PITCHERS: Official Thread of the Hobby’s Outcast Position

[cjraleigh]

Originally Posted by eye4talent

As the OP of this thread, I’d like to make something clear: this is a safe space for fans of pitchers, a position that—as the title of the thread indicates—is not terribly appreciated by the hobby. As someone who made a killing on Soto, Acuna, Vlad, and Gleyber, I can confidently say that this is not the place for similar hopes.

Sure, we’d like to see all these guys turn into HOF-bound Cy Young candidates and for the values of their cards to rise, but we know these are mostly a bunch of future Jack Flaherty’s and Michael Wachas. Heck, as a Giants fan, I sure know how short-lived the magic of a Lincecum or MadBum can be.

Now, I’m curious to know: what self-righteous knobs think that a distinction needs to be made between collecting and making a few bucks? I like picking up cards, holding them for a while, and then releasing them back into the wild. Does that mean I’m not a collector? Not at all. I collected the cards, but then decided not to take them to my grave. Good for me. And good for the next guy.

And stop with the rookie card garbage. If you want to abide by someone else’s definition of a rookie card and confine yourself to mass-produced base cards, then that’s your thing. But if there’s a version of a card that’s a little different and a lot more rare, then that is an option for a different kind of rookie card collector.

Now, tell me: I acquired all the below cards of Hunter Greene, creating a so-called rainbow. I sure hope Greene emerges as a perennial Cy Young contender, but who knows if that’ll happen. Regardless, I’ll probably sell this rainbow someday. Am I a collector? Or a bottom-feeding flipper? (Hint: my joy of collecting comes from the journey.)

Bonus questions: Is there one rookie card, or are there 11 rookie cards in this photo? If it’s the former, would you consider this a rookie rainbow? And finally, why would people be willing to pay more for this 1/1 than for a Hunter Greene 1/1 from 2023? If it’s not a rookie card, why pay more?



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Thank you for creating this safe haven, OP.

Lots of terrific cards have been shared, and isn't that really the point?

We can all collect/invest/flip/flex/hoard/trade/hedge/donate/burn/whatever to our heart's content.

Although an ardent non-RC guy (with the exception of that struggling dude in DC), I also keep tabs on up and coming arms. No distinction necessary. Watching today's no-name blossom into tomorrow's headliner never gets old.

[Bunny Hop]

Originally Posted by eye4talent

Amazing display of Hunters! I'm hoping to add a post or two before the week is out. Thanks for sharing.

[Pierce44]

A few recent PSA returns:

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

That Greene black refractor…


*drool*

[LVDan]

Originally Posted by Pierce44

A few recent PSA returns:

Beauties! As sad as I am to see Pepiot sent to Tampa, also excited to see what he can become with that organization.

[eye4talent]

Where do people stand on Flashback refractors these days? The ‘20 refractors made a big splash, but the ‘21 and ‘22 refractors have not been financially challenging to acquire. They especially seem like great deals considering that they’re not market-flooding Chrome cards.

And for those seeking Skubal deals, there are a couple Flashbacks out there…


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[towerymt]

The cards aren't new, just the scans.

[Pierce44]

Originally Posted by LVDan

Beauties! As sad as I am to see Pepiot sent to Tampa, also excited to see what he can become with that organization.

TB is a pitching farm similar to Cleveland, so I'm excited as well.

Originally Posted by eye4talent

Where do people stand on Flashback refractors these days? The ‘20 refractors made a big splash, but the ‘21 and ‘22 refractors have not been financially challenging to acquire. They especially seem like great deals considering that they’re not market-flooding Chrome cards.

The overall resell factor seems to have dropped off significantly since 2020, but that means cheap parallel singles are available for some great rookies. As long as centering is good, they seem to also grade well. My 21 collection of Triston McKenzie is pretty extensive and was very cheap to put together.

[eye4talent]

Originally Posted by Pierce44

TB is a pitching farm similar to Cleveland, so I'm excited as well.



The overall resell factor seems to have dropped off significantly since 2020, but that means cheap parallel singles are available for some great rookies. As long as centering is good, they seem to also grade well. My 21 collection of Triston McKenzie is pretty extensive and was very cheap to put together.

It’s too bad that people have lost interest, but it definitely makes the collecting side easier.


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[Mephisto]

Mediocre pitcher at best but wanted one of his cards.


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[towerymt]

[johnlocke36]

These recent ones remind me if a custom card I’ve always wanted to get done. Maybe would have to be a booklet or something since images so large




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[LVDan]

Big $4 mailday.
Curious to see how he does after his dominant turn in the South Central Korean Little Leagues last year.



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[Bunny Hop]

Here's my contribution with all of the Brooklyn Collection chatter

[LVDan]

Grabbed this for $5 dlvd last week. Vintage Stock ain’t great but I felt like this was a minor steal for the price of a pack

[BeastMode27]

Haven’t picked up much this year, but had to grab this at the price. It’s the regular update, not the sapphire.


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[LVDan]

Monster^

[cjraleigh]

Originally Posted by BeastMode27

Haven’t picked up much this year, but had to grab this at the price. It’s the regular update, not the sapphire.


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Outstanding! Ended 2023 with another 6'5" power righty.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by cjraleigh

Outstanding! Ended 2023 with another 6'5" power righty.

Nice! I need to get a Bobby Miller card…

[LVDan]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

Nice! I need to get a Bobby Miller card…

I’ve bid on several but come up empty so far. He’s pricey and for good reason too.

[BigSlim16]

And here I thought my measly gold Sapphire was a big pickup. That G-Rod super is incredible

(The Bobby Miller is incredible too)




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[theredmenace]

Good to know I'm basically bidding against this thread on every single key Eury, Grayson and Bobby card lol

[ScooterD]

Originally Posted by theredmenace

Good to know I'm basically bidding against this thread on every single key Eury, Grayson and Bobby card lol

[johnlocke36]

Originally Posted by theredmenace

Good to know I'm basically bidding against this thread on every single key Eury, Grayson and Bobby card lol

lol Eury, Grayon, and Bobby (+ hunter) are 3 guys that I like that I took of my list to buy primarily because of this thread

[gresh87]

Anyone got any cool Sonny Grays to show off?