"Hobby Good" going in to 2025

[Twalk1975]

It's almost Opening Day, and unless I missed it, we haven't had the Hobby Good debate for this year. The term has never really been well defined, so feel free to use whatever standard you like.

1. Ohtani
2. Judge
3. Witt
4. Skenes
5. Soto

I am also interested in second tier players who might move up with outstanding years. Two I'll be watching this year are Vlad, and Elly de la Cruz.

[NYBBFAN]

Two second-tier players in a prove it or lose it year:

Vlad and Julio

[Akphillips86]

Two second-tier players in a prove it or lose it year:

Vlad and Julio


Julio for sure is in a make or break year.

Vlad is a great hitter that people are just sleeping on because he’s not currently on the hype train. To be fair, he’s somewhat one dimensional in comparison to other stars, but his career numbers are likely to be outstanding. I don’t think he will move up or down fast.

I always think long term though. Vlad probably isn’t a great short term buy and flip candidate that many are looking for. Chourio is probably my nominee for that even though I want to hold my one card of him.


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[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Jackson Chourio makes the list this year. He’s not on it right now, but he’ll be there at the end.

[ObanMontecristo]

I think your list of Tier 1 players is right as of this moment.

Tier 2 (any of these guys could potentially jump into, or back into, Tier 1 with an outstanding full season):
Vlad Jr
Elly
Julio
Trout
Harper
Betts
Acuna
Carroll
Chourio
Gunnar

[Akphillips86]

It's almost Opening Day, and unless I missed it, we haven't had the Hobby Good debate for this year. The term has never really been well defined, so feel free to use whatever standard you like.

1. Ohtani
2. Judge
3. Witt
4. Skenes
5. Soto

I am also interested in second tier players who might move up with outstanding years. Two I'll be watching this year are Vlad, and Elly de la Cruz.


Bryce, Mookie, still Trout even if less so than he used to be…


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[Akphillips86]

Bryce, Mookie, still Trout even if less so than he used to be…


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Of course Ronnie with some health…


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[BabaORiley]

Only including guys who debuted 2016 or later because your surefire HOFers (Trout, Harper, Mookie, Kershaw, et al) aren't quite as subject to market fluctuations based on "hot weeks" or whatever...

Tier 1:
Shohei

Tier 2:
Skenes
Soto
Judge
Bobby Baseball
Roki Sasaki
Elly
Chourio
Acuna (when he returns)

Tier 2b:
J-Rod
Gunnar
Vladito
Yamamoto
Jasson
Crews
James Wood (he needs a nickname)
Merrill

Tier 3:
Holliday
PCA - I've sold some cards that would indicate he's at least "hobby good" right now and he's on virtually every "breakout players" list
Yordan
Carroll - easy riser on this list with a quick start
Tatis - needs an MVP type year

Tier Pitcher:
Skubal
Strider
Greene

[vwnut13]

Two second-tier players in a prove it or lose it year:

Vlad and Julio


Who-lio?

[LCM1223]

130+ game seasons from both Trout and Acuna will be good for the sport and therefore everyone else, popping them back into Tier 1 status

[NYBBFAN]

Who-lio?

Sigh, I know.

https://gallery.us175.com/pics/resized/600x375/Julio%20Rodriguez/scan0923.jpg

[JRX]

Would people here say that Ohtani prices have kind of plateaued? He has the highest floor, but I also don't really see what more he can do to push stuff up more other than pitch in the world series.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Would people here say that Ohtani prices have kind of plateaued? He has the highest floor, but I also don't really see what more he can do to push stuff up more other than pitch in the world series.

No. Ohtani can (not saying will, just can) surpass baseball studs and start completing with all the other sports’ upper level modern studs: Mahomes, LeBron, McDavid, etc…

Ohtani was just featured in Fortnite. He has another level or two in him.

[JRX]

No. Ohtani can (not saying will, just can) surpass baseball studs and start completing with all the other sports’ upper level modern studs: Mahomes, LeBron, McDavid, etc…

I think to get there the Dodgers would have to at least 3 peat.

[hermanotarjeta]

It's almost Opening Day, and unless I missed it, we haven't had the Hobby Good debate for this year. The term has never really been well defined, so feel free to use whatever standard you like.

1. Ohtani
2. Judge
3. Witt
4. Skenes
5. Soto

I am also interested in second tier players who might move up with outstanding years. Two I'll be watching this year are Vlad, and Elly de la Cruz.

I agree with everyone here except Soto.

He’s still tier two, probably because he has switched teams so many times. If he has a mediocre year with the Mets, he’ll be cemented in tier two for a long time.

I think Bryce Harper takes it up a notch.

[ObanMontecristo]

I don’t count Rookies or Prospects when determining “hobby good”. There are hot rookies every year, the market always tabs new guys to fill that spot … IMO, the true judge of a ‘hobby good’ player is the demand for their cards in years 2-xx

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Only including guys who debuted 2016 or later because your surefire HOFers (Trout, Harper, Mookie, Kershaw, et al) aren't quite as subject to market fluctuations based on "hot weeks" or whatever...

