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http://freedomcardboard.com/blog/2012/0 ... -sterling/
Looking forward to the 2012 season of baseball and the emergence of players who can potentially usher in profit, I constantly try to scour the minor leagues looking for youthful talent that has, thus far, hovered below the radar of mainstream. Like most prospectors the goal is to buy in cheaply and do so before the hobby as a whole spurs demand. However, of course, that we all know; but do we all really have the time to put in the work trying to formulate a solid investment plan? Unfortunately, the answer to that is a resounding NO. Most rely on hot lists, top prospect lists, and such to get a glimpse of who is worthy of investment; yet I tell you now that by the time these players are making highlighted publications it may already be too late. Even still this is well known and much relied upon by those who are investing on the principles of selling during this type of notoriety. Without further ado let me present my top pick for a solid chance at making headlines in 2012 and easily one of the more affordable investment prospects in all of the minor leagues . . . FELIX STERLING.
Born March 1993 in the Dominican Republic, Felix grew up on mean streets, and if not for his grandfather he perhaps would have become a victim of “juvenile youth syndrome” that plays out for a majority of the less than wealthy Dominican kids trying to find their way. In his early teens Felix was already six feet plus tall, approaching 200 pounds, and mistaken for a grown man by many ruffians; thus fighting and getting in to trouble was his way of life. He even found himself in a home for troubled boys for a year. However, that all changed when his grandfather introduced him to the game of baseball. Initially Felix wanted to be a soccer player, but under the advisement of his grandfather they decided his future and rare athletic talents would better be served in baseball—as soccer simply had no future in the Dominican Republic. This proved to perhaps be the defining moment in his life as his rise to a credible and sought after talent took form fairly quickly.
After a wisely spent $125,000 signing bonus to a 17-year-old by the Cleveland Indians, Felix showed surprising form in 2010 posting a 57/20 K/BB ratio in 51-plus innings in his pro debut in the AZL. Because of his youth and raw talent(s) the Indians wisely chose to hold him back in extended spring training and repeat the AZL in 2011. Felix responded by showing his growth with a 31/8 K/BB ratio in 26-plus innings work. His production, consistency, and positive attitude had the Indians brass take him beyond the logical next step (NYPL) and see what he could do in Low-A Midwest League. Felix continued to show his poise and future potential holding his own right out of the gate in two starts for Low-A Lake County where he gave up three runs in 11-plus innings and striking out eight—and still only 18 years old! (By the way, with that $125,000 signing bonus Felix bought his Mom a house!)
In 2011 he already displayed control and command beyond his years with a fastball approaching the mid 90s and a solid slider that could develop in to a plus two pitch. Coming in to 2012, this 6’3” 200lb *future Ace (*my prediction) will already have two years of professional and quality ball under his belt and has shown tremendous talent, development, and attitude all the while. Many scouts project his fastball to mature in to a 100mph laser, and if development of a third pitch is true, Felix is poised for a breakout season in 2012. The only questionable attribute in his young development, thus far, is that he seemingly gives up too many long balls (read: hits in the air). However, this is a common problem for baseballs pitching youth, and if his ability to adapt, learn, and overcome in all other areas holds true, I think we are going to see a much more aggressive pitcher with control down low than in prior seasons.
My prediction for his 2012 season is that we are going to see a much more confident and refined pitcher. I believe his fastball will begin to approach triple digits, and his already solid slider will get filthy. I hope to see a changeup in the works and also plan to see solid improvement in both K/BB ratio and earned run average. Simply put: 2012 season will be the time when Felix takes insider talk of already being a top 15 or so prospect for the Indians and propels himself in to the low single digits—if not atop the ranks completely. It’s going to be a season where he starts to pull himself out from under the radar and emerges on the hobby/sport scene as a future dominant force. When this happens, be prepared to see a significant rise in cardstock value compared to the peanuts it’s selling for now. With that note Felix Sterling has his entire cardstock in 2011 LEAF Metal and 2011 LEAF Valiant. Both of which offer very nice on-card autos and low numbered parallels for a very reasonable price, but for how long . . . ?
