1995 Team Issue Asheville Tourists Update Set

The Asheville Tourists minor league baseball club became the "A" league affiliate of the Colorado Rockies back in 1994, and has maintained the position ever since. The Tourists released a set of 30 cards early on in the 1995 season, featuring players and staff members that were current at the time. An update to that set would be released a few months later, adding another fifteen cards to the mix. 

With an announced print run of just 1,000 sets, this update issue is fairly tough to find. Sets were factory-wrapped in clear, graphics-free cello. Young prospect Todd Helton was the card found on the front of the pack, with slugger Derrick Gibson appearing on the back. As it would turn out, Helton and Gibson would be the only two players from the update set to make it to the majors.

The cards from the update issue are virtually indistinguishable from those found within the regular 30-card set. The cards are numbered on the backs based on the player's uniform number, meaning several cards share a number between both sets. Printed on white, medium-weight cardstock, fronts feature a large color photo and and orange border. Nowhere is the printer of the cards mentioned.

Todd Helton is the primary reason for the value of the set today, which is in the $15 to $20 range; the 1,000 set run doesn't hurt the value either. One reason the set isn't worth more, however, is because of two earlier Team USA cards of Helton found in the 1993 Topps Traded set and 1993 Bazooka Team USA set.

Random Fact: Outfielder Derrick Gibson appears in both the '95 Asheville regular and update sets. He led all of Minor League Baseball in 1994 with 115 RBI, and tied the league lead with 32 home runs. His time in the majors  would be short, however, appearing in just seven games for the Rockies in 1998, and ten games in 1999. Gibson's final season in baseball was in 2006, with New Haven County of the independent Canadian-American Association.

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 (NNO) Team Photo

(7) Mike Vavrek, LHP

(8) Brian Rose, RHP

(9) Todd Helton, INF

(13) Chris Henderson, RHP

(16) Bill Eden, LHP

(18) Fred Ocasio, INF

(20) Mike Zolecki, RHP

(21) Pat McClinton, LHP

(26) Tal Light, INF

(27) John Meskauskas, C

(28) John Slamka, LHP

(30) Mark Wells, OF

(31) Keith Barnes, LHP

(34) Derrick Gibson, OF

2011 DAV Cedar Rapids Kernels Set

Let's be clear about one thing... This set is ruled by a king boss, and his name is Mike Trout.

The DAV (Disabled American Veterans) organization began sponsoring stadium giveaway sets some time in the early 2000s. While the DAV cards given away at Major League parks typically feature current Major League players, the sets given away at Minor League parks usually feature current MiLB players in their Minors unis. In the case of the 2011 Cedar Rapids set, we are presented with a "hybrid" issue, as this set of fifteen cards showcases Kernels alumni who went on to play at the Major League level. Each player is pictured as a Kernel during their time with the A-level club.

The Kernels have been an Angels affiliate since 1993, the year after the Reds organization left town. Over the past 20 or so years an impressive number of future Major League All-Stars have worn the Kernels uniform, as this set attests. Mike Trout is doubtlessly the greatest Kernel player to date, and might even be the reason that an alumni-style set was chosen (he played for the club briefly in 2009, and in 81 games in 2010). On a side note, Trout was also featured in the 2010 DAV Kernels set as an active player. 

Card fronts are colorful and unique, which has been a trademark look for most DAV sets over the years. All card backs in the set are similar, with no specific details relating to the players pictured on the fronts. Each is numbered between 80 and 94, as the cards are sequentially numbered with the other Minor League sets released by the DAV that season.

The Minor League DAV sets always have modest print runs. This 2011 Kernels set was given out on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day) at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Only 1,000 sets were printed, making this a fairly scarce prize for collectors of Trout, Kendrick, Aybar and company. Sets were originally packaged in sealed, clear plastic cello bags.

The quality controls on this release were pretty high, as the cards tend to be clean and well-centered. One pesky problem is the colored borders, which make gem mint copies of these cards virtually impossible to find even straight out of the factory cello bags (thanks to even the slightest of wear on the corners and edges). A fresh, undisturbed set is probably worth in the neighborhood of $50 or so.