Tier 1:
Shohei

Tier 2:
Skenes
Soto
Judge
Bobby Baseball
Roki Sasaki
Elly
Chourio
Acuna (when he returns)

Tier 2b:
J-Rod
Gunnar
Vladito
Yamamoto
Jasson
Crews
James Wood (he needs a nickname)
Merrill

Tier 3:
Holliday
PCA - I've sold some cards that would indicate he's at least "hobby good" right now and he's on virtually every "breakout players" list
Yordan
Carroll - easy riser on this list with a quick start
Tatis - needs an MVP type year

Tier Pitcher:
Skubal
Strider
Greene

Bobby and Judge are in a clear group of their own below Ohtani, but higher than the other names you currently have them with.

[rats60]

Would people here say that Ohtani prices have kind of plateaued? He has the highest floor, but I also don't really see what more he can do to push stuff up more other than pitch in the world series.

There is a lot he can do to push prices up. Become the first clean player to win 4 MVPs, win a CY Young, have a big postseason and win WS MVP.

[JRX]

There is a lot he can do to push prices up. Become the first clean player to win 4 MVPs, win a CY Young, have a big postseason and win WS MVP.

Bonds has 7 MVPs. CY Young doesn't sound feasible given they're going to use 6 man rotation unless he becomes a closer. He would have to be better than before to compete for a CY Young and Skenes is in the NL.

[ThoseBackPages]

Ohtani is the only active MLBer (MAYBE Judge, but thats debateable) that goes being Baseball Cards and honestly Baseball itself. He is a Global Superstar. This separates him from anyone else in the baseball card hobby.

with the Dodgers constantly winning, it will only help him and his cardboard.

[NYBBFAN]

There is a lot he can do to push prices up. Become the first clean player to win 4 MVPs, win a CY Young, have a big postseason and win WS MVP.

On this, we agree.

[ThoseBackPages]

i love Fatboy, but the hobby does not care about his Hall Of Fame Father.

not sure what Fatboy will have to do to change his inevitable fate.

[ScooterD]

There is a lot he can do to push prices up. Become the first clean player to win 4 MVPs, win a CY Young, have a big postseason and win WS MVP.

I agree that the above would bump his prices, but what happens if he “just” goes 35/35 and doesn’t achieve any of the above?

[dodgerfanjohn]

You'd think the 5.4 WAR guy that had this slash line in his first full ML season along with 24 home runs would be on one of these lists.

.262/.348/.479/.827

Also don't see Sasaki anywhere....

[JRX]

You'd think the 5.4 WAR guy that had this slash line in his first full ML season along with 24 home runs would be on one of these lists.

.262/.348/.479/.827

Also don't see Sasaki anywhere....

When guys are having 10+ WAR seasons, nobody cares about the guy having a 5.4 War season.

[BabaORiley]

You'd think the 5.4 WAR guy that had this slash line in his first full ML season along with 24 home runs would be on one of these lists.

.262/.348/.479/.827

Also don't see Sasaki anywhere....

I included him with Skenes and co in Tier 2. Base '21 NPB chrome were selling for $65-75 for months. Easy Tier 2 at this moment.

[PoPCulture]

Only including guys who debuted 2016 or later because your surefire HOFers (Trout, Harper, Mookie, Kershaw, et al) aren't quite as subject to market fluctuations based on "hot weeks" or whatever...

Tier 1:
Shohei

Tier 2:
Skenes
Soto
Judge
Bobby Baseball
Roki Sasaki
Elly
Chourio
Acuna (when he returns)

Tier 2b:
J-Rod
Gunnar
Vladito
Yamamoto
Jasson
Crews
James Wood (he needs a nickname)
Merrill

Tier 3:
Holliday
PCA - I've sold some cards that would indicate he's at least "hobby good" right now and he's on virtually every "breakout players" list
Yordan
Carroll - easy riser on this list with a quick start
Tatis - needs an MVP type year

Tier Pitcher:
Skubal
Strider
Greene

Dang…Wyatt doesn’t make the list through 5 tiers. I sure wish his current prices reflected that.

[BabaORiley]

Dang…Wyatt doesn’t make the list through 5 tiers. I sure wish his current prices reflected that.

He was a guy I waffled on for Tier 3. If he comes out hot, he jumps to Tier 2. I've bought a ton of his stuff over the past 6-8 months so I'm a believer. I like Langford and Caminero more than Jasson/Holliday/PCA for 2025-2026 at least.

[marl1220]

Bonds has 7 MVPs. CY Young doesn't sound feasible given they're going to use 6 man rotation unless he becomes a closer. He would have to be better than before to compete for a CY Young and Skenes is in the NL.

Oh, if there's a way the voters will find it. Regardless of past voting.:rolleyes:

[Archangel1775]

Hobby Good

Ohtani
Witt Jr
Elly
Judge
Soto

Next Level Down for now
Mike Trout
Bryce Harper
Mookie Betts


Could go another level
Vlad Jr
Tatis Jr
Luis Robert
Yordan Alvarez
Julio Rodriguez
Gunnar Henderson

[marl1220]

Hobby Good

Ohtani
Witt Jr
Elly
Judge
Soto

Next Level Down for now
Mike Trout
Bryce Harper
Mookie Betts


Could go another level
Vlad Jr
Tatis Jr
Luis Robert
Yordan Alvarez
Julio Rodriguez
Gunnar Henderson

Like that list. people keep saying Ohtani is in a level of his own. If that's true, you have to say the same about Judge.

