Cards & Categories

In our eighteenth episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the Cubs hiring Craig Counsell while previewing the early offseason before briefly covering the release of Topps Archives. Then we analyze the MLB Trade Rumors' Top 10 free agents to evaluate the predicted landing spots while offering our best guesses and possible fantasy implications (29:22).

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

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• MLB offseason calendar
• Report on the Twins cutting payroll

Cards Discussion:

• 2023 Topps Archives checklist and details
• 2023 Topps Inception checklist and details
• 2023 Topps Inception pre-order
• 2023 Topps Japan Edition checklist and details

Upcoming baseball card releases:

• 11/8: Topps Archives
• 11/15: Topps Chrome Update
• 11/22: Topps Museum
• 12/6: Panini National Treasures
• 12/6: Topps Inception
• 12/16: Topps Japan Edition
• 5/8/24: Bowman

Categories Discussion:

• MLB Trade Rumors 2023-34 Top 50 Free Agents
• 2024 NFBC draft data (change filter to start on 10/1/23)
• Players analyzed and our signing team predictions:
  • Shohei Ohtani (Jeremy: LAD, Mike: NYY)
  • Cody Bellinger (Jeremy: NYY, Mike: ARI)
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Jeremy: SFG, Mike: CHC)
  • Blake Snell (Jeremy: NYM, Mike: SFG)
  • Aaron Nola (Jeremy: STL, Mike: STL)
  • Jordan Montgomery (Jeremy: CHC, Mike: STL)
  • Matt Chapman (Jeremy: SFG, Mike: TOR)
  • Josh Hader (Jeremy: BOS, Mike: TEX)
  • Sonny Gray (Jeremy: STL, Mike: BOS)
  • Shota Imanaga (Jeremy: LAD, Mike: NYM)

In our seventeenth episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by recapping the World Series to-date (recorded during Game 5) before theorizing how the offseason will unfold. Then we overview the release of 2023 Topps Holiday (22:00). Finally, we discuss six players in the Top 150 to avoid at current 2024 NFBC average draft prices (37:27).

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

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• MLB offseason calendar
• Report on Padres' payroll problems

Cards Discussion:

• 2023 Topps Holiday checklist and details
• List of 2023 Topps Holiday SP variations
• Example of a Holiday Faux Relic - 2023 Mrs. Claus

Upcoming baseball card releases:

• 11/3: Bowman Sterling
• 11/8: Topps Archives
• 11/15: Topps Chrome Update
• 11/22: Topps Museum
• 12/6: Panini National Treasures
• 5/8/24: Bowman

Categories Discussion:

• 2024 NFBC draft data (change filter to start on 10/1/23)
• Players analyzed:
  • Elly De La Cruz
  • Royce Lewis
  • Luis Castillo
  • Michael Harris II
  • Pete Fairbanks
  • Wyatt Langford
    • Grey's piece on Langford

In our sixteenth episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the culmination of the championship series, making our Tacofractor picks, and diving into the new Topps Costco packs. Then we overview the release of 2023 Topps Tier One (34:53). Finally, we discuss our "Picks to Click" for the World Series and preview players that we think could boost their fantasy values on the Fall Classic stage (51:22).

You can find us on twitter (X) at @cardscategories, @mcouill7, and @jbrewer17. Email the pod at [email protected] to things discussed in the pod:

• Topps Tacofractor promotion details
• Tweet on details/drama of Topps packs at Costco

Cards Discussion:

• 2023 Topps Tier One checklist and details
• 2019 Topps Tier One design - Shohei Ohtani example
• Bat knob relic example - 2022 Topps Tier One Mike Trout 1/1
• Link to purchase 2023 Topps Holiday mega boxes

Upcoming baseball card releases:

• 10/25: Topps Tier One
• 11/1: Panini Chronicles Baseball
• 11/2: Topps Holiday
• 11/3: Bowman Sterling
• 11/8: Topps Archives
• 11/15: Topps Chrome Update
• 11/22: Topps Museum
• 5/8/24: Bowman

Categories Discussion:

• Players analyzed:
  • Mitch Garver
  • Evan Carter
  • Nathan Eovaldi
  • Jordan Montgomery
  • Ketel Marte
  • Gabriel Moreno
  • Paul Sewald
  • Kevin Ginkel

In our fifteenth episode, we open by discussing the ALCS and NLCS, our love for Evan Carter, and the discovery of a triple superfractor from 2023 Bowman Chrome. Then we discuss the release of 2023 Topps Pro Debut and 2023 Topps Finest Flashbacks (28:40). Finally, we review some top performers from the Arizona Fall League (AFL) so far (50:54).

