2020 Topps Final Edition: Cards #46-54

Damn, I almost forgot what day it was, which is weird, because it feels like a friday in every other respect. I suppose I just forgot I made friday a Final Edition day. Ah well. The next 9 cards in the set are coming right up. 

Card #046- James Hoyt, Miami Marlins

A former Houston relief option who had spent the spring training season with Cleveland, James Hoyt was very quickly snapped up by the Marlins, who were in need of serious bullpen help after the COVID scare in their organization. Hoyt responded with the best season of his career to date, with a 1.23 ERA in 24 games, and only 2 earned runs. The fish seem to be banking on Hoyt for a prime bullpen position in 2021, which is a step up from his previous roster-filler status.

Card #047- Kyle Cody, Texas Rangers

The Rangers weren't expecting to include many new options in their 2020 rotation, but after Kluber got hurt, Minor got traded, and Allard underwhelmed, it was only natural to infuse the rotation with some new blood. Enter rookie Kyle Cody, a 25-year-old farmhand who started 5 games and did pretty well, with a 1.96 ERA and 12 Ks. With the additions of Dane Dunning and Kohei Arihara in 2021, Cody isn't a lock for the starting rotation, but he and Kolby Allard could duke it out in camp for that last spot.

Card #048- J.T. Riddle, Pittsburgh Pirates

The longtime Miami utiltyman found himself in Pittsburgh, alongside other super-utes like Adam Frazier, Erik Gonzalez and Kevin Newman, so it shouldn't shock you too much that Riddle didn't get a ton of playing time in 2020. In 23 games, Riddle hit .149 with 10 hits. Not a great sign of things to come as a journeyman. 

Card #049- Hyun Jin Ryu ASG, Toronto Blue Jays

Hyun-Jin Ryu, somehow, would not get the start for the 2020 supposed ASG [Shane Bieber would]. He'd still come in around the third inning and strike out the side, because that's what he does, but he didn't start the game. This would have been Ryu's second consecutive ASG appearance, making up even more for his run of injury-plagued seasons in LA, and another statement that Ryu has become one of the most fearsome hurlers in the majors.

Card #050- Cristian Pache, Atlanta Braves

In a normal year, Pache's would have been one of the biggest rookie cards of the update set. But he's got one in 2021 Topps, so I guess that's the next best thing. Anyway, Cristian Pache was the Andruw Jones of the Braves' playoff run last year- he came in with only a few regular season games under his belt, and by the end of the postseason, everybody knew his name, as one of the starting outfield options for one of the best teams in the NL. Pache had 4 postseason RBIs and 1 postseason home run in the battle against the Dodgers, and while he wasn't the starriest Brave in that series, he's got a lot of eyes on him coming into the 2021 season. 

Card #051- Logan Forsythe, Miami Marlins

Logan Forsythe was a spring training option for the Philadelphia Phillies that was cut before the season, which the Marlins decided to cash in on. He was an early starting option at 2nd for the Marlins who was phased out due to health and depth reasons. In 12 games, he hit .118, a shell of his former contact-hitting self from Tampa. It's looking like Forsythe could be done after this season, but you never know, somebody could still sign him later in the season.

Card #052- Daniel Ponce de Leon, St. Louis Cardinals

The former longtime farmhand who came back from a head injury and flirted with a no-no in his first start back was still utilized by the Cardinals in 2020, in a heavier role. Ponce de Leon started 8 of his 9 games, with a 5.01 ERA and 45 Ks. I'm not sure if he'll factor into the Cards' 2021 rotation, considering how many people will be back, but he served a purpose well.

Card #053- Trevor Bauer ASG, Cincinnati Reds

Due to the halfway-point stats of one Yu Darvish, Trevor Bauer wouldn't get the NL ASG start, but he'd definitely make an appearance and throw some fire. Bauer's ASG nod would have been his second overall, which means he'll have to make up for it as a member of the Dodgers. 

Card #054- Brian Dozier, New York Mets

Another player whose 2020 issue would have been his sunset card had Topps made it, Brian Dozier capped off a tumultuous final three seasons of ping-ponging between teams by signing with the New York Mets on a minor league deal. The one-time 40-homer second baseman struggled in 7 games, hitting .133 with only 2 hits. Dozier had some career highs in Minnesota, and though he couldn't sustain it past the mid-2010s, he still retired with most of his dignity intact. 