[towerymt]

Sigh, I know.

https://gallery.us175.com/pics/resized/600x375/Julio%20Rodriguez/scan0923.jpg

I am ready for 40/40 :coffee:

[MyckKabongo]

Mid Career Guys, it's

1. Ohtani
2. Witt
3. Judge

Witt passed Judge. It happened in the past few months due to Witt having an insane offseason uptick in demand.

Soto has killed his value with team switching but could get back into it with a great year in NY causing a pump on his first year Mets cards.

Gunnar is most likely to break into this elite tier with an MVP caliber season.

To me being hobby good is about breadth of demand by collectors, not speculators. Will a guy's cards sell at any show? Critically, do people collect their non RC, non Bowman 1st stuff enough to support robust prices? Shohei random /299 can sell for $30 meanwhile for the Mookies and Freddie Freemans those are in the $3 box. Being a hobby darling means robust demand for ALL your cards, not just your best cards.

[Archangel1775]

Man, Acuna's been hurt so much I forgot to add him to the list with Trout on it.

[ThoseBackPages]

Man, Acuna's been hurt so much I forgot to add him to the list with Trout on it.

i saw that haha

[jjcan]

I think 2025 Hype will be

Tier 1:
1. Ohtani

Tier 1a:

Judge
Anything Dodger Superstar will be Hyped: Betts, Freeman, Roki, etc (already is with Topps Japan)
Witt



Tier 2:
Gunnar
Skenes
Soto
Trout
Harper

Tier 3:

Oriole Superstars: Holliday, Adley, Rest
Carroll
Acuna
Julio
Anything Dodger non superstar: 2025 Topps Cash cow team,
Vlad

[jduds]

I teach and when I have to proctor ACTs or other tests I rank the top 50 players in the hobby (no prospects). Yamamoto belongs on this list somewhere, but I have no clear where so I keep ignoring him. This is the list from the last time I did that (a few weeks ago).

1. Shohei Ohtani
2. Aaron Judge
3. Bobby Witt Jr.
4. Paul Skenes
5. Mookie Betts
6. Mike Trout
7. Juan Soto
8. Freddie Freeman
9. Bryce Harper
10. Gunnar Henderson
11. Ronald Acuna Jr.
12. Clayton Kershaw
13. Elly De La Cruz
14. Jackson Merrill
15. Wyatt Langford
16. Julio Rodriguez
17. Jackson Chourio
18. Yordan Alvarez
19. Justin Verlander
20. Max Scherzer
21. Francisco Lindor
22. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
23. Jose Ramirez
24. Raphael Devers
25. Jose Altuve
26. Corbin Carroll
27. Chis Sale
28. Gerrit Cole
29. Jacob deGrom
30. Paul Goldschmidt
31. Nolan Arenado
32. Manny Machado
33. Kyle Tucker
34. Austin Riley
35. Spencer Strider
36. Jackson Holliday
37. Pete Alonso
38. Tarik Skubal
39. Corey Seager
40. Riley Greene
41. Michael Harris
42. William Contreras
43. Max Fried
44. Matt Olson
45. Adley Rutschman
46. Luis Arraez
47. Fernando Tatis Jr.
48. Ezequiel Tovar
49. Matt Chapman
50. J.T. Realmuto

Just missed: Volpe, Albies

[jacksonjj]

Mike Trout's best cards still sell for 40-80k even though he's WaShEd AnD oLd

Those prices are the definition of hobby good and his prices are actually the standard when comparing the new young guns.

[ThoseBackPages]

the list should always be small for sure

[BigL7370]

Is Adley Rutschman ever going to be hobby good again? Feels like a couple of years ago when he was relevant and hot, but he is a catcher, got hurt in 2024 and had a down year.

[fabiani12333]

No. Ohtani can (not saying will, just can) surpass baseball studs and start completing with all the other sports’ upper level modern studs: Mahomes, LeBron, McDavid, etc…

Ohtani was just featured in Fortnite. He has another level or two in him.

Or he blows out his arm again and misses the rest of the season.

He's intent on being a starting pitcher again, which comes with risk.

[Twalk1975]

I agree with everyone here except Soto.

He’s still tier two, probably because he has switched teams so many times. If he has a mediocre year with the Mets, he’ll be cemented in tier two for a long time.

I think Bryce Harper takes it up a notch.

I feel like if Acuna doesn't get injured last year, he takes my fifth spot over Soto. Acuna still seems pretty popular.

I've really come around to liking Harper, though for a time I did not. He's been hovering just outside my top five for the past few years. I'd love to see him get another MVP and/or a World Series.

[discodanman45]

As Altuve, Freeman, and Goldschmidt are winding down their careers, I have been buying a bunch of their rookie cards. They might not be hobby great, but hobby good with a great chance to make the HOF and be hobby good for generations.

