Hobby Musings: Lance Fischer, Onyx Authenticated
Lance Fischer’s Onyx Authenticated continues year in and year out to bring collectors the top names in prospect ink. In recent years, the company has also changed things up and offered collectors different items to chase, such as HOF autographs and even vintage cards. I had the chance to catch up with Fischer to discuss the recent happenings with the company and what’s in store for 2025.
KS: Lance, I’ll start off with this. What does Onyx have in store for 2025?
LF: With our new minor league trading card partnership with the MLBPA, we plan on bringing collectors a much wider checklist in the future! We will also be conducting our second annual Spring Training event in partnership with eBay and other streaming platforms this March. Exciting stuff!
KS: You’ve made your reputation primarily on prospect autographs and have been consistent with what you’ve put out. That being said, you recently put out a new product, Rips, which mixed things up a bit with cut signatures of some of baseball’s greats. What drove you to release this product in that configuration?
LF: We wanted to add more of a “chase” aspect to the product. Outside of providing top prospect and future all-star autographs, we brought a unique aspect to some really cool significant dated autographs (Ken Griffey Jr’s first MLB Game, Willie Mays HOF induction date and much more).
LF: I think Charlie Condon bounces back in a big way from a slow Minor League season from last year. Look out for the Dodgers Chase Harlan. This kid has the mentality of a future star. I had a great conversation with him this past fall and really like where his head is at.
KS: This is part of the homer in me, but Paul Skenes took the baseball world by storm in his rookie season. How do you think the demand for him compares with other recent hot baseball prospects?
LF: The demand for Paul is insane currently and for good reason! He reminds me a bunch of Randy Johnson and I haven’t seen this kind of demand for a pitcher since Stephen Strasburg. If Paul stays healthy, no doubt he is a future Hall of Famer.
KS: You also recently released 2024 Onyx Vintage Football. Who are some of the big prospects collectors should be looking for in there?
LF: Bryce Underwood is probably the biggest name future investment wise. Cam Ward who has the potential going #1 in the NFL Draft is also a big name.
KS: How do you think doing baseball products compares and contrasts with football?
LF: Baseball is actually a little easier, players get autographs done much sooner and easier than the football guys.
KS: As we sit here in early 2025, what do you think is the biggest challenge you’re facing in producing product?
LF: Just managing the cost of player autographs in order to keep the consumer price point competitive. Our take is always keeping our products affordable and adding value to the collector.
KS: I’ll get you out of here on this. We’re still months away from the National in Chicago, but the last few times it was there, you threw a heck of a party. Will we be seeing that again this year?
LF: We do have plans for 2025!
Hobby Musings: Lance Fischer, Onyx Authenticated
Kelsey’s ability to bring hobby coverage to the mainstream sports fan has been a true asset. GTS is happy to feature his thoughts on collecting in Hobby Musings. The opinions expressed are his and do not necessarily reflect those of GTS Distribution.
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