With the expansion of the MLB rosters to 40 men, there will be several young players who are getting a chance to show their stuff in the bigs.  With that in mind, there will also be young player’s baseball cards which will increase in value as they prove that they can play with the best in the world.  Here are just a few of the recent call ups and some of their current baseball cards.

Matt Tuiasosopo

Yes, you’ve heard that name before.  His father and brother have both played in the NFL.  Matt has opted for another professional sport.  Matt, who is an infielder (currently a third baseman), was drafted 93rd overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2004 MLB draft.  He has been steadily moving through the Mariners farm system since he was drafted. 

In 2008 Matt Tuiasosopo played with the Tacoma Rainiers, the AAA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.  For the year, he batted .281 with a .364 OBP in 437 ABs.  He also came home 87 times, with 13 dingers and 73 RBI. 

Matt got his first big league start on September 5th, and with the Mariners well out of any kind of playoff contention, look for more playing time from him.  Here are some of his best current baseball cards.

2004 Donruss Elite Extra Auto Rookie Card

This is a nice serial numbered card with an autograph from Matt on the card.  This card can currently be had for about $20 in auctions.  If you can find it for around that price, you might want to think about picking it up.

2004 Just Minors Auto

Another nice autographed card of Matt’s.  This card can be had cheap.  We’re talking about $5 in online auctions.

Interestingly, he is listed as a shortstop in the card above. 

2004 Topps Traded Chrome Refractor Draft Pick

One more card, without an auto, to round out some of Matt’s top cards.  This card is attainable for most collectors with even a modest budget, and could prove to be valuable in the future.  You can’t go wrong with Topps Chrome.  Throw in a traded card and a refractor, and you have a gem.

Freddy Sandoval

Sandoval was called up from the AAA Pacific Coast League on September 8th, to the L.A. Angels.  Sandoval played most of 2008 with the AAA Salt Lake Bees, at third base, where he hit a strong .335 with a .514 SLG percentage.  He also had 15 dingers and 88 RBI.  With the Angels poised for a deep playoff run this year, look for Sandoval to get some playing time, either at third, DH or as a pinch hitter. 

At third, he has the speedy Chone Figgins ahead of him on the depth chart.  He may not play a lot at the hot corner this year, but keep an eye on him for 2009.  Here are some of his best cards.

2004 SP Prospects

Serial numbered to 400, this card recently sold, ungraded, for $17.  For a prospect card of a player with good stats on a winning team, serial numbered, and with an autograph, that’s not too shabby. 

2007 Bowman Draft Futures Jersey Patch

This is a real nice card, with a patch from Sandoval’s All-Star Futures game jersey.  This card will set you back about $20, but if he pans out to be a superstar, it would be a great card to be holding. 

Scott Lewis

Lewis, a 6′ lefty, was drafted in 2004 by the Cleveland Indians out of Ohio State.  After spending three years in single A ball, Lewis spent most of 2008 split between the AA Akron affiliate and the AAA Buffalo affiliate.  In four starts at the AAA level this year, he garnered two wins with a 2.63 ERA, and 21 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched. 

He was called up to the bigs on September 10th to start against the Orioles, and got the win with a nice outing, pitching eight innings with 0 earned runs and 3 Ks.  He followed that performance up on the 15th with another win, this time over Baltimore, again giving up no runs, with 5 Ks in 6 innings pitched. 

While the Tribe may not make the playoffs this year, look for Lewis to be a key contributor in their rotation in 2009.

2007 Bowman Chrome X-Fractor

Chrome X-Fractors are always nice cards, in my opinion, and this one is no different.  A card that can be had for several bucks, it’s a nice addition to any collection, not to mention a prospector’s. 

2004 SP Prospects Auto

Limited to 400 prints, this autographed card will certainly be a collector’s item if Lewis keeps pitching the way he has been.

These are just a few of the prospects who have been called up to the big leagues recently.  Keep your eye on them, and other names you may or may not recognize, to see how they perform at the highest level of baseball as the 2008 MLB season winds down.

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Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 @ 1:42 pm Baseball Cards General, Card Value, Investing, Prospects
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