BDPP83, Reymond Fuentes of the Boston Red Sox, Bowman Chrome Autograph

Buy or Sell: It’s About Value…

Projected Value: High+

Finally, we’ve got some sex appeal in our autograph checklist.  Fuentes is Carlos Beltran’s nephew, or cousin, or something — Only God knows because the internet’s called him about eight different variations of “relative”.

First off Fuentes was drafted by the Red Sox out of Peurto Rico.  The team affiliation is enough to drive the price up, but we’ll have to see where this opens.

Fuentes is young (b. 1991) and fast as fuck (under 6.3 in the 60,) but his frame and already advanced swing that gives hope.  At this point, Fuentes knows how to hit the ball hard from pole to pole.  It’s fair to project at least a slight uptick in power, but for the most part we’re talking a doubles (and triples) machine.

The Red Sox paid him a good amount for the 28th spot and you’ve got to assume that he’s more than just a trade chip.  Obviously, the most important aspect of value is whether or not he plays for the Red Sox — Which, I have to assume he will.

Right now, he’s only weighing in at a buck-sixty, which leaves plenty of room for growth without sacrificing speed.

The Tristar Cards are presenting pretty awesome deals right now, and I’m buying.  Whether or not his stock rises before BDPP (a good chance w/ BB America’s Organizational Lists heading towards the American League Soon)

I’ve bought a couple of these 2009 Topps Heritage packs while collecting the Topps Series 1 set, and I’m pretty impressed.

At the local hobby shop, they’re coming in at about 4.50 a pack which isn’t awful but considering the regular series 1 are under 2 bucks per pack, they’re a bit pricey.

Needless to say, the design on these cards is super and probably my favourite in the series so far.  Last year’s wasn’t bad and I have a bunch of short-prints for trade if anyones interested, but I really do not like the printed autograph.  I actually think the printed autograph has ruined many of beautiful cards.  Including the Bowman Heritage cards, which come in as my all-time favourites.

The one question I have is how well the autographs will age.  Topps removed sticker from the equation, which makes pack searching impossible –  Good on ‘em for that. So now the autograph is right on the card, and even though Topps Heritage are the best card for autographs, I still question how well they’ll age.

Furthermore, are there any identifying marks to prove that the card is actually a 1/60? Or is it just up to the hand written number on the card.  This card, along with previous editions, seem crazy easy to forge. I see on the base cards there’s actual printing on the card: “Topps Certified Auto”.  What about the Inserts though?

Anyways, on to one of my more interesting packs of the year that didn’t contain an auto or a relic.  It was just a plain-jane pack, but I’m digging it (clicking on the images, makes them LARGE):

The Ervin Santana was a nice surprise, as I’ve always been a fan of the man.  I’m glad he hasn’t went the way of Ramon Martinez, or Little Pedro.  It’s numbered 1896 out of 1960, so while not stellar — I dig.

The Morneau, a fellow-canuck, is a short print numbered 450 with a grey back.

Alcides Escobar’s going to be a very solid shortstop for years to come, and he’s a wizard with the glove.

Then Soto and the TWO! Team Roster Checklists.  I’m a huge fan of these team checklists because they’re sort of like a free-pass when you go to get an autograph.  If you cant find your Zack Greinke card right away, whip out the Royals checklist!  For someone who doesn’t really want to spend the kind of money it takes to collect the 1960 Topps Heritage design, this pack was nice.

I gotta say, Heritage is one of my favourite packs to buy once and a while.  The Gum is really nasty though.  By the way, at which point do you have to toss the gum out? I fed my girlfriend a pack of 2004 Gum about a week ago — I’ll review the Topps 2004 pack next.