[LVDan]

Although the mention a few times above of "team hopping" dilluting Soto's interest was touched on some it bears repeating-Every year a player stays on his original 1st BC/RC logo cards really improves their standing in the hobby a ton. Being able to go back and grab prospect or rookie cards n parallels of "the face of the franchise" pictured in their still current uni is a huge factor for guys like Judge, Witt (and even Ronnie)IMO.

[Rage]

Or he blows out his arm again and misses the rest of the season.

He's intent on being a starting pitcher again, which comes with risk.

I see you missed the 2024 season. :doh:
0 MLB pitches thrown by Shohei while rehabbing from TJ and still unanimous MVP as DH, leading his team to the playoffs and they win the WS.
Ok now you are caught up.
:)!

Also what you say applies to every pitcher in baseball, except the one you singled out.

[SaveMeTheGum]

My current holds!

https://i.imgur.com/Pqhoa9rl.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/kpXbUTFl.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/B3vWSAPl.jpg

[onenineeightsix]

I think your list of Tier 1 players is right as of this moment.

Tier 2 (any of these guys could potentially jump into, or back into, Tier 1 with an outstanding full season):
Vlad Jr
Elly
Julio
Trout
Harper
Betts
Acuna
Carroll
Chourio
Gunnar

Great list. Think Bryce is in Tier 1 though honestly. His stuff is higher than you think. May be because he’s got fewer autos than he used to, especially compared to the rest of the list save for Mookie. His stuff was cheaper 2018-2021 than any of it is now.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

I teach and when I have to proctor ACTs or other tests I rank the top 50 players in the hobby (no prospects). Yamamoto belongs on this list somewhere, but I have no clear where so I keep ignoring him. This is the list from the last time I did that (a few weeks ago).

1. Shohei Ohtani
2. Aaron Judge
3. Bobby Witt Jr.
4. Paul Skenes
5. Mookie Betts
6. Mike Trout
7. Juan Soto
8. Freddie Freeman
9. Bryce Harper
10. Gunnar Henderson
11. Ronald Acuna Jr.
12. Clayton Kershaw
13. Elly De La Cruz
14. Jackson Merrill
15. Wyatt Langford
16. Julio Rodriguez
17. Jackson Chourio
18. Yordan Alvarez
19. Justin Verlander
20. Max Scherzer
21. Francisco Lindor
22. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
23. Jose Ramirez
24. Raphael Devers
25. Jose Altuve
26. Corbin Carroll
27. Chis Sale
28. Gerrit Cole
29. Jacob deGrom
30. Paul Goldschmidt
31. Nolan Arenado
32. Manny Machado
33. Kyle Tucker
34. Austin Riley
35. Spencer Strider
36. Jackson Holliday
37. Pete Alonso
38. Tarik Skubal
39. Corey Seager
40. Riley Greene
41. Michael Harris
42. William Contreras
43. Max Fried
44. Matt Olson
45. Adley Rutschman
46. Luis Arraez
47. Fernando Tatis Jr.
48. Ezequiel Tovar
49. Matt Chapman
50. J.T. Realmuto

Just missed: Volpe, Albies

I know I’m a homer, but Jazz gets more hobby love than: Realmuto, Arraez, Chapman, Tovar, and Fried.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

As Altuve, Freeman, and Goldschmidt are winding down their careers, I have been buying a bunch of their rookie cards. They might not be hobby great, but hobby good with a great chance to make the HOF and be hobby good for generations.

There’s a bunch of players out there that a lot of fun to collect. Some people here make it sound like only 3 players are worth collecting at any given time and that sounds boring to me.

[SaveMeTheGum]

I teach and when I have to proctor ACTs or other tests I rank the top 50 players in the hobby (no prospects). Yamamoto belongs on this list somewhere, but I have no clear where so I keep ignoring him. This is the list from the last time I did that (a few weeks ago).

1. Shohei Ohtani
2. Aaron Judge
3. Bobby Witt Jr.
4. Paul Skenes
5. Mookie Betts
6. Mike Trout
7. Juan Soto
8. Freddie Freeman
9. Bryce Harper
10. Gunnar Henderson
11. Ronald Acuna Jr.
12. Clayton Kershaw
13. Elly De La Cruz
14. Jackson Merrill
15. Wyatt Langford
16. Julio Rodriguez
17. Jackson Chourio
18. Yordan Alvarez
19. Justin Verlander
20. Max Scherzer
21. Francisco Lindor
22. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
23. Jose Ramirez
24. Raphael Devers
25. Jose Altuve
26. Corbin Carroll
27. Chis Sale
28. Gerrit Cole
29. Jacob deGrom
30. Paul Goldschmidt
31. Nolan Arenado
32. Manny Machado
33. Kyle Tucker
34. Austin Riley
35. Spencer Strider
36. Jackson Holliday
37. Pete Alonso
38. Tarik Skubal
39. Corey Seager
40. Riley Greene
41. Michael Harris
42. William Contreras
43. Max Fried
44. Matt Olson
45. Adley Rutschman
46. Luis Arraez
47. Fernando Tatis Jr.
48. Ezequiel Tovar
49. Matt Chapman
50. J.T. Realmuto

Just missed: Volpe, Albies

Next year your list will have Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer.

