Scouting the Rookies of the 2015 MLB National League Wild Card – Tomorrow divisional rivals, the Chicago Cubs (97-65) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (98-64) face-off in an eagerly anticipated showdown. Pitchers Jake Arietta (22-6) will take the bump for the Northsiders while, once highly-touted prospect, Gerrit Cole (19-8) will get the start for the Bucs. The winner will face another division rival in the St. Louis Cardinals starting this coming Friday.
Here is a look at some of the higher profile rookies, on each of the teams playing in the N.L. Wild Card, along with their key 2015 autographed baseball cards. You can read our A.L. report from yesterday, here.
Scouting the Rookies of the 2015 MLB National League Wild Card – Chicago Cubs
Kyle Schwarber – Catcher
Schwarber was a first round pick (4th overall) by the Cubs in the 2014 MLB Draft. He made his big league debut on June 16th of this year after being fast-tracked through the organization’s farm system. He’s still a little raw at the plate hitting just .246 with 77 strikeouts in 232 at bats. However, his power and run productivity is undeniable with 16 home runs, 43 RBI and 52 runs scored.
Key 2015 Autograph/Memorabilia Cards: Bowman Chrome Autographs – Base, Refractors, Farm’s Finest Mini, Prime Positions, Immaculate Baseball – Prime Memorabilia, Patch Autographs
Addison Russell – 2nd Base
Russell was the key player the Cubs received in return for the trade that sent pitchers Jason Hammels and Jeff Samardzija to the Oakland Athletics last July. Russell was a former first round draft pick (11th overall) by the A’s in 2011. He made his major league debut on April 21st. In 475 at-bats, he is hitting .242 with 13 home runs, 54 RBI and 60 runs scored.
Key 2015 Autograph/Memorabilia Cards: Topps Archives, Bowman Chrome – Die Cut Series Next, Immaculate Baseball – Patch Autos, Logo Patches
Kris Bryant – 3rd Base
For beleaguered Cubs fans, the long awaited and highly anticipated debut finally came on April 17th of this year. Bryant was the 2nd overall pick in the 2013 MBL Draft and collectors and fans had been chomping at the bit for him to break into the roster. The leading candidate for N.L. Rookie of the Year, he finished the regular season with 26 home runs, 99 RBI, 87 runs scored and a batting average of .275.
Key 2015 Autograph/Memorabilia Cards: Bowman Inception, Immaculate Baseball
Scouting the Rookies of the 2015 MLB National League Wild Card – Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have no rookie starters, although they do have several young stars including 2014 rookie, Gregory Polanco. The club made two September call-ups to round out there bench and utility players with catcher Elias Diaz and outfielder Keon Bruxton. Neither of these players have officially licensed MLB trading cards as of yet.
2015 baseball cards of Gregory Polanco, that aren’t super-rare, and are performing well on the secondary market are his Topps Museum Collection Jersey Autograph and his Immaculate Baseball INK Autograph.
- 2024 Fyre Ballgame Relics - April 25, 2024
- 2023-24 Panini Select NBA Basketball Cards Checklist - April 25, 2024
- 2024 Topps Series 2 Baseball Cards RETAIL - April 24, 2024