Cards & Categories

In our 48th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by selecting our All-Star ballots before analyzing the impacts of J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Tucker's injuries. Then we overview the newest flagship release, 2024 Topps Series 2, which hit shelves everywhere on June 12.

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• 2024 MLB All-Star Ballot (sans Martin Maldonado, sadly)
• J.T. Realmuto undergoes meniscus surgery
• Kyle Tucker placed on IL with bone bruise
• Adael Amador joins Rockies as Brendan Rodgers hits IL
• Drew Thorpe makes his MLB debut
• Hurston Waldrep debuts for Atlanta
• Cavan Biggio added to the Dodgers roster

Upcoming baseball card release schedule:

• 6/10: Topps Dynamic Duos
• 6/12: Topps Series 2
• 7/3: Donruss
• 7/3: Topps Tier One
• 7/19: Panini Boys of Summer
• 8/28: Panini Prizm

Cards Discussion (1:09)

2024 Topps Series 2 

• Product overview and checklist
• Product breakdown from Topps
• Jackson Holliday FF SP information
• Holliday variations
• Example of CJ Stroud card missing auto sticker

In our 47th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on the latest moves and news including Spencer Torkelson and Reid Detmers' journeys to Triple-A. Then we select cards to enter the Player of the Month (POTM) PC pantheon from May.

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Rob Mains' The Month That Was article on BP
• Yu Darvish (groin) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) both placed on the IL
• Blake Snell hitting IL again with groin strain
• Clarke Schmidt dealing with oblique strain, out 4-6 weeks
• John Means and Tyler Wells slated for UCL procedures
• Jordan Romano felled with balky elbow, Yimi Garcia to close in interim
• Connor Norby promoted in Baltimore
• Spencer Torkelson sent to Triple-A, Justyn-Henry Malloy called up
• Reid Detmers optioned to the minors
• Royce Lewis returns from IL, Edouard Julien optioned

Upcoming baseball card release schedule:

• 6/5: 2024 Bowman Sapphire
• 6/12: Topps Series 2
• 6/12: Donruss

Cards Discussion (38:12)

May POTM PC (link to POTM award winners)

• Aaron Judge
  • J: 2023 Topps Tier One Autographed Bat Knob relic 1/1 (link)
  • M: 2022 Stadium Club #161 Chrome Refractor (link)
• Bryce Harper
  • J: 2012 Topps #661 Base (Screaming) (link)
  • M: 2023 Topps Now #992 Stare Down SP (link) 
• Luis Gil
  • J: 2022 National Treasures RPA /25 (link)
  • M: 2022 Topps Inception RPA 1/1 (link) 
• Chris Sale
  • J: 2011 Topps Chrome Rookie Auto Black Refractor (link) 
  • M: 2024 Topps Big League #57 black foil /25 (link) 
• Joey Ortiz
  • J: 2024 Topps Now #122 (link)
  • M: 2023 Topps Update #US126 Skeleton foil /50 (link) 

In our 46th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on the latest moves and news including injuries to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Xander Bogaerts along with the Angel Hernandez's retirement and the inclusion of Negro Leagues stats in the MLB record book. Then we discuss minor leaguers that we are burning a reserve roster spot on to stash in on our fantasy teams.

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Ronald Acuna tears left ACL, opening playing time for Jarred Kelenic and Adam Duvall
• Xander Bogaerts out for rest of season with shoulder fracture
• Evan Carter placed on IL, Wyatt Langford and Nathan Eovaldi return
• Cristian Javier shelved with forearm strain, Jose Abreu returns, Joey Loperfido sent to Triple-A
• Loperfido to work on 1B skills in Sugar Land
• Angel Hernandez retires
• Negro Leagues statistics officially enter the MLB records
  • Resources on Negro Leagues mentioned:
    • Shakeia Taylor's piece at BP
    • Bob Kendrick's Black Diamonds podcast
    • Vanessa Ivy Rose's Reclaimed: The Forgotten League podcast
    • Only the Ball Was White by Robert Peterson

Upcoming baseball card release schedule:

• 5/28: 2024 Bowman Sapphire
• 6/12: Topps Series 2
• 6/12: Donruss

Categories Discussion (37:00)

Players discussed:

STASH:

• Immediate Top 100 Bats (James Wood, Jackson Holliday, Junior Caminero, Coby Mayo)
  • Caminero's injury details
  • Wood's injury details
  • Mayo's injury details
• Cade Povich
• Tyler Black
• Hurston Waldrep (also discussed Spencer Schwellenbach's chances of sticking with Atlanta)
• Jordan Walker
• David Festa
• Jackson Jobe
• Drew Thorpe

AVOID:

• Shane Baz
• Jordan Lawlar
• Orelvis Martinez

In our 45th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on the latest moves and news including new injuries plus Edwin Diaz's demotion from the Mets closer role. Then we discuss the biggest movers (good and bad) in Jeremy's most recent rendition of the Top 100 Hitters.

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Zach Eflin lands on the IL with a back issue
• Max Muncy hits IL with oblique injury, Miguel Vargas called up, James Outman sent to Triple-A
• Garrett Whitlock dealing with damage to UCL in right elbow
• Edwin Diaz demoted from closer's role, Mets saves situation is "fluid" ... Reed Garrett time?
• Eloy Jimenez injured again

Upcoming baseball card release schedule:

• 5/17: 2024 Topps Archives Signature Series Baseball – Retired Edition (checklist and overview)
• 5/22: 2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary (checklist and overview)
• 6/12: Topps Series 2
• 6/12: Donruss

Categories Discussion (29:35)

Link to Jeremy's most recent Top 100 Hitters

Players discussed:

RISERS

• Brent Rooker
• Christian Yelich
• Ryan Jeffers
• Jurickson Profar
• Anthony Volpe

FALLERS

• Justin Turner
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Josh Lowe

In our 44th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on the new Statcast bat tracking metrics (Batcast?) before discussing the latest moves and news including new injuries plus prospect debuts. Then we analyze highly rostered hitters that have been dreadful to start the season. Is it time to move on from them?

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Statcast's new bat tracking metrics
• Effectively Wild pod episode with Mike Petriello 
• Dansby Swanson shelved with sprained knee
• Ke'Bryan Hayes lands on IL with back issue
• Nick Lodolo hits IL with left groin injury
• Rhys Hoskins out 2-4 weeks with strain hamstring
• Jung Hoo Lee suffers significant shoulder injury, Heliot Ramos and Luis Matos get see plenty of time in Giants outfield
• Ronel Blanco ejected for sticky stuff, to serve 10 game suspension
• Paul Skenes' debut highlights
• Robert Gasser called up for major league debut

Upcoming baseball card release schedule:

• 5/17: 2024 Topps Archives Signature Series Baseball – Retired Edition
• 5/22: 2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary
• 6/12: Topps Series 2
• 6/12: Donruss

Categories Discussion (46:20)

Possibly cuttable hitters discussed:

• Julio Rodriguez
• Corbin Carroll
• Bo Bichette
• Paul Goldschmidt
• Nolan Jones
• Xander Bogaerts
• Carlos Correa
• Jake Burger
• Gleyber Torres
• George Springer
• Spencer Torkelson
• Ian Happ
• Nick Castellanos
• Colton Cowser

In our 43rd episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on the dreadful Cardinals season before discussing the latest moves and news including significant injuries plus prospect debuts. Then we select our first cards to enter the pantheon of the Player of the Month (POTM) PC, a new monthly segment we are launching.