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

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Current MLB playoff bracket
• Third superfractor found from 2023 Bowman Chrome

Cards Discussion:

• 2023 Topps Pro Debut checklist and details
• 2023 Topps Finest Flashbacks checklist and details
  • Finest Flashbacks pricing through the years
• Link to purchase 2023 Topps Holiday mega boxes

Upcoming baseball card releases:

• 10/18: Topps Pro Debut
• 10/18: Topps Finest Flashbacks
• 10/18: Topps Gilded
• 10/25: Topps Tier One
• 11/1: Panini Chronicles Baseball
• 11/3: Bowman Sterling
• 11/8: Topps Archives

Categories Discussion:

• Arizona Fall League statistics
• Players analyzed:
  • Kyle Manzardo
  • Benny Montgomery
  • James Triantos
  • Chase DeLauter
  • Ricky Tiedemann
  • Jackson Jobe
  • Emiliano Teodo
    • Teodo's sinker

In our fourteenth episode, we open by discussing the latest happenings in the MLB playoffs as division series are starting to wrap up. Then we discuss the release of 2023 Topps Update along with a new series of problems plaguing Topps/Fanatics (21:50). Finally, we review some disappointing bats from Jeremy's preseason Top 100 Hitters to try and solve what went wrong (44:54).

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

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Current MLB playoff bracket

Cards Discussion:

• 2023 Topps Update checklist and details
• Reduced number of cards in 2023 Update hobby boxes
• Surprise Halloween parallels from retail boxes

Upcoming baseball card releases:

• 10/11: Topps Update
• 10/11: Panini Select
• 10/13: Leaf Exotic
• 10/18: Topps Pro Debut
• 10/18: Topps Tier One
• Topps Stadium Club - Jan 2024

Categories Discussion:

• Jeremy's original Top 100 Hitters
• Razzball year-end player rater for hitters
• Players analyzed:
  • Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
  • Cedric Mullins
  • Starling Marte
  • Tim Anderson
  • Andrew Vaughn
  • Mitch Haniger

In our thirteenth episode, we open by picking our MLB playoff brackets and talking about two recent card fiascos - duplicate Bowman Chrome Superfractors and Jackson Merrill's trashed Panini Immaculate cards. Then we discuss players we anticipate having hot playoff runs that will result in boosted values in fantasy/dynasty leagues and the card market (44:25).

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

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• MLB playoff bracket
• Listing of Bowman Chrome Superfractor bounty amounts
• News of an eBay seller intercepting a previously purchased superfractor
• Reddit thread of the Jackson Merrill Panini Immaculate find
• Reddit comment joking about the Merrill redemption up on eBay

Upcoming baseball card releases:

• 10/11: Topps Update
• 10/11: Panini Select
• 10/13: Leaf Exotic
• 10/18: Topps Pro Debut
• 10/18: Topps Stadium Club
• 10/18: Topps Tier One

Players discussed for the playoff breakouts plus cards discussed:

• Junior Caminero
  • 2023 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-JCR
  • 2023 Bowman Chrome Prospect #BCP-61 speckle refractor #/299
• Royce Lewis
  • 2022 Topps Now #173
  • 2022 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary #20
• Yainer Diaz
  • 2023 Topps Series 2 #635 orange foil #/299
• Josh Jung
  • 2023 Topps Cosmic Chrome #95
• Justin Verlander
  • 2005 Topps Chrome #242 First Year auto
• Orion Kerkering
  • 2022 Panini Elite Extra Edition Signatures #152
• Bobby Miller
  • 2023 Bowman Chrome #7 blue wave refractor, #/100

In our twelfth episode, we open with discussion on the tight playoff races and even more multiple superfractors surfacing. Then we review the release of 2023 Topps Update coming up on Oct. 11 (25:42). Finally, we close out by reviewing eight late season breakouts that have happened and will impact your 2024 draft (44:40).