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80. Mike Trout, OF

81. Casey Kotchman, INF

82. Ervin Santana, P

83. Howie Kendrick, INF

84. Erick Aybar, INF

85. Bengie Molina, C

86. Jeff Mathis, C

87. Mike Napoli, C

88. Alberto Callaspo, INF

89. Alexi Casilla, INF

90. John Lackey, P

91. Jordan Walden, P

92. Bobby Jenks, P

93. Hank Conger, C

94. Mark Trumbo, INF

2001 Grandstand Southern League Top Prospects Set

Prospect sets are fun. Lots of fun.

Dozens upon dozens of Minor League Baseball prospects sets have been created over the years, and they always provide years of entertainment, as the players pictured thread their way at varying speeds though the uncertain maze towards the Majors.

The 2001 Southern League Top Prospects set, produced by Grandstand, is one typical example. Consisting of thirty player cards and a header, borderless photos and a glossy surface help to give card fronts a slick new-millennium appeal. Backs are printed in black and give player statistics for the 2000 season, as well as Minor League totals. Surprisingly, the cards are not numbered except for player uniform numbers.

Being an AA league, a large percentage of these prospects saw time in the Majors. As always, some of the players "missed it by that much," while others went on to enjoy All-Star seasons (Josh Hamilton, Adam Dunn, Carl Crawford and Felipe Lopez each received the latter recognition). 

The volatile up and down price fluctuations of Minor League cards are very similar to those of the rookie cards released in mainstream major League sets. Fickle collectors and speculators are constantly shifting their focus to the "hot" on-field performers of the moment. In the case of older prospect sets such as this, history has already run it's course and the prices always stabilize -- usually at a very reasonable price if no superstars or Hall of Fame-caliber players are found within. 

We'd estimate the current market value of this set in the $10 to $15 range, and think it's a great addition to any baseball fan's collection.

Click here to find 2001 Southern League Cards

(1) Cory Aldridge, Greenville Braves

(2) Luke Allen, Jacksonville Suns

(3) Josh Bard, Carolina Mudcats

(4) Joe Borchard, Birmingham Barons

(5) Mike Bynum, Mobile BayBears

(6) Pasqual Coco, Tennessee Smokies

(7) Carl Crawford, Orlando Rays

(8) Bubba Crosby, Jacksonville Suns

(9) Juan Cruz, West Tenn Diamond Jaxx

(10) Adam Dunn, Chattanooga Lookouts

(11) Cam Esslinger, Carolina Mudcats

(12) Kris Foster, Jacksonville Suns

(13) Jose Garcia, Huntsville Stars

(14) Josh Hamilton, Orlando Rays

(15) Bobby Hill, West Tenn Diamond Jaxx

(16) Tim Hummel, Birmingham Barons

(17) Josh Kalinowski, Carolina Mudcats

(18) Austin Kearns, Chattanooga Lookouts

(19) David Kelton, West Tenn Diamond Jaxx

(20) Joe Kennedy, Orlando Rays

(21) Felipe Lopez, Tennessee Smokies

(22) Aaron McNeal, Mobile BayBears

(23) Jason Middlebrook, Mobile BayBears

(24) Brian Moon, Huntsville Stars

(25) Nick Neugebauer, Huntsville Stars

(26) Josh Phelps, Tennessee Smokies

(27) Brian Reith, Chattanooga Lookouts

(28) Billy Sylvester, Greenville Braves

(29) Dan Wright, Birmingham Barons

(30) A.J. Zapp, Greenville Braves

(31) Header Card/Checklist

1988 Procards AAA All-Star Game Set

The 1988 AAA All-Star game was played in Buffalo, New York on July 13, and this nifty set of 55 cards was on site in time for the event. That's right, these sets were available right at the ballpark the day of the game. Featuring player statistics that were current through June 28 of that same year, the information given on card backs was just over two weeks old from the day of the game -- something that was quite a feat for any card maker in 1988. Only three players who participated in the game are missing from the set, as they were late replacements and not added to the rosters until just a few days beforehand.

The set was printed on thin, white cardstock and features glossy fronts. Large color photos across the fronts are flanked by dark blue borders and a large All-Star Game logo at the bottom left. Short player bios and hitting/pitching stats are found across the backs, which are numbered AAA-1 through AAA-54. A header/checklist card is included in the set, but is not numbered.