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Willson Contreras suffers fractured forearm, out until All-Star Break
• Trea Turner out around six weeks due to strained hamstring
• Luis Arraez traded to the Padres, opening opportunity for Vidal Brujan in Miami
• Steven Kwan shelved with hamstring strain, Kyle Manzardo called up
• Wyatt Langford also strains hammy, out three to four weeks
• Ryan Pepiot placed on IL, Taj Bradley activated
• Joe Musgrove lands on IL with right elbow inflammation
• Paul Skenes set to make his major league debut this Saturday
• Christian Scott debuts for the Mets
• Dylan Crews Bowman non-auto superfractor pulled
• Various Bowman Firsts 1/150 blue refractors will have "My 1st Bowman Auto" inscriptions

Upcoming baseball card release schedule:

• 5/8: Bowman
• 5/22: 2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary
• 6/12: Topps Series 2

Cards Discussion (47:00)

April POTM PC

• List of April 2024 Players of the Month
• Mookie Betts
  • J: 2014 Topps Update #US-26 Red Hot Foil
  • M: 2020 Topps Series 2 #420 SSSP
• Gunnar Henderson
  • J: 2019 Bowman Draft #CDA-GH Auto
  • M: 2019 Bowman Draft Chrome Sapphire #BDC-22 Orange 
• Ranger Suarez
  • J: 2022 Topps Now Game Used Ball Relic Red
  • M: 2019 Topps Chrome Sapphire #303
• Jose Berrios
  • J: 2024 Topps Series 1 #272 Team Color Variation 
  • M: 2016 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autographs #BCAR-JBE Refractor
• Shota Imanaga
  • J: 2016 BBM Genesis Autograph Ball
  • M: 2024 Topps Now #27 Blue Parallel
• Colton Cowser
  • J: 2024 Topps Series 1 #257 Golden Mirror SSP
  • M: 2024 Topps Series 1 1989 35th Anniversary Auto Black #89BA-CC

In our 42nd episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with banter on some of the newest "mascots" entering MLB lore before discussing the latest moves and news including significant injuries plus prospect (and Tommy Pham) call-ups. Then we overview the release of 2024 Bowman, hitting shelves on May 8.

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Link to Topps Now cards featuring the Arizona Beekeeper
• Topps announces that redemptions will be good for 10 years
• Article on the Twins summer sausage
• Rays City Connect uniforms, including the skateboarding Ray
• Mike Trout suffers torn meniscus, Jo Adell SZN continues unimpeded
• Cody Bellinger fractures ribs, Pete Crow-Armstrong called up
• Triston Casas' ribcage will keep him out for awhile, Red Sox lineup scrambling
• Grayson Rodriguez shelved with shoulder issue, John Means activated
• Blake Snell placed on IL with abductor issue
• Jesus Luzardo hits IL with strained flexor
• Masataka Yoshida placed on IL with hand injury
• Zack Gelof out with strained oblique
• Jackson Holliday demoted
• Heston Kjerstad promoted
• Jordan Walker sent to Triple-A
• Jose Abreu demoted to spring training complex, Joey Loperfido arrives
• Tommy Pham joins big league club
• Tyler Black promoted in Milwaukee
• Jordan Beck receives the call in Colorado
• Addison Barger and his girthy quads receive call-up

Cards Discussion

Upcoming baseball card release schedule:

• 5/1: Topps Heritage Mini
• 5/8: Bowman
• 5/22: 2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary
• 6/12: Topps Series 2

2024 Bowman Preview

• Checklist and overview of the set
• Checklist of all Bowman First cards
• Players highlighted:
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto
  • Jung Hoo Lee
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong
  • Jordan Lawlar
  • Dylan Crews
  • Brock Wilken
  • George Lombard Jr.
  • Walker Jenkins
  • Aidan Miller
  • Arjun Nimmala
  • Kyle Teel

In our 41st episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with discussion of the latest moves and news including significant injuries affecting Francisco Alvarez and Triston Casas. Then we overview players with some of the hottest cards right now in the market to determine whether to sell them now or possibly hold.

