Today is one of the biggest releases on the calendar in the
hobby world. As Topps pumps out the latest Bowman Draft product, collectors
feast their eyes on an opportunity to grab autographs and cardboard of the next
great stars. For the Minnesota Twins specifically, a Bowman product hasn’t been
this exciting in a few years.
While collecting sports cards is a hobby, a large contingent
of its appeal is monetarily driven and provides an aspect of gambling. Outside
of buying specific cards you covet on secondary markets, opening boxes or packs
leaves the consumer fully open to chance. With Bowman that reality is
heightened given the nature of the product. Up and coming prospects are put in
their major league uniforms, and for many, it will be their first professional
cards.
From a desire perspective it’s the “1st Bowman”
card that reigns supreme. Mike Trout’s fetch more than $20,000, and while no
one else is on that pedestal, plenty of players routinely top the $1,000 mark
on an annual basis. At the most fundamental level, you’re looking for strong
prospects with youth and talent on their side, with the understanding that
hitters are more desirable than pitchers. In Draft, which features the top
picks from the previous amateur cycle, Minnesota has five key subjects. Let’s
get into what their potential, cardboard and baseball, may look like.
Matt Wallner- OF 1st Round 2019 Age 21
A decent comp within the Twins system would be Brent Rooker,
although the Minnesota native has youth on his side. Wallner pitched as
Southern Miss as well, but he’s being groomed solely for his bat after being
taken in the first round. There’s plenty of power potential here as he set
college records, and his eight professional dingers in 65 games was a nice
start. Wallner is the type of hobby player that sits in the middle. He’ll hit a
boatload of homers, but the position and other abilities leave him with some
bust potential. Given his hometown narrative, he could be coveted by Twins
collectors, but this should remain an affordable chase player.
Keoni Cavaco- SS 1st Round 2019 Age 18
A helium pick for the Twins, Cavaco played in 25 games after
being the 13th overall pick. He didn’t show well owning just a .470
OPS in the GCL, but there’s reason to call that expected. He came into his own
during the showcase circuit, and pro ball is going to be yet another leap.
Minnesota obviously sees all-around promise and continuing his development
should only raise his overall ceiling. In the card world he could soon become
an expensive get. Youth is in his corner, and talent is through the roof. The
minute results follow, there’ll be a clamoring for his cardboard.
Anthony Prato- INF 7th Round 2019 Age 21
Taken after his junior season at Uconn, Prato is an
up-the-middle player that the Twins see promise in. He played in 45 games for
Elizabethton while getting in two at the next level for Cedar Rapids. He’s not
a power guy, but he can swipe bases and hit the gaps. That profile is much more
beneficial on the diamond than it is in the baseball card realm. He could be a solid
utility player at the big-league level, but his cards aren’t going to see much
of a jump unless there’s a shift in projection.
Matt Canterino- SP 2nd Round Age 21
Another Conference USA product, Canterino was taken in a
class with Wallner, who he is very familiar with. Arguably the best projected
player of Minnesota’s 2019 class right now, the pitcher posted a 1.44 ERA
across his first seven professional starts. He’s got a quirky delivery, but he’ll
mow down hitters and has an advanced approach on the mound. There’s middle-of-the-rotation
upside here for Minnesota and that’s great news for the big-league club.
Pitchers aren’t highly collectible however, and that generally mutes prices
significantly. With the volatility of injury or ineffectiveness as well, there
should be no reason this is ever more than an entry level purchase.
Spencer Steer- INF 3rd Round Age 21
After playing for the Oregon Ducks across three seasons,
Steer was selected by the Twins and made quite the impression. His .949 OPS at
Elizabethton earned him a promotion to Cedar Rapids. In 44 games there he owned
a .745 OPS still buoyed by a strong OBP. He’s always controlled the strike zone
well, and he should have some potential to grow into power. Steer isn’t going
to light the world on fire, but he’s probably got the safest floor of anyone
that made it into the product for Minnesota. An affordable autograph with
staying power makes this one worthy of looking into.