[JRX]

As Altuve, Freeman, and Goldschmidt are winding down their careers, I have been buying a bunch of their rookie cards. They might not be hobby great, but hobby good with a great chance to make the HOF and be hobby good for generations.

They are all locks. Have you been following who they've been putting in?

[ObanMontecristo]

Great list. Think Bryce is in Tier 1 though honestly. His stuff is higher than you think. May be because he’s got fewer autos than he used to, especially compared to the rest of the list save for Mookie. His stuff was cheaper 2018-2021 than any of it is now.

Oh I’m a big Harper/Phillies fan, so he’s definitely in my personal Tier 1, I just think it’s hard to objectively put him above or with any of those first 5 guys (Ohtani, Judge, Witt, Skenes and Soto) in terms of who’s getting the most ‘love’ in the overall hobby right now. I think some injuries over the years have tempered that love for him a little bit. But now that Harper is settled in at 1b, maybe a big year from him changes that…

If I’m putting down my own top-5 PC list, it’s Ohtani, Harper, Vlad Jr., and then probably Elly and Trout.

[ThoseBackPages]

the Skenes thing is beyond me. he hasnt even had TJ yet and is on the Pirates.

what is his ceiling there? Garret Cole?

[SirJamesHook]

I really hope Gunnar has a good season and comes back healthy.
I am a big fan and this is my biggest card of him.
https://media-hosting.imagekit.io//714fb79498c84c12/Screenshot_20250326_090715_Gallery.jpg?Expires=1837584745&Key-Pair-Id=K2ZIVPTIP2VGHC&Signature=NXMxI29HNn0Aku0WTpDWz~vv07PY2bsCtgvbWqw-TcIn32ZWfNe5~1t~ezucAdCWoQmfyI3PvIUiuCVRxsAA-qSMeB9H1To6JP8HxbTiipkI4~lXQarffCCfbJ8g10eNRIhRHfuDnKMo6k0s8WdpvprxgBGOyAeCEArL5lSgsVlOIBZ9CagvDlv37d4oQm6Iy6cHESeZ-BVEmMiPRD0z1DxFE69fQpppWA9akQ7hNupc2F1q2P-jKgpwljiwC7EJ12v8VCzEw6Mk0zoljVVF-hsN9vhBS6Ooa~lT3-453xH1uF-vLtQ-D9x7corpHj1yW9pQR4BHkTQPdiuSe54vKA__

[GabrielCards]

I don't think Ohtani prices have plateaued at all. He is at most at the midway point of his career with a really stong international market. I think his prices continue to steadily rise assuming he keeps producing at his expected level.

[Twalk1975]

the Skenes thing is beyond me. he hasnt even had TJ yet and is on the Pirates.

what is his ceiling there? Garret Cole?

Some solid promotion by Topps.

There is both a collector and investor element to being hobby good. The investors might not normally touch a pitcher, but there is definitely potential with Skenes. At least in the short term.

My dad can name only four current players, Kershaw, Scherzer, Verlander, and Ohtani. It has become more difficult, but pitchers can absolutely be faces of baseball. It is too bad that the Pirates are unlikely to make the playoffs, because Skenes would be front and center on TV in October.

[Noles939913]

I know I’m a homer, but Jazz gets more hobby love than: Realmuto, Arraez, Chapman, Tovar, and Fried.

Fried’s Topps Chrome rookie autos go for double what little Jazz’s do.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Fried’s Topps Chrome rookie autos go for double what little Jazz’s do.

Well, little Noles939913, you can spend all the money you want on little Max Fried cards, doesn’t mean he gets more hobby love. Fried also has way less to choose from since over-production really ramped up in 2021. People who want in on Fried get funneled towards just a few cards.

[Noles939913]

Well, little Noles939913, you can spend all the money you want on little Max Fried cards, doesn’t mean he gets more hobby love. Fried also has way less to choose from since over-production really ramped up in 2021. People who want in on Fried get funneled towards just a few cards.

Max Fried has an outside shot at the Hall of Fame and has way more than “a few” prospect and rookie autos. Jazz is a nothing burger. When he inevitably posts another sub .800 OPS season this year expect his cards to fall even further.

[ThoseBackPages]

Some solid promotion by Topps.

There is both a collector and investor element to being hobby good. The investors might not normally touch a pitcher, but there is definitely potential with Skenes. At least in the short term.

My dad can name only four current players, Kershaw, Scherzer, Verlander, and Ohtani. It has become more difficult, but pitchers can absolutely be faces of baseball. It is too bad that the Pirates are unlikely to make the playoffs, because Skenes would be front and center on TV in October.

good call on the Fanatics brainwashing.

Pitchers can be the face of Baseball, but not the hobby. While over the decades there certainly have been some that have, for the most part the hobby does not care about pitchers.

[Bosoxfan5990]

the Skenes thing is beyond me. he hasnt even had TJ yet and is on the Pirates.

what is his ceiling there? Garret Cole?

