hayne. He's a former rugby player from Australia whose limited NFL time this season sparked some interest in his Rookie Cards.
With the arrival of 2015 Panini Contenders this week, there was a new twist -- the company couldn't land an autograph deal for his Rookie Tickets. However, that didn't stop demand for his cardboard after Panini America decided to release the cards without ink but a stamp -- in short-printed fashion.
Five NFL coaches get spotlight after signing for 2015 Panini Contenders
At least one of them is no longer with his team, but there are five "Rookie Cards" in 2015 Panini Contenders that collectors might not expect to see.
And their autographs might go for more than you might expect, too.
Why? They're NFL coaches -- and they, for the most part, don't have any other certified autograph cards.
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