In just more than a year, Panini America's exclusive relationship with USA Baseball already has produced some of the most compelling trading cards in that organization's history, highlighted by the content-rich 2013 USA Baseball Champions product available now at both hobby and retail outlets. But based on the results of last night's 2013 MLB Draft, many of those cards instantly became history-makers, too.
In just more than a year, Panini America’s exclusive relationship with USA Baseball already has produced some of the most compelling trading cards in that organization’s history, highlighted by the content-rich 2013 USA Baseball Champions product available now at both hobby and retail outlets. But based on the results of last night’s 2013 MLB Draft, many of those cards instantly became history-makers, too.
Late last night, Panini America Baseball Brand Manager Mike Payne confirmed that the first autographs from eight players selected in the first round of last night’s draft can be found exclusively on USA Baseball cards from 2012 and 2103 Panini America products. What follows is a list of those players accompanied by Payne’s analysis.
You can find the products these future stars are featured in at your local hobby shop or on iCollectPanini.com.
Kris Bryant, 3B, University of San Diego (Selected #2 overall by the Chicago Cubs)
Member of 2012 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team with autographs – many of them on-card – in 2012 Prime Cuts, 2012 Panini USA Baseball Box Set and the just-released 2013 Panini USA Baseball Champions. Memorabilia cards can also be found in all three products.
D.J. Peterson, 3B/1B, University of New Mexico (Selected #12 by the Seattle Mariners)
Like Bryant, Peterson was one of the more advanced hitters on the 2012 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and appears in the same Panini sets as Bryant.
Reese McGuire, C, Kentwood High School (Covington, Wash.; Selected #14 by the Pittsburgh Pirates)
Advanced 18U player and his autos – some on-card – can be found in the USA Baseball Box Set, 2012 Elite Extra Edition and 2013 Panini USA Champions, where he even cracked the coveted Diamond Kings lineup. Also has memorabilia cards in all three sets, too.
Marco Gonzales, LHP, Gonzaga (Selected #19 by St. Louis Cardinals)
Was a two-way player on the 2012 Collegiate National Team, but drafted as a pitcher by St. Louis.
Jonathon Crawford, RHP, University of Florida (Selected #20 by Detroit Tigers)
Was a member of Collegiate National Team, and like the others listed above, has signatures in the three programs he appears in: Prime Cuts, Box Set and Champions.
Christian Arroyo, SS, Hernando High School (Brooksville, Fla.; Selected #25 by the San Francisco Giants)
One of the most productive hitters in the 2012 USA Baseball 18U lineup. He appears on autos in Box Set, Elite Extra Edition and Champions.
Ryne Stanek, RHP, University of Arkansas (Selected #29 by Tampa Bay Rays)
Helped anchor the 2012 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team staff.
Ian Clarkin, LHP, Madison High School, San Diego (Selected #33 by the New York Yankees
Huge value for the pinstripes with the last pick in the first round. Quality lefthander, mature approach on the field and off, and collectors have been buying his Panini America cards in anticipation of future success at the big-league level.
I was hoping Clarkin would be one that you guys had, I heard a funny story about how he said on video that was run during the draft that his favorite baseball game ever was the 2001 World Series game 7 because he hated the Yankees. Brilliant! Thanks Tracy!
That’s too funny. Now he’s a self-loather.
Look up the video from the draft man, I can’t make something like that up!
I like the Panini USA baseball product better than the major league product. The major league product looses a little luster when the uniforms and hats don’t have logos. Seeing the USA baseball logo is refreshing!
Also, a few of these guys were in the 2011 Limited set in the USA inserts, including Appel and Ciuffo…
Great start for collectors to invest into these