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

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Fangraphs playoff odds
• Report on Adam Wainwright pitching through multiple injuries
• Even more duplicate superfractors pulled
• 2023 Topps Update checklist
• Razzball Player Rater - Hitters - Last 30 Days
• Razzball Player Rater - Pitchers- Last 30 Days
• Players discussed in the Categories segment:
  • Jake Burger
  • Royce Lewis
  • Nelson Velazquez
  • Jordan Walker
  • Tarik Skubal
  • Michael King
  • Reese Olson
  • Cole Ragans

In our elventh episode, we open with discussion on Waino's 200th win, Ohtani hot takes, and multiple superfractors. Then we review the release of the most eccentric card set of the year, 2023 Topps Allen & Ginter (20:42). Finally, we close out with re-examining our preseason predictions and picks (43:38).

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

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Stephen A. Smith rant on Ohtani's contract
• Double superfractor from 2023 Bowman Chrome
• 2023 Allen & Ginter checklist
• 2023 Razzball Staff Picks
• Players discussed in the Categories segment:
  • Ozzie Albies
  • Sonny Gray
  • Ezequiel Tovar
  • Michael Harris II
  • Yordan Alvarez
  • Giancarlo Stanton
  • Ben Joyce
  • Reid Detmers

In our tenth episode, we open with discussion on two pitchers in the news - Adam Wainwright and George Kirby. Then we review the details of a newest release, 2023 Bowman Chrome (26:26). Finally, we close out with discussing offseason trading strategies for dynasty and keeper leagues while finding some guys to target as trade chips (56:48).

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

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Story on the George Kirby quotes and subsequent apology
• Jered Weaver asking to be removed from game
• 2023 Bowman Chrome checklist
  • Print run projections
  • Masataka Yoshida Color Run SP
  • Jordan Walker Color Run SP
  • Adley Rutschman Image Variation SP
  • Ethan Salas 1st autos
  • Retrofractors
• Players discussed in the Categories segment:
  
  • Davis Schneider
    • Ben Clemens' Fangraphs article on Schneider
  • Jordan Wicks
  • Nick Lodolo
  • Chris Paddack
  • Andrew Abbott
  • Elly De La Cruz

In our ninth episode, we open with discussion on Shohei Ohtani’s stand-in double at the Angels picture day, David Fry outpitching Lucas Giolito, and the hot playoff races. For the kick-off of the NFL season, we review a list of our favorite football-themed baseball cards and chat a bit about the release of 2023 Topps Chrome Sapphire (29:47). Finally, we close out with reviewing seven surprising Top 50 fantasy starting pitchers (1:08:34).

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

Links to things discussed in the pod:

• Ohtani picture day stand-in
• Story on Mike Trout planning to speak with the Angels brass
• Lucas Giolito giving up eight runs with three teams
• David Fry's relief appearance
• Football cross over baseball cards:
  • 1990 Score #697 Bo Jackson
  • 1992 Upper Deck #SP3 Deion Sanders
  • 1992 Upper Deck Baseball Card #597 Mike Jeffcoat
  • 1995 Upper Deck Collector’s Choice #493 Pat Mahomes (silver signature)
  • 1998 Topps Chrome #287 Brian Jordan (refractor)
    
    • Alternative Brian Jordan card: 1998 Topps Gallery #15 Brian Jordan
  • Tom Brady / Pedro Martinez / Paul Pierce 2003 UD City All Stars Triple Game Used Jersey Card
  • 2010 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects - Chrome Prospects #BDPP47 Russell Wilson
  • 2016 Leaf Babe Ruth Football Sports Crossover Card #26
  • 2018 Panini Kaboom Tim Tebow
• 2023 Topps Chrome Sapphire
• Top 100 hitters reviewed (link to the Razzball Top 50 Pitchers - filter by SP):
  • Justin Steele
  • Kyle Bradish
  • Michael Wacha
  • Bryce Elder
  • Yusei Kikuchi
  • Braxton Garrett
  • Aaron Civale