Swing selection – Fastballs

You can’t hit a home run without swinging. Swing is so important for a batter and choosing a right pitch to swing is indeed necessary. Thus, swing selection is a key lesson for a batter.

My best pull -- Nolan Arenado

I bought some packs of Topps Update 2019 last year. When I opened a pack of them, I saw a thick card and I thought it was probably a manufactured patch card. I carefully checked every card in the pack and tried to find a cool rookie card or maybe a short print card. Then, I saw a star on the card and I was so overwhelmed. A Nolan Arenado All-Star stitches autograph, what a great card. I couldn’t believe it.

On All-Star roster

Topps update usually highlights the All-Star game, well it was still the case in the 2020 Topps update, however, there wasn’t an All-Star game in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemics. So the series highlights the past All-Star games. And I was thinking of the All-Star selections last decade.

Pitch usage in 2020

Pitchers and catchers have already reported to spring training ballparks. So we are getting closer to the 2021 season. Top arms such as Trevor Bauer, James Paxton and Liam Hendriks are going to a different park this year since they each agreed to a deal with a new team. At the same time, Masahiro Tanaka already began his spring training in Japan because he returned to Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. With several pitchers signing a new deal with a different organization, each team will surely have different ideas on using pitchers on the mound.

Acuna 40-40 in 2021?

Topps chrome update is a chromium version of Topps update series. 2020 Topps chrome update arrived in January 2021, which was quite late, but it still arrived. You can find autograph cards, however, it’s really hard. I bought some packs this year, trying to find some cool rookie cards or refractor cards.

2007 Team USA, IBAF Baseball World Cup winner

Recently, I listened to a podcast show. 2-time All-Star Chris Perez was interviewed and I was thinking of a team that he pitched before, 2007 Team USA, a team that won the 2007 IBAF Baseball World Cup title.

Minor League Baseball game

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball had a shortened season last year and Minor League Baseball cancelled the 2020 season. It was truly a disaster for baseball, minor league teams, MLB teams and players, in particular, prospects missed 1-year development. Meanwhile, fans lost opportunities to enjoy watching minor league baseball games.

The first-rounders that left

Jameson Taillon was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft. He was the 2nd overall pick (after Bryce Harper and in front of Manny Machado). The second overall pick truly indicated that the Pirates expected him to be an elite player. Taillon is currently rehabbing from his Tommy John surgery. He didn’t pitch any games in the 2020 season, but is expected to be ready for spring training. During these years, Taillon is not the only first-rounder that was traded by the Pirates.

Top shortstops in the National League

When Francisco Lindor was traded to the New York Mets, that indicates a great shortstop is going to make an instant impact in the National League. With other great shortstops such as Trevor Story, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Trea Turner in the National League already, these great shortstops really make me think of the Mid-‘90s, there were several top shortstops in the American League such as Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Cal Ripken Jr. and Alex Rodriguez.

All-Star Rookies

One cool thing about collecting baseball cards is to collect rookie cards. I was classifying some old baseball cards and found some All-Star rookie cards. I found three interesting Topps All-Star rookie cards and an Upper Deck star rookie card.

White Sox Bullpen, upgraded?

Topps heritage high number 2020 provides updates of the heritage series. Normally, Topps heritage high number is released in the summer. However, due to Covid-19 pandemic, most sports cards were delayed last year and Topps heritage high number 2020 was released at the end of 2020. So collectors who like the throwback design did wait for a while.

Cy Young winners and MVPs are still available

 

The first month of 2021 is gone. According to the schedule, pitchers and catchers will have reported in mid February and players will have reported in less than three weeks. And at the end of February, we shall be able to watch spring training games. However, there are several players who are still available on the market.