COMC Black Friday: The Autos

Am I behind in sharing my Black Friday haul from COMC? Probably. I was going through a few envelopes, and realized that I had never posted on my last delivery, which were a bunch of Yanks purchased on Black Friday. Combine that with my lack of new cards to show off and topics to write about, and now I've got a little fodder while I wait for some darn TTMs to trickle in.

There's nothing too fancy here, as it was more bargain bin shopping, but still, a couple of neat cards that I got for super cheap prices.

Stuck in 2011, this was a card I wanted but never got. Obviously Jesus Montero is a failed prospect - and failed Big Leaguer at this point - but for awhile, he was the #3 prospect in the game behind two guys - Trout and Harper. Pretty good. I always liked the way this card looked, and it was a tough pull. In November of 2016, I bought this for a little over $1. Prospects - they'll break your heart!

Gosuke Katoh looked like he was on his way to becoming a top Yankee prospect, but he's had a tough go of it the last few seasons. He's still just 22, so perhaps he can still make some strides this season. However, it's fair to say he's quite behind a bunch of middle infield prospects right now. I've always liked him though, and am pulling for him to put it all together this year.

Drew Finley is a guy that's easy to forget about, but he's a Top 20 Yankees prospect according to MLB.com. He should get his first taste of full-season ball this year, and I wouldn't be shocked to see him become one of the Yankees better pitching prospects as the year goes on.

Lastly, a cool signed card of Angel Aguilar. I like his signature a lot. I don't know anything about this set, but it's a decent looking card.

Ice in the snow, fo sho.

It's not often I show cards the same day they arrive. I'm generally behind in blogging about any packages. Yet, I'm trying to catch up so that I can get to long overdue JBF and Zippy Zappy bombs, which will all require multiple posts.

As I'm sure you've heard, we're in the middle of a big snowstorm here in the NYC-area. From my experience, these are usually more hype than anything else, but even if we end up with 10 inches as opposed to 20, it's enough to mess things up for a day or so. I'm anticipating working from home tomorrow. I could definitely get to work, but I can do what I need from my laptop, and my kids will likely be off from daycare.

Anyhow, neither wind, nor rain, nor sleet, nor snow...could keep three new cards out of my mailbox today.

Speaking of ice, Gosuke Katoh! Bowman Ice parallels are some of the most striking cards out there today.

The second is a Ty Hensley Bowman Platinum X-Fractor I needed. It wasn't hard to find, just waited for one that didn't include the unecessary $3 shipping. I believe this came in under a buck overall.

The last is a 2004 Fleer Tino, which I didn't have. Jason from The Writer's Journey reached out asking if I needed any of the Tinos he listed. This was the only one I didn't have, although I also snagged a 1989 Bowman RC from him. Can't say no to that. I don't really remember this Fleer set, as I wasn't collecting then. It does show Tino in between teams, with a Cardinals uniform on but a Rays logo. Sigh. The lost years.

Jason, thanks for thinking of me!

More eBay bargain hunting

I've done a few posts like this before, but there are always deals to be had on eBay. Sometimes I'll take a few minutes and search penny auctions (with free shipping) and put in a low maximum bid, and once in awhile, I'll win a card for dirt cheap.

Most of the time I lose, and I expect to. But all of these cost me just a few cents a pop, and no more than a buck including shipping. Pretty fun when it actually works out.

 

TTM Success: Gosuke Katoh

One of my favorite Yankees prospect is the young Gosuke Katoh, a 2B who passed up a chance to go to UCLA to sign with the Yankees. He got off to a fanastic rookie year in 2013, pacing the GCL in home runs and placing second in XBH and SLG. Not bad for a guy who wasn't expected to have much power.

He was aggressively bumped up to Low-A Charleston in 2014, bypassing Staten Island. He got off to a bit of a slow start, but still has 18 XBHs and 14 SBs thus far on the season. He's over two years younger than the league average, and has a very bright future ahead of him as a true 2B prospect, where he is expected to stay.

Gosuke is very fan friendly, both on social media and answering fan mail. He graciously signed these two 2014 Bowman cards for me:

Thanks, Gosuke!

PWE-town Tom at it again

P-Town Tom sent me an awesome PWE chock full of some 2014 Topps Pro Debut cards. I don't have a LCS, so I don't have the chance to get my paws on many Pro Debut cards. I always appreciate the Yanks finding their way to me.

Although I sent this card off to Zippy Zappy, Eric Jagielo was my favorite of the pack. He's a big time prospect, and should be returning from injury any day now.

Fan-friendly Gosuke Katoh and Tyler Austin were also included. Thanks, Tom!

TTM Success: Gosuke Katoh

In the second round of last June's draft, the Yankees drafted 2B Gosuke Katoh. While many were surprised with the pick, many draft experts noted that his stock was really climbing as the draft approached. Many thought he'd go a bit later, but the Yanks clearly liked him and snatched him up, signing him away from his commitment to UCLA. I wish they could've done the same with Gerrit Cole. Sigh.

Post-draft analysis said that he was a speedy slap-hitter, but he ended up hitting six HRs in rookie ball. Not bad for a kid fresh out of school who isn't considered to be a power threat. He tore up the GCL as a whole, hitting .310 in just over 200 PAs, and also leading the league in OPS. It's also a bit rare to see a high schooler drafted as a 2B (most play SS in HS and then transition to 2B as they climb pro ball). In case you haven't noticed, no one will be blocking 2B for the next 7-10 years in the Bronx, so hopefully we'll see Gosuke in pinstripes manning 2B in the next four years or so.

I sent Gosuke this Yankee Stadium card to sign, and he obliged in about two weeks. I wish I had sent a Bowman card of him, but I do like the Yankee Stadium shot more than I like index cards or signature cards, which I have a personal distaste for. Perhaps I'll try him again down the line when I get a card of his.

And if that wasn't awesome enough, Katoh also included a short, personalized note. Very cool. Gosuke, I thank you for the autograph, and I look forward to following your career from afar.