Minor League Prospect - Emmanuel Garcia

The New York Mets have a real prospect at second base in their minor league system. Like some of their other recent prospects, this guy has some serious speed (think Carlos Gomez.) Emmanuel Garcia batted only .256 for St. Lucie in the Florida State League. However, he swiped 34 bases in 488 at-bats. And if and when he does make it to the bigs, and Rickey Henderson is still coaching, look out. Those 34 stolen bases could easily turn into 64 stolen bases in a season.

Here's a look at Garcia's 1st card, a 2006 Bowman Chrome. This card may not be fetching much right now (you can pick it up for about $1 before shipping on eBay,) it may skyrocket when Garcia gets his chance in the bigs.

Daisuke Matsuzaka Rookie Card

Daisuke Matsuzaka, or Dice-K, as he's called, has had an impressive 2007 rookie season. The 26 year-old from Japan finished the 2007 regular season with 15 wins and 201 strikeouts in 204.7 innings pitched to go along with a 4.40 ERA. The strikeout ratio and win totals are impressive.

The are several nice Dice-K rookie cards out there right now. The 2007 Allen and Ginter #210 Matsuzaka rookie card may be the nicest. Currently priced around $5, this card would be a nice addition to any card collection. It's got the classic look of Allen and Ginter cards, showing an international phenom on his MLB rookie card.

With Matsuzaka poised for a productive career with the Boston Red Sox (with or without the gyroball,) his cards should be picked up by any serious baseball card collector.

Baseball Card Prospecting

Prospecting for baseball cards that may dramatically increase in value has become both more fun and in a certain sense easier than it was in the past. It is more fun, because we have many, many more options to find a baseball card that can dramatically increase in value. It has also become easier with the advent of the internet and being able to search player statistics and card values online. That being said, it may also be more difficult than in the past, in a certain sense, because of the wide variety of options. There is the possibility of prospecting for many different minor league player cards, across different levels of professional baseball. So you might just end up spending money, and time, on finding players that just don't pan out.

It can be a lot of fun to prospect for these cards that will increase in value though. So even if you don't find that one prospect who will eventually burst out into a superstar, you still may have a good time looking for them. Here are a couple of potential superstars you might want to keep an eye on.

Radhames Liz
Playing for the Bowie Baysox of the Double-A Eastern League, Radhames put up some impressive statistics. The right handed pitcher 161 strikeouts in 134 innings pitched in 2007. This went along with an 11-4 record and a 3.22 ERA and 1 shutout. Radhames was brought directly up to the Orioles where he struggled a little, going 0-2 with a 6.93 ERA. He did maintain his power, racking up 24 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched. Look for Radhames to adjust to MLB hitting, and regain the form and statistics he accumulated in the Eastern League.

Mike Costanzo

Mike, a 2nd round draft pick of the Phillies in 2005, played third base for the Reading Phillies of the Double-A Eastern League in 2007. The 24 year-old batted .270 with 27 homers and 87 RBI in 508 at-bats. Although there is room for improvement in the batting average, the power is most certainly there. Mike was an EAS mid-season All-Star in 2007 and is currently playing with the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.

Monthly Value Tracker

Each month we'll take a look at a card, and compare its value from month to month, as determined by the official Beckett Baseball price guide. This month we'll track the Tim Lincecum rookie card from Upper Deck 2007 (#918.)

Beckett Baseball currently has this card pegged at a value of $30 in mint condition and a value of $12.50 in near mint condition. Since the Giants didn't make the playoffs, it will be interesting to see if there is any movement on the value of this card from this month to next.

Joba Cards

As Joba Chamberlain begins his ascendancy to stardom on the MLB scene (Canadian Soldier bug incident in Cleveland notwithstanding,) let's take a look at some of his baseball cards that may appreciate in value along with Joba.

The 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects Autograph card. Very nice card. Pictures Joba in his Yankee uniform, glove on his left hand, baseball in his right. It has Joba's signature in blue across the bottom of the card. Beckett baseball recently listed this card number one on is "Hot List" with a price range of $175 - $250. It may be difficult to imagine, but this card very well might even increase in value from it's already steep price range.

The 2007 Finest Rookie Redemption Autograph Exchange. This light colored rookie card, with an action shot of Joba delivering the ball, and his autograph in blue ink across a hologram is an exquisite card. It would be a real fine addition for any Yankee collector. Beckett baseball currently lists this card as number 7 on its "Hot List." It is showing an estimated value of $90 - $150. Not as high a value range as the Bowman Chrome Prospects Autograph card, but just as nice, if not nicer, a card.

Finally, the 2006 TRISTAR Prospects Plus Farm Hands Autographs card of Joba Chamberlain is currently trading in the $50 - $100 range. It features a picture of Joba's face (looks to be in the throwing motion,) on the left side of the card with his signature in blue ink across the middle. There is quite a bit of open white space on this card. It remains a highly sought after card and a prospect for increase in value.