About halfway through the box and there should be at least 3 more autos and a few more parallels. These two packs didn’t let us down:
33 Yonder Alonso – 1B – Reds – 2008 – first round – ProDebut – This guy can hit, he was a major reason the Hurricanes made it to the World Series last year. In very few at bats (19) he hit 0.316. He should either play first or third and translates into a 0.280/25/80 guy when he hits his peak.
21 Yamaico Navarro – SS – Red Sox – International Free Agent – He spit time between Greenville and Lancaster last season and hit a combined 0.310/11/77/6. Could translate into a 5 tool player for the Red Sox but is still years away.
33 Yonder Alonso – 1B – Reds – 2008 – first round – Pro Debut – #’d 22/25 – Definitely a good parallel to pick up.
36 Matt Laporta – OF – Indians by way of Brewers – 2007 – first round – He went 0.288/20/66 for Huntsville last year and was then traded to the Indians. He is an outstanding player, but they need to find room in that already crowded outfield. My guess is he will open in AAA this season.
25 Josh Vitters – 3B – Cubs – 2007 – 1st round – He is the Cubby’s number one prospect and at only 18 in his first pro season he hit 0.328/5/37 for Boisie before being promoted to Peoria. Look for him to open the season in Peoria and end up in Chicago by the end of next year. He is a great contact hitter, but he needs to grow into his power. Hit’s lots of doubles so that power should start showing at some point.
Pack Rating – 5.0/5.0 – 4 stellar cards and a fifth that might be an impact player too.
Now for pack number 10 and like I said earlier no disappointment.
100 Jake Smolinski - 2B – Florida by way of Nationals – 2007 – 2nd round – He went from rookie ball to A ball last year and is still learning to hit major league pitching. Last year for Hagerstown he went 0.261/4/22 in 183 at bats. With his recent run of injuries over lets see what he can do with a full season.
96 Tim Murphy – P – Rangers – 2008 – 3rd round – Pro Debut – Coming out of UCLA he went 4-1 with an ERA of 2.83 and 51 strike outs in 48 innings. With so many pitchers in the minors, he will have to work hard to distinguish himself.
92 Jake Jefferies – C – Rays – 2008 – 3rd round – He did well in short season A ball for the Hudson Valley Renegades. His numbers last season were 0.315/2/41. While he doesn’t show too much pop, consider that it is his first season. He hit a lot of doubles which translate into homers when he fills in. Was a johnny Bench award nominee in college.
90 Shane Patterson – OF – Cardinals – 2008 – 2nd round – Can’t find much info on him, but he did hit 0.291 for Batavia last season and with his speed and range will move up to A ball this year.
58 Ike Davis – 1B – Mets – 2008 – 1st round – Autograph – #’d 44/50 – Wow a parallel autograph, very sanzzy of a player I actually like. He had a rough time in his first season at short season Brooklyn, fought through some injuries, and ended up with a line of 0.256/0/17. Don’t let this line fool you. He is a big hitter with big power and you will see it next season in A ball.
Pack Rating – 3.5/5.0 – I love the numbered autograph but that was about it.
Wow, another nice couple of packs. Pack 9 was really nice. And the Ike Davis auto in Pack 10 is pretty sweet.