I know. It's an ugly habit. It produces loads and loads of junk, with maybe, at best a small handful of really worthwhile cards in the long run. I never really got the whole minor league/prospect thing back in my last tour through the baseball card world. I couldn't get my head around why someone would want to spend time hunting down cards for "cup of coffee" types, when you could just as easily get a card/memorabilia from an already established star.
This time though, it's different. Maybe it's because my latest cardboard renaissance has come about smack-dab in the middle of the Straspocolypse, but I really don't think that's it. I think it has to do with getting closer to the game. Getting down in the trenches and learning about guys who are chasing their dream.
Dream chasing is a powerful thing, and I suspect is in some ways universal in it's appeal. It's got a lot in common with our natural proclivity to pull for the underdog (and hate the Yankees).
I've bought a ton of 2010 Bowman Retail, and pulled some nice stuff. A few Strasburgs here and there, and lots of parallels. Here's a quick sampling of my most recent blaster.
On top of that recent blaster, I managed to get a good deal on a box of 2009 Bowman Draft. My "hit" was:
Mier's a top prospect in the Astros (less than stellar) organization. He was buzz-worthy out of the draft but has been struggling this year. I'll keep an eye on him, mostly because I think the auto is good looking.
I hope to spend some time over the next few weeks talking about some prospects that I've been looking into, and if you've got any advice for a burgeoning prospector/collector, I'd love to hear it.
Thanks!
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