We've reached the 100s in our rundown of my 2020 Topps Final Edition set, ironically in the week where I've finished production on all 330 cards in it. So that's how prepared I am for the rest of this run, as we begin to head into the regular season, as I focus on regular customs and other projects. I made sure this one had a real hero card for #100, plus a few interesting cases to talk about.
Card #100- Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels
Jo Adell was first brought to my attention when I pulled a relic of his out of 2019 Heritage Minor Leagues. I reckon that'd go for a nice amount of money now. Adell may see his stock fall slightly due to his not starting the 2021 season in the majors, but you can't deny how impressive the guy looks for the Angels. He's been touted as the outfielder of the future for years, and will probably be the guy who replaces Justin Upton in the Angels outfield. Last year in 38 games, he hit .161 with 7 RBIs, a poor showing, even for a 21-year-old. Hopefully Maddon is right that some time in the minors will help him blossom a bit, because I'd hate to think this is all we get from the guy.
Card #101- Freddie Freeman ASG, Atlanta Braves
I don't want there to be any doubt here. If the 2020 All Star Game had happened, Freddie Freeman would have been the starting first baseman for the NL. Brandon Belt and Paul Goldschmidt would have votes to combat him, but they wouldn't come anywhere near him. Freeman was league-caliber last year, he was deserving of the MVP, and he hit fire like nobody I've seen in a while. It was also a season that rewarded Freeman for being the rock in the Braves lineup for years, which hopefully he continues to be from here on out.
Card #102- Keegan Akin, Baltimore Orioles
One of two rookie starters brought up towards the end of the season to help out the cause, Keegan Akin was the more traditional choice for sure. In 6 starts, he had a 4.58 ERA with 35 Ks and a high whip, but he still made himself known as a young option for a team that needed some. I'm fully expecting him and Dean Kremer to factor into the rotation this year.
Card #103- Trevor Cahill, San Francisco Giants
Ever since his legendary 18-8 year in 2010, Trevor Cahill has been a fairly inconsistent pitcher. At his best, he could be a strong, low-rotation hurler, like he was in Oakland in 2018. At his worst, he can be a waste of a trade deadline deal, like he was in 2017 for the Royals. But after a mixed-at-best year in Anaheim, Cahill returned to the bay area to audition for a role in the Giants rotation. He started 6 games but also was used as a relief option, and had a 3.24 ERA in 11 games with 31 strikeouts. Not enough to keep Drew Smyly at bay, but enough to charm his way into a starting role in Pittsburgh out of camp.
Card #104- Josh Van Meter, Arizona Diamondbacks
The former Reds prospect who found himself buried behind a strong infield last year, Van Meter found himself dealt to the Diamondbacks in exchange for Archie Bradley. In Phoenix, Van Meter bat .194, which was, to be fair, 150 points higher than his average in Cincinnati, and had 5 RBIs in 12 games. I'm not sure how he'll factor into the D-Backs' 2021 roster picture, but hopefully his average will come around.
Card #105- Brian Goodwin, Cincinnati Reds
Speaking of the Reds, the other deadline deal they made was to fleece Brian Goodwin from the Angels to provide outfield support, or, more likely, to block Aristedes Aquino from getting any playing time. Unfortunately, the second Goodwin arrived in Cincinnati was also the moment that Shogo Akiyama started hitting, so Goodwin's 20 games of .163 hitting weren't especially needed. He's looking to make the Pirates this spring. Godspeed to him.
Card #106- Dinelson Lamet ASG, San Diego Padres
After a surprising late-season push in 2019, Dinelson Lamet certified himself as one of the deadliest arms in the NL West, with a 2.09 ERA in 12 games and 93 strikeouts. It was a performance that was shortened due to an injury RIGHT BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS, but in a regular 2020, Lamet would have still made the All Star team, and pitched an inning or so of solid stuff for the NL.
Card #107- Code Heuer, Chicago White Sox
The surprisingly impressive White Sox relief canon of Bummer and Fry added a new homegrown arm, this time Codi Heuer, the rookie who proceeded to let all of Chicago know his name in 21 games, with a 1.52 ERA and 25 Ks in that timeframe. Heck, he even got some postseason numbers, even if the A's did beat him up a little. Sure to have a big role in the 2021 postseason effort.
Card #108- D.J. LeMahieu ASG, New York Yankees
Here's a shocker- D.J. LeMahieu would end up a few votes short of the starting second baseman job for the AL. And he'd lose to a fellow AL East infielder as well. That shouldn't diminish LeMahieu's season, where he excelled once again for the Yankees despite a brief injury setting him back a bit. Thanks to a new contract, the Yankees seem to have found their 2nd baseman for the 2020s, and hopefully LeMahieu keeps up the fantastic work.
The next 9 cards are set for Monday. A few standard commons for this set, and one or two very odd sights.
I think it is going to be better for Adell's card values for him to remain in the minors. He played so poorly in the majors in 2020 that if he were to struggle in the bigs again, he will start to lose his prospect luster. He still might end up a good player in the bigs, but as far as being a major player in the card market, he is on the edge right now. Going to the minors will buy him some time.
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