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2014 FCB Prospect Hot List, Version 2.0 – March 21, 2014
by J.P. Schwartz
On this, the last Hot List of spring training, a few players’ cards have risen noticeably
thanks to both great performances and media hype. And in the case of the top guy on this
list, all it took was one dominant inning of work. Only two more weeks until Opening
Day in the minor leagues. Who’s psyched?
1. Julio Urias (Dodgers)
Best Card: 2013 Bowman Sterling Autograph
Even before his excellent debut, ESPN’s Keith Law gave him what some considered to
be a very generous ranking on his Top 100 Prospects list in January, at #14 . Immediately
after his debut, his name was trending on Twitter throughout the day. This 17-year old
prodigy flashes Major League stuff, and he could very well see the bigs sooner than later.
As all prospectors and wax breakers eagerly await his first Bowman Chrome Autograph,
his Bowman Sterling Autographs have spiked as high as $80 recently, up from around
$15-$20 a while ago.
2. Yordano Ventura (Royals)
Best Card: 2013 Bowman Chrome Autograph
Don’t let his rather lithe frame fool you – he can easily hit triple digits, as he’s reached
103 MPH. His last dominant outing cemented his spot as the new #3 in the Royals’
rotation, and his Chrome Autos have risen as a result. One reached as high as $40
recently, up from around half that amount.
3. Nick Castellanos (Tigers)
Best Card: 2013 Bowman Chrome Autograph
Nick has gotten into a groove lately, and as he’s already been dubbed Detroit’s Opening
Day third baseman, his card values are groovin’ as well. They’re now routinely fetching
$50 per, up from $30 a couple of weeks ago.
4. Mike Foltynewicz (Astros)
Best Card: 2010 Bowman Draft Autograph
Like Ventura, Folty can also reach triple digits on the gun, and has put together an
impressive spring campaign. I expect we’ll see him get the call later this year if he keeps
this up. His Chrome Autos, still considered a bargain, are finally starting to rise, as one
sold for $17 recently, up from the $5-$10 range they used to fetch.
5. Nick Williams (Rangers)
Best Card: 2012 Bowman Draft Autograph
Considered the most “safe” prospect among the plethora of risky high-ceiling Rangers
prospects in the lower minors, he recently went yard twice for Texas, the latter being
the game-winner. While there haven’t been many sales of late, his Blue Wave Refractor
Autograph (which is a scarce commodity, considering it was exclusive to winners of the
Bowman Prospect Challenge site from last year), has doubled in value from $25 to $50
per on eBay lately.
by J.P. Schwartz
On this, the last Hot List of spring training, a few players’ cards have risen noticeably
thanks to both great performances and media hype. And in the case of the top guy on this
list, all it took was one dominant inning of work. Only two more weeks until Opening
Day in the minor leagues. Who’s psyched?
1. Julio Urias (Dodgers)
Best Card: 2013 Bowman Sterling Autograph
Even before his excellent debut, ESPN’s Keith Law gave him what some considered to
be a very generous ranking on his Top 100 Prospects list in January, at #14 . Immediately
after his debut, his name was trending on Twitter throughout the day. This 17-year old
prodigy flashes Major League stuff, and he could very well see the bigs sooner than later.
As all prospectors and wax breakers eagerly await his first Bowman Chrome Autograph,
his Bowman Sterling Autographs have spiked as high as $80 recently, up from around
$15-$20 a while ago.
2. Yordano Ventura (Royals)
Best Card: 2013 Bowman Chrome Autograph
Don’t let his rather lithe frame fool you – he can easily hit triple digits, as he’s reached
103 MPH. His last dominant outing cemented his spot as the new #3 in the Royals’
rotation, and his Chrome Autos have risen as a result. One reached as high as $40
recently, up from around half that amount.
3. Nick Castellanos (Tigers)
Best Card: 2013 Bowman Chrome Autograph
Nick has gotten into a groove lately, and as he’s already been dubbed Detroit’s Opening
Day third baseman, his card values are groovin’ as well. They’re now routinely fetching
$50 per, up from $30 a couple of weeks ago.
4. Mike Foltynewicz (Astros)
Best Card: 2010 Bowman Draft Autograph
Like Ventura, Folty can also reach triple digits on the gun, and has put together an
impressive spring campaign. I expect we’ll see him get the call later this year if he keeps
this up. His Chrome Autos, still considered a bargain, are finally starting to rise, as one
sold for $17 recently, up from the $5-$10 range they used to fetch.
5. Nick Williams (Rangers)
Best Card: 2012 Bowman Draft Autograph
Considered the most “safe” prospect among the plethora of risky high-ceiling Rangers
prospects in the lower minors, he recently went yard twice for Texas, the latter being
the game-winner. While there haven’t been many sales of late, his Blue Wave Refractor
Autograph (which is a scarce commodity, considering it was exclusive to winners of the
Bowman Prospect Challenge site from last year), has doubled in value from $25 to $50
per on eBay lately.