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Francisco Alvarez tears thumb UCL, undergoes surgery
• Triston Casas felled with broken rib
• Pete Fairbanks succumbs to nerve injury
• Merrill Kelly hits IL with a shoulder injury
• DL Hall and Wade Miley both shelved (Hall) (Miley)
• Robert Gasser making his way back from elbow injury
• Cristian Javier down with neck injury, Spencer Arrighetti returns

Cards Discussion

We relied upon Sports Card Investor for market data to analyze.Players and cards discussed:

• Jackson Holliday
  • 2022 Bowman Draft #BD-168
• Colton Cowser
  • 2021 Bowman Draft #CDA-CC Auto
• Baltimore Orioles in general (Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson)
  • Gunnar Henderson 2019 Bowman Draft #BDC-22 chrome refractor
  • Billy Ripken 1989 Fleer #616 F*** Face Error
• Elly De La Cruz
  • 2022 Bowman #BCP-50 chrome mojo refractor
  • 2022 Bowman #BCP-50 chrome
• Michael Busch
  • 2019 Bowman Draft #CDA-MB Auto
• Blaze Alexander
  • 2019 Bowman #CPA-BA auto
• Jackson Chourio and Jaison Chourio
  • Jackson Chourio 2022 Bowman #BCP-79 chrome
  • Jaison Chourio 2022 Bowman Chrome #CPA-JCO auto
• Mike Trout
  • 2011 Topps Update #US175
• Ivan Herrera
  • 2020 Bowman Chrome #CPA-IH auto
• Casey Mize
  • 2018 Bowman Draft #BDC-1 chrome

In our 40th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with discussion of the latest moves and news including call ups for Andy Pages and Jonathan Clase plus another avalanche of new injuries. Then we analyze hot starts from Triple-A and Double-A bats that are changing our fantasy outlooks for some blue chip prospects plus a few under the radar.

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Andy Pages called up to the big leagues
• Jonathan Clase joins the Mariners
• Jack Leiter set to make MLB debut
• Landon Knack steps into Dodgers rotation
• Nick Nastrini debuts for the White Sox
• Blue Jays call upon Yariel Rodriguez
• Tommy Pham joins the White Sox on a minor league deal
• Spencer Strider undergoes UCL brace surgery, out for year
• Bobby Miller hits IL for shoulder injury
• Ozzie Albies breaks toe, placed on IL
• Trevor Story suffers shoulder injury, out for year
• Carlos Correa strains oblique
• Brandon Lowe strains oblique
• Christian Yelich dealing with another back injury
• Seiya Suzuki strains right oblique
• Kris Bryant shelved for back injury, Sean Bouchard called up
• Jake Burger eaten up by oblique injury
• Yu Darvish placed on IL with neck injury
• Garrett Whitlock hits IL with oblique injury

Categories Discussion (1:09:28)

Players discussed for their hot starts:

• Joey Loperfido (HOU, OF)
• James Wood (WSN, OF)
• Miguel Vargas (LAD, 2B)
• Carson Williams (TBR, SS)
• Jordan Beck (COL, OF)
• Benny Montgomery (COL, OF)
• Moises Ballesteros (CHC, C)
• Agustin Ramirez (NYY, C)
• Nacho Alvarez (ATL, SS)
• Adrian Del Castillo (ARI, C)
• Jose Fermin (STL, 2B/3B)

In our 39th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open with discussion of the latest moves and news including Jackson Holliday's call-up and the mountain of new injuries. Then we overview the release of 2024 Topps Heritage, one of the most popular releases annually.

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17 and on bluesky at @mcouill7.bsky.social. Email the pod at [email protected].

We now have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Jackson Holliday called up to the big leagues
• Buster Olney's tweet about Holliday from 2013
• Spencer Strider has damaged UCL
• Shane Bieber slated for Tommy John surgery
• Eury Perez undergoes Tommy John surgery
• Elbow inflammation sidelines Framber Valdez
• Luis Robert Jr. out with hip flexor strain
• Sonny Gray looks sharp in first start with Cardinals
• Magic box from 2024 Topps Big League

Cards Discussion (59:44)

2024 Topps Heritage

• Set information and checklist
• Print run information:
  • Totals versus prior years
  • Total base cards and some variations
  • Additional variation print runs
• Errors noted in our discussion:
  • Whitey Herzog on the Red Schoendienst card
  • Photo of Disneyland on the Disney World card
  • White/black border parallels mislabeled 

Upcoming baseball card releases:

• 4/3: 2024 Topps Sterling
• 4/10: 2024 Topps Heritage
• 4/17: 2024 Topps Chrome Black
• 5/8: Bowman