Several promising youngsters were featured in the set, and most of the players would go on to spend at least a short time in the Majors. The biggest name by far (at the time) was Tidewater infielder Greg Jefferies, who would go on to have a productive fourteen year career in the bigs, but didn't really hold up to the superstar tag he was given early on. Iowa outfielder Dwight Smith would go on to place second in the 1989 NL Rookie of the Year race, just behind fellow Cubs teammate Jerome Walton. Rochester outfielder Steve Finley is perhaps the most underrated player in the set, as he went on to play an incredible nineteen seasons in the bigs. Finley collected 2,548 hits during that time, and also clubbed 304 homers, smacked in 1,167 RBIs and stole an impressive 320 bases. Sandy Alomar, Mike Bielecki, Joey Cora and Mike Devereaux are four other players who enjoyed productive careers at the major League level.

In a nutshell, the 1988 Procards AAA All-Star set features several solid names that would impact Major League Baseball throughout the 1990s and beyond. The design is good, the photos are okay and the overall effort is ambitious. A complete set still sealed in plastic should cost a collector no more than five dollars today.

Click here to find Procards AAA Sets on eBay

AAA-1  Mike Devereaux, Albuquerque

AAA-2  Chris Gwynn, Albuquerque

AAA-3  Tracy Woodson, Albuquerque

AAA-4  Benny Distefano, Buffalo

AAA-5  Tom Prince, Buffalo

AAA-6  Eddie Jurak, Tacoma

AAA-7  Phil Ouellette, Calgary

AAA-8  Luis Medina, Colorado Springs

AAA-9  Bob Geren, Columbus

AAA-10  Mike Kinnunen, Columbus

AAA-11  Scott Nielsen, Columbus

AAA-12  Lavell Freeman, Denver

AAA-13  Tim Pyznarski, Denver

AAA-14  German Rivera, Denver

AAA-15  Urbano Lugo, Edmonton

AAA-16  Bill Bathe, Iowa

AAA-17  Bob Sebra, Indianapolis

AAA-18  Mike Bielecki, Iowa

AAA-19  Dwight Smith, Iowa

AAA-20  Sandy Alomar, Las Vegas

AAA-21  Mike Brumley, Las Vegas

AAA-22  Joey Cora, Las Vegas

AAA-23  Greg Harris, Las Vegas

AAA-24  Dick Grapenthin, Louisville

AAA-25  Mike Shelton, Maine

AAA-26  Marty Brown, Nashville

AAA-27  Hugh Kemp, Nashville

AAA-28  Tom O'Malley, Oklahoma City

AAA-29  Steve Finley, Rochester

AAA-30  Luis de los Santos, Omaha

AAA-31  Steve Curry, Pawtucket

AAA-32  Tony Perezchica, Phoenix

AAA-33  Roy Smith, Portland

AAA-34  Joe Boever, Richmond

AAA-35  Bob Milacki, Rochester

AAA-36  Geronimo Berroa, Syracuse

AAA-37  Eric Yelding, Syracuse

AAA-38  Lance Blankenship, Tacoma

AAA-39  Mark Carreon, Tidewater

AAA-40  Gregg Jefferies, Tidewater

AAA-41  David West, Tidewater

AAA-42  Mark Huismann, Toledo

AAA-43  Rey Palacios, Toledo

AAA-44  Cameron Drew, Tucson

AAA-45  Donn Pall, Vancouver

AAA-46  Sap Randall, Vancouver

AAA-47  Terry Collins, Albuquerque (Manager)

AAA-48  Carlos Ledezma, Buffalo (Trainer)

AAA-49  Bill Plummer, Calgary (Coach)

AAA-50  Joe Sparks, Indianapolis (Coach)

AAA-51  Toby Harrah, Oklahoma City (Coach)

AAA-52  Ed Nottle, Pawtucket (Manager)

AAA-53  Randy Holland, Syracuse (Trainer)

AAA-54  Mike Cubbage, Tidewater (Coach)

(NNO)  Header Card/Checklist