This article was written by FCB member matfanofold as a part of the Writers Guild project.
Looking forward to the 2012 season of baseball and the emergence of players who can potentially usher in profit, I constantly try to scour the minor leagues looking for youthful talent that has, thus far, hovered below the radar of mainstream. Like most prospectors the goal is to buy in cheaply and do so before the hobby as a whole spurs demand. However, of course, that we all know; but do we all really have the time to put in the work trying to formulate a solid investment plan? Unfortunately, the answer to that is a resounding NO. Most rely on hot lists, top prospect lists, and such to get a glimpse of who is worthy of investment; yet I tell you now that by the time these players are making highlighted publications it may already be too late. Even still this is well known and much relied upon by those who are investing on the principles of selling during this type of notoriety. Without further ado let me present my top pick for a solid chance at making headlines in 2012 and easily one of the more affordable investment prospects in all of the minor leagues . . . FELIX STERLING.
Born March 1993 in the Dominican Republic, Felix grew up on mean streets, and if not for his grandfather he perhaps would have become a victim of “juvenile youth syndrome” that plays out for a majority of the less than wealthy Dominican kids trying to find their way. In his early teens Felix was already six feet plus tall, approaching 200 pounds, and mistaken for a grown man by many ruffians; thus fighting and getting in to trouble was his way of life. He even found himself in a home for troubled boys for a year. However, that all changed when his grandfather introduced him to the game of baseball. Initially Felix wanted to be a soccer player, but under the advisement of his grandfather they decided his future and rare athletic talents would better be served in baseball—as soccer simply had no future in the Dominican Republic. This proved to perhaps be the defining moment in his life as his rise to a credible and sought after talent took form fairly quickly.
After a wisely spent $125,000 signing bonus to a 17-year-old by the Cleveland Indians, Felix showed surprising form in 2010 posting a 57/20 K/BB ratio in 51-plus innings in his pro debut in the AZL. Because of his youth and raw talent(s) the Indians wisely chose to hold him back in extended spring training and repeat the AZL in 2011. Felix responded by showing his growth with a 31/8 K/BB ratio in 26-plus innings work. His production, consistency, and positive attitude had the Indians brass take him beyond the logical next step (NYPL) and see what he could do in Low-A Midwest League. Felix continued to show his poise and future potential holding his own right out of the gate in two starts for Low-A Lake County where he gave up three runs in 11-plus innings and striking out eight—and still only 18 years old! (By the way, with that $125,000 signing bonus Felix bought his Mom a house!)
In 2011 he already displayed control and command beyond his years with a fastball approaching the mid 90s and a solid slider that could develop in to a plus two pitch. Coming in to 2012, this 6’3” 200lb *future Ace (*my prediction) will already have two years of professional and quality ball under his belt and has shown tremendous talent, development, and attitude all the while. Many scouts project his fastball to mature in to a 100mph laser, and if development of a third pitch is true, Felix is poised for a breakout season in 2012. The only questionable attribute in his young development, thus far, is that he seemingly gives up too many long balls (read: hits in the air). However, this is a common problem for baseballs pitching youth, and if his ability to adapt, learn, and overcome in all other areas holds true, I think we are going to see a much more aggressive pitcher with control down low than in prior seasons.
My prediction for his 2012 season is that we are going to see a much more confident and refined pitcher. I believe his fastball will begin to approach triple digits, and his already solid slider will get filthy. I hope to see a changeup in the works and also plan to see solid improvement in both K/BB ratio and earned run average. Simply put: 2012 season will be the time when Felix takes insider talk of already being a top 15 or so prospect for the Indians and propels himself in to the low single digits—if not atop the ranks completely. It’s going to be a season where he starts to pull himself out from under the radar and emerges on the hobby/sport scene as a future dominant force. When this happens, be prepared to see a significant rise in cardstock value compared to the peanuts it’s selling for now. With that note Felix Sterling has his entire cardstock in 2011 LEAF Metal and 2011 LEAF Valiant. Both of which offer very nice on-card autos and low numbered parallels for a very reasonable price, but for how long . . . ?
This article was written by FCB member matfanofold as a part of the Writers Guild project.
