Eye of the beHolder

I don't have a ton of outstanding TTM requests not, so it's always kind of fun when an envelope with an older stamp makes it's way back to me. For the second time in a week, I had a spring training request returned to me.

I sent this to Kyle Holder back on March 6, so this took a little over six months to come back signed. I definitely appreciate getting it back, even with the long wait.

Holder, a 2015 First Rounder, spent the entire season at High A Tampa, hitting .271. He doesn't have much power at all, but he's already MLB-ready in the field at shortstop. He also logged 26 games at third and 14 at second, showing that he can move around the infield.

With his glove, if he can keep hitting .270ish, he'll find a role as a utility man in the Majors at some point. I'd assume he'll move on up to Trenton to start next season.

Thanks for the autograph. Mr. Holder!

Scantastic

I only have three cards in my "scanned" folder right now, so let's clean it out, shall we?!

I am never this low on scans, and I guess I attribute it to moving and getting very few packages/TTMs lately...which is fine by me for now while I get settled. I actually have a box of 2016 Topps Bunt due at my house today. While I'm not necessarily a fan of the digital product, I was able to score a full hobby box for $25. Ripping 36 packs for a little more than a blaster? That was too good to pass up.

Anyhow, all three cards in my scanned folder happen to be Bowman autos of some solid Yankees prospects.

Here are just two of the glutton of shortstops the Yankees have in the minors. Kyle Holder is a whiz with the glove and was selected by the Yankees in the first round of last year's draft. While he didn't hit much last year, he's holding his own in low-A, hitting at a .275-ish clip. With his D, if he can hit .260-.280, he'll be an everyday SS in the Bigs.

Wilkerman Garcia was very hyped up heading into the season, ready to follow Jorge Mateo as the next big Yankees SS prospect. He had a great year as a 17-year-old in the GCL. He was aggressively pushed up to Pulaski as an 18-year-old this season, and has struggled a bit, hitting below .200. Still, he's just 18 and getting regular at bats, so the results aren't super important right now. He still projects well and is rated 12th in the Yankees system by MLB.com, which is impressive after their trade deadline haul.

Domingo Acevedo is one of the better pitchers in the system, and he's had an impressive year. He's a large kid - 6'7", but has shown very good control, striking out 102 while walking just 22 in 92 innings between Charleston and Tampa. I'd expect him to head to Trenton soon, as he's just getting back from the DL. It'll be fun when 6'7" Acedveo pitches eight strong innings then hands a lead over to 6'8" Dellin Betances.

Ok, the scanned folder is officially empty, but I know it won't stay that way for long!

Zippy Zapped and it feels so good

I'm seriously contemplating not giving Zippy Zappy my new address.

It's not that I don't appreciate his packages. It's that they are too good! When I moved, I had to basically use one whole truck just to bring cards ZZ has sent me.

I'm kidding, of course. I would never say no to one of the epic Zappings. He definitely puts a lot of thought into his package, and the layer of personalization is a large part of what make these great.

He always throws in some from Staten Island Yankee goodies, which is cool. Even though I live close, I never make it out to the SI games, but ZZ always has me covered:

But the best part was this cool anniversary set from SI's 2000 Championship.

Great looking set! The cards all fold out and are perforated, but I haven't separated them.

Speaking of great looking sets, there was also a complete 2015 SI Yankees team set. I know I commented several times to ZZ how much I like the look of this set. I intend to use a few of them for TTM purposes.

A Jeter Lego guy! I'm definitely going to let my little guy play with this. No sense keeping it in a box.

Zippy makes some cool customs that he uses for in-person and TTM autographs. He was nice enough to give me a SIGNED one of Yankees stud pitching prospect James Kaprielian. Just fantastic! Except I read "Jimmy Key" when I look at his signature.

Here are a couple of unsigned customs. I love the '85-themed Kaprielian. Nice touch with the Draft logo too!

As if that wasn't a lot, he sent along a re-pack hobby box, as he's done in the past. It's always such a fun break. Imagine, packs upon packs containing cards of your team/guys you collect.