Paul Skenes has so much potential. He could be anyone. He could even be Gerrit Cole!

[seanrs1]

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1582746

I see someone is trying to steal my thunder/topic on hobby good I have been doing for the past few years.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Max Fried has an outside shot at the Hall of Fame and has way more than “a few” prospect and rookie autos. Jazz is a nothing burger. When he inevitably posts another sub .800 OPS season this year expect his cards to fall even further.

The Hall of Fame? The only way Fried or Jazz are getting into the Hall of Fame is to buy a ticket. I’ve never said anything about Jazz getting into the HoF, I’m just hoping for eventual inclusion in Skip’s Hall of Very Good. As far as Fried, if you think a 31 yr old pitcher with 73 wins, 863 Ks, and 23.9 WAR has a shot at the Hall… you’re much optimistic fan of your players than I am. And a “Big Hall” guy too, I would assume.

[Noles939913]

The Hall of Fame? The only way Fried or Jazz are getting into the Hall of Fame is to buy a ticket. I’ve never said anything about Jazz getting into the HoF, I’m just hoping for eventual inclusion in Skip’s Hall of Very Good. As far as Fried, if you think a 31 yr old pitcher with 73 wins, 863 Ks, and 23.9 WAR has a shot at the Hall… you’re much optimistic fan of your players than I am. And a “Big Hall” guy too, I would assume.

I’m not even a fanboy of Fried like you are with Jazz but you did leave out his career 3.07 ERA. Have you seen the players the HOF has been inducting lately? He absolutely has a chance.

[OhioLawyerF5]

the Skenes thing is beyond me. he hasnt even had TJ yet and is on the Pirates.

what is his ceiling there? Garret Cole?

Cole would love to have the arm talent Skenes has. That's not to say he reaches his potential (he could blow out his arm tomorrow, or not continue to develop as a pitcher), but his ceiling blows Cole's out of the water.

[ThoseBackPages]

Cole would love to have the arm talent Skenes has. That's not to say he reaches his potential (he could blow out his arm tomorrow, or not continue to develop as a pitcher), but his ceiling blows Cole's out of the water.

i agree. but being on the Pirates is why i said Cole as he came up there.
Steve Carton did everything he could in 1972 but the Cardinals still sucked.
The Pirates have sucked since Star Wars was a new franchise, thats not going to change anytime soon.

THe Hobby barely cares about Kershaw and even less about JV (married to a hot woman), and Max

it is what it is though for sure

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

I’m not even a fanboy of Fried like you are with Jazz but you did leave out his career 3.07 ERA. Have you seen the players the HOF has been inducting lately? He absolutely has a chance.

Can’t say Max Fried getting into the HOF concerns me one way or the other. Good luck.

[OhioLawyerF5]

i agree. but being on the Pirates is why i said Cole as he came up there.
Steve Carton did everything he could in 1972 but the Cardinals still sucked.
The Pirates have sucked since Star Wars was a new franchise, thats not going to change anytime soon.

THe Hobby barely cares about Kershaw and even less about JV (married to a hot woman), and Max

it is what it is though for sure

Free agency will solve that problem. Barry Bonds did ok drafted by the Pirates.

ETA: Not suggesting his ceiling is Bonds. He's a pitcher after all. Just that starting your career on the Pirates isn't a killer.

[Twalk1975]

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1582746

I see someone is trying to steal my thunder/topic on hobby good I have been doing for the past few years.

Apologies! I was eagerly awaiting the thread, but hadn't seen it yet and Opening Day is almost here.

[Noles939913]

Can’t say Max Fried getting into the HOF concerns me one way or the other. Good luck.

I was simply using the fact that he has an outside shot at the HOF as one of the reasons he gets more hobby love than Jazz Chisholm Jr. who’s a hobby nothing no matter how hard MLB tried to make it otherwise.

[Twalk1975]

i agree. but being on the Pirates is why i said Cole as he came up there.
Steve Carton did everything he could in 1972 but the Cardinals still sucked.
The Pirates have sucked since Star Wars was a new franchise, thats not going to change anytime soon.

THe Hobby barely cares about Kershaw and even less about JV (married to a hot woman), and Max

it is what it is though for sure

He may be on the Pirates, but if he makes it through this year without injury, he could conceivably be the ace of the U.S. team at the WBC next year. The best run team in baseball is all in on the international market, MLB would be stupid not to make a big deal of the WBC, and to make sure the biggest names are playing.

[ThoseBackPages]

He may be on the Pirates, but if he makes it through this year without injury, he could conceivably be the ace of the U.S. team at the WBC next year. The best run team in baseball is all in on the international market, MLB would be stupid not to make a big deal of the WBC, and to make sure the biggest names are playing.

lets hope that happens!

[KhalDrogo]

Skenes is the worst prospect/young player buy since Strasburg. Even if no TJ, the ceiling is limited by how starting pitchers are managed in today’s game. He can still be the best of a generation. But that’s Kershaw today, and Kershaw doesn’t sell for all that much more than Skenes. Not to mention the dollar flow into Skenes vs Kershaw.