There's a bit of everything in there too. Hits after hits! I'm not sure what the odds were of this re-pack box, but I'm pretty sure I obliterated them:

ZZ, do you want this Tyler Austin back when he comes up in a couple days and wins AL Player of the Week right away?

Boomer? Sheffield? F yeah. Great cards!

Man, I miss you Ty Hensley. Come back.

Were there autos, you ask? There. Were. Autos. Feast your eyes upon signature after signature:

Man, I forgot all about the Battle Creek Yankees!

There were Tinos too! This Bowman's Best background looks like the wallpaper in my new foyer. (I used the word 'foyer' on a card blog. Is that allowed?)

If you like shiny, there was plenty of that too:

 

 

Prospects? Of course. ZZ's knowledge of the Yankee system dwarfs mine, but I know enough to get excited when I get a Thairo Estrada.

Or a Luis Severino.

Or a Jorge Mateo.

Or a Kyle Holder.

Hey Topps, make inserts that look as sweet as this. I dare you.

Honestly, Zippy Zappy, your generosity always astounds me, and this re-pack hobby box was no exception. From the big hits to the minor league issues, they all have a place in my collection. Thank you!

TTM Success: Kyle Holder

Man, I did it again.

A few days after posting about buying a Brady Lail auto because I hadn't go him through the mail, a TTM from him shows up.

So I went out and bought a Bowman Kyle Holder auto, then guess what?

Yep. This arrived:

Don't get me wrong, I'm very pleased to get this back! I just think it's funny that I lose patience, buy a certified auto, then end up with a TTM. The certified Holder hasn't even arrived, that's how funny this ordeal is.

Holder was selected in the first round of last June's MLB Draft. He was widely considered the best defensive shortstop in the Draft, and apparently Cashman got tons of texts congratulating the pick. I bet they were like "Hey Bri, Cool pick on Holder he's good LOL." "Aw man, I was going to take holder at #38 SMH." Holder didn't hit worth a lick last season, but he is apparently MLB-ready now with the glove. The problem is, I really don't want to see a SS defensive wizard who hits .200. That feels like the '80s.

Luckily, Kyle just needed some time to adjust to pro ball. He's hitting .294 this season at Charleston, and recently concluded a 16-game hit streak. It's nice to see him handle the bat, and I look forward to seeing him develop these next few years.

SuperTraders #9: A Cracked Bat

I recently got a PBE (plain brown envelope) from Julie over at A Cracked Bat, and it was packed with some pretty awesome cards, including the lovely one above.

I know Julie definitely pays attention to my PCs, as she sent me some sweet Phil Rizzuto cards. I needed three of the four, and it put my over 60 unique Rizzutos in my small Scooter PC.

A couple of more guys I collect in Tino and Betances.

This was my first chance at seeing 2016 Spring Fever. I’m a little confused by the design. First off, it feels less premium than the last few years. No shine or anything, which isn’t mandatory, but the card also feels a bit flimsier than the past few years. Additionally, nothing about the design yells “spring training" or "time for baseball!" The design of the last few years were full of palm trees, cactus, and bright, warm colors. This feels a bit cold and…is that snow in the lower left? The orbs aren't really very spring-like either. I’m all for a set like this, and I really liked the designs of years past, but this came up a little short. Still, I really enjoy receiving these in trade packages because I don’t have any other means to track these down.

Collector’s Choice SE really brings me back. It wasn’t much different than the flagship set except for the foil logos. I also feel like this might have come out first in 1995, but don’t quote me on that. All I know is Collector’s Choice was a staple for me growing up.

More 2016 Donruss. I’m impressed by how many bloggers seemed to bust Donruss ins some capacity. I really like the Rated Rookie cards this year. It’s a clean design that looks good.

And speaking of rookies, here’s a really nice Refractor of Yankees 2015 first rounder Kyle Holder. Known as a defensive wiz, Holder actually had three errors in last night’s game in Charleston. Not sure what happened there.

Julie, Tigers are headed your way soon. Thanks so much for a great PBE. Do you think “PBE” will catch on?