Long-term, people will be very disappointed if they’re trying to make a buck off him.

[jacksonjj]

Skenes is the worst prospect/young player buy since Strasburg. Even if no TJ, the ceiling is limited by how starting pitchers are managed in today’s game. He can still be the best of a generation. But that’s Kershaw today, and Kershaw doesn’t sell for all that much more than Skenes. Not to mention the dollar flow into Skenes vs Kershaw.

Long-term, people will be very disappointed if they’re trying to make a buck off him.

This x's 100. From today forward, how can Skenes prices possibly go up? Obscene print runs, and there's already 5 cy youngs and goat status baked into this. And even all that will only steady the market, it can't possibly climb.

[seanrs1]

Apologies! I was eagerly awaiting the thread, but hadn't seen it yet and Opening Day is almost here.

No worries! I am on vacation and totally forgot about it. It is now yours...I will just add my two cents.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

I was simply using the fact that he has an outside shot at the HOF as one of the reasons he gets more hobby love than Jazz Chisholm Jr. who’s a hobby nothing no matter how hard MLB tried to make it otherwise.

Sounds like you, MLB, and Jazz have some issues to sort out. Fried doesn’t get more hobby love than Jazz. That’s a fact.

Also, Max Fried isn’t getting into the Hall. The sooner you can accept that, the better.

[Twalk1975]

Skenes is the worst prospect/young player buy since Strasburg. Even if no TJ, the ceiling is limited by how starting pitchers are managed in today’s game. He can still be the best of a generation. But that’s Kershaw today, and Kershaw doesn’t sell for all that much more than Skenes. Not to mention the dollar flow into Skenes vs Kershaw.

Long-term, people will be very disappointed if they’re trying to make a buck off him.

Skenes has a legit shot at outperforming his previous season. Guys like Ohtani, Judge, Witt and Soto are all coming off career years.

[kipgen]

Any takes on Lawrence Butler? Young guy, had a good rookie year, cards are pretty cheap

[KhalDrogo]

Skenes has a legit shot at outperforming his previous season. Guys like Ohtani, Judge, Witt and Soto are all coming off career years.
I’m not talking about one year potential. Anything can happen in one season. I’m talking multiple years down the road. If everyone buying Skenes is doing so for a 1-2 year play, that’s going to be a problem. Increases in supply can easily outstrip new demand created by performance.

The Ohtani market is able to remain strong despite a flood of new releases because he has the best true collector and long-term investor base in the sports hobby outside of MJ.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Any takes on Lawrence Butler? Young guy, had a good rookie year, cards are pretty cheap

For collectors only. He got too late of a start to be looked at as a serious investment. That being said, I think he’ll have a fantasy-useful season in 2025.

[JWBlue]

Langford can be Tier 1.

[Noles939913]

Sounds like you, MLB, and Jazz have some issues to sort out. Fried doesn’t get more hobby love than Jazz. That’s a fact.

Also, Max Fried isn’t getting into the Hall. The sooner you can accept that, the better.

I don’t think you know what a fact is. I also don’t think you can read at a very high level considering I never said Fried was going to be in the Hall of Fame. I said he has an outside shot which he does when you carry a 3.07 ERA through 8 seasons. But when your on card rookie autos sell for as little as $11.96 you shouldn’t be mentioned in any thread about “hobby love”.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

I don’t think you know what a fact is. I also don’t think you can read at a very high level considering I never said Fried was going to be in the Hall of Fame. I said he has an outside shot which he does when you carry a 3.07 ERA through 8 seasons. But when your on card rookie autos sell for as little as $11.96 you shouldn’t be mentioned in any thread about “hobby love”.

Are we doing the “reading comprehension” but now? A fan favorite! You’re really trying to keep the conversation rote, huh? I already explained why Fried’s RC logo stuff sells for a tad more when you compare apples-to-apples. Less quantity. I also think you struggle with analyzing numbers if you look at Fried’s baseball reference page and think he has any kind of shot at the HOF. And even if he does get in, it won’t matter (just ask Jim Kaat collectors).

Dude, I didn’t think my post would get every member of the Max Fried Fan Club upset at me. I think my take was to put Jazz around #45 on that one dude’s Top 50 list. If that “hot take” gets your goat, I don’t know what to tell you. Go to my Jazz thread, while 97% of the posts are from me, you’ll see that some other people have joined in to share their Jazz cards. Can you point me in the direction of the Fried thread? Either way, you’re worked up over me saying Jazz is a top 50 collected current player. That’s sad.

Anyway, I have better things to do than to continue this dumb conversation. I genuinely hope you do too. The one good thing to come from this is that it made look at old highlights of Wide Right, Wide Right II, and Wide Left.

[footfutbol]

For collectors only. He got too late of a start to be looked at as a serious investment. That being said, I think he’ll have a fantasy-useful season in 2025.

He's only a year older than someone like langford, so I think there's some upside here if he's has a great year. What probably holds him back the most is playing for the As and the overall sparse coverage they get nationally.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

He's only a year older than someone like langford, so I think there's some upside here if he's has a great year. What probably holds him back the most is playing for the As and the overall sparse coverage they get nationally.

Playing in that Triple A stadium may help boost his number this year though. A’s could be sneaky feisty this year.

Here’s a thread I started if you want to see some cool Butler cards:

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1596168

[Noles939913]

Are we doing the “reading comprehension” but now? A fan favorite! You’re really trying to keep the conversation rote, huh? I already explained why Fried’s RC logo stuff sells for a tad more when you compare apples-to-apples. Less quantity. I also think you struggle with analyzing numbers if you look at Fried’s baseball reference page and think he has any kind of shot at the HOF. And even if he does get in, it won’t matter (just ask Jim Kaat collectors).

Dude, I didn’t think my post would get every member of the Max Fried Fan Club upset at me. I think my take was to put Jazz around #45 on that one dude’s Top 50 list. If that “hot take” gets your goat, I don’t know what to tell you. Go to my Jazz thread, while 97% of the posts are from me, you’ll see that some other people have joined in to share their Jazz cards. Can you point me in the direction of the Fried thread? Either way, you’re worked up over me saying Jazz is a top 50 collected current player. That’s sad.

Anyway, I have better things to do than to continue this dumb conversation. I genuinely hope you do too. The one good thing to come from this is that it made look at old highlights of Wide Right, Wide Right II, and Wide Left.

Of course I’m going to mention your lack of reading comprehension when you put words in people’s mouths because you can’t or choose not to comprehend a basic sentence. You can’t even correctly spell three and five letter words. I guess we can add poor grammar onto your report card. Does Fried really have less quantity when Jazz doesnt even sign all of his own cards? You may end up with a rookie card signed by his little cousin. Regardless the fact that you think Fried only has “a few options” is laughable. A quick eBay search will show you he has prospect/rookie autos from at least 20 different releases which is quite more than a few but I guess you don’t know what that word means either.

[imbluestreak23]

Pitchers use to do very well up until they all started getting hurt.

Kershaw was indeed considered hobby good up until he started hitting DLs regularly.

If pitchers are able to come out with hype, keep performing well, and avoid the DL, there is plenty of demand out there to support them.

Unfortunately we just don't see durable arms anymore (call it mechanics, workload, low T, whatever), and thus we don't see hobby dominant pitchers that aren't simply flashes in a pan

[DaryanLenz]

I’d be curious to hear what the thresholds are going via 1st year Bowman Auto PSA 10 values. I would say hobby upper Tier has to be over $2000, Second Tier $1000 - $2000, and finally 3rd Tier being $500-$1000. Any opinions on this?

[Poorboy]

Playing in that Triple A stadium may help boost his number this year though. A’s could be sneaky feisty this year.

Here’s a thread I started if you want to see some cool Butler cards:

https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1596168

Thaz what I said in spring training thread along with the Rockies
Purple thunder!

[Poorboy]

Obviously there will be hobby good players off the bat…
Hopefully some of us poors can snag some that are under the radar
Perhaps it can happen
I think jazz may put on a show this year
Who wins if he does ?
Everybody
It’s a hobby enjoy it as you want
Ain’t no guide book or how to book on the joys of baseball

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Thaz what I said in spring training thread along with the Rockies
Purple thunder!

I drafted Toglia as my starting 1B for my fantasy team this year, so we’ll be cheering for a big season together!

Obviously there will be hobby good players off the bat…
Hopefully some of us poors can snag some that are under the radar
Perhaps it can happen
I think jazz may put on a show this year
Who wins if he does ?
Everybody
It’s a hobby enjoy it as you want
Ain’t no guide book or how to book on the joys of baseball

Who wins? The Yankees, I would assume. He doesn’t get much hobby love, so I don’t think it will impact his cards much. I know this is a controversial statement for some people here, but I have him around 45th in hobby love amongst current players… which is the equivalent of zero. He’s fun to collect though!

[jduds]

I drafted Toglia as my starting 1B for my fantasy team this year, so we’ll be cheering for a big season together!



Who wins? The Yankees, I would assume. He doesn’t get much hobby love, so I don’t think it will impact his cards much. I know this is a controversial statement for some people here, but I have him around 45th in hobby love amongst current players… which is the equivalent of zero. He’s fun to collect though!

I ranked my top 50, but 40-60 are fairly interchangeable. Once you get there, it's players without that much hobby love, but still ones that you aren't surprised at all when someone avidly collects them.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

I ranked my top 50, but 40-60 are fairly interchangeable. Once you get there, it's players without that much hobby love, but still ones that you aren't surprised at all when someone avidly collects them.

Yup. There’s so many players out there that are tons of fun to collect. Sometimes it actually better if they don’t get any hobby love. Easier on the wallet.

[JRX]

I guess Ohtani hitting 74 HR would bump him up another level.

[Poorboy]

I drafted Toglia as my starting 1B for my fantasy team this year, so we’ll be cheering for a big season together!



Who wins? The Yankees, I would assume. He doesn’t get much hobby love, so I don’t think it will impact his cards much. I know this is a controversial statement for some people here, but I have him around 45th in hobby love amongst current players… which is the equivalent of zero. He’s fun to collect though!
Gooooo big Mike !