On monday we'll crack into the next 9 of these. A few important rookies pop up here.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2019: Cardinals

I just want to make it clear that I'm not intentionally posting the Cardinals post of these on the day of Pearl Harbor every year. It just comes 7th in the alphabet, I post that December 7th, and that's it. I'm not saying that the day I have to post Cardinals customs is "A DAAAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY" or something. It's not like posting a Michael Pineda custom on Easter because his arm died then was resurrected 3 years later (which I did). This is completely separate from any holidays or anything.

But I do still hate the Cardinals. I just do.

This was a season where they really didn't need to be part of the conversation, and yet midway through the year they came to life, overtook the Cubs and Brewers and carved out a playoff campaign, complete with Jack Flaherty looking like an ace, Paul Goldschmidt finally playing like a leader, and a horrifying Game 5 blowout in Atlanta. It was not fun to watch, but...Washington's 4 game sweep of them was.

Jose Martinez, after losing his job to Goldschmidt, primarily covered outfield spots, and hit off the bench. After a slow start, he evened his average to .269, with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs in 128 games. Martinez actually had more RBIs than teammate Harrison Bader in the same stretch of time.
Why Him in 2019?: Still a crucial member of the team despite Goldschmidt taking his position
2020 Prediction: A lot more time starting in the outfield upon Ozuna's impending departure. Will be non-tendered after the season.

 After two seasons of doing alright starting in Washington, Matt Wieters became the primary backup in St. Louis. After an injury to Yadier Molina, Wieters became the starting option, and in 41 games as a starter, he hit .218 with 24 RBIs and 9 home runs, which isn't bad at all for a guy trying to sub for Molina.
Why Him in 2019?: Backed up the greatest without to much cause for worry.
2020 Prediction: Will be signed as a backup somewhere, and will do alright.

 After an impressive few starts in 2018, Daniel Ponce de Leon was given a few more opportunities in the midst of Michael Wacha's absence, and did alright for himself, with 31 strikeouts and a 4.51 ERA in 8 starts.
Why Him in 2019?: Proved he wasn't just a fluke in 2018
2020 Prediction: A maximized starting role, and a few more big-games to make him a household name in STL.

 John Brebbia had his most prevalent year as a reliever on the Cards this year, notching 87 strikeouts in 72 innings.
Why Him in 2019?: Provided strong relief in the wake of Hicks' absence.
2020 Prediction: More solidified relief work, possibly working the ninth more often.

And I should probably mention Andrew Miller, one of the bigger names to be signed during free agency. He was...alright as a Cardinal. 4.45 ERA, 70 strikeouts in 55 innings. It's fine. It's nothing like his 2016 numbers, but it's fine.
Why Him in 2019?: Did what he could amidst a clearly-depleted output.
2020 Prediction: Closer to classic-Miller, and a potential full-time move to the ninth.

Coming Tomorrow- Another somber year for the Chicago Cubs.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2018: Cardinals

I never thought the Cardinals would respond to the loss of Mike Matheny by...performing better than they did with him as manager. I never could imagined how insane their August was, and how inexplicably they rose to, and fell from, power. They were the A's, only without the stability.

And...truth be told, they weren't a bad team. Granted, they weren't good enough to sneak into the playoffs, and lost too many crucial September matchups to land on a WC spot. So...they just have some accolades.

One of them is still having Carlos Martinez, one of the most notorious strikeout artists, and one of the perennial leaders in walks, in baseball. He had a down year by his own standards, but...he's still Carlos Martinez, and he's still one of the closest things the team has to an ace.

Well...aside from...

...oh yeah, their ACTUAL ACE.

Adam Wainwright, who's been fairly hit-miss in his last few seasons, decided to use his late-year return from the DL as a way of reminding people he can still throw hella hard. 40 strikeouts in 8 starts hard. Granted, his W/L ratio still isn't back, but the Cards are definitely banking on a return to form in 2019.

The numbers may not completely illuminate this, but Kolten Wong had another strong season at second, being one of the primary offensive leaders for the Cards with a 3.5 WAR. I'd put this year down a few pegs from his 100+ hit 2017, but he's proved his ability to be consistent in a constantly-shifting Cardinals environment.

The more consistent infield option is still Jedd Gyorko, who has proved to be an insanely crafty presence in the lineup, giving another 90+-hit season, and playing some top-tier defensive infield. He's got one more year of St. Louis mayhem before being released onto the general public of the MLB, so expect either some tricky postseason stuff for the Cards, or...a midseason trade sending him to Atlanta or something.

 Michael Wacha missed a portion of the season due to injury, but after his return he was back to his old tricks, improving on his 2017 season with a 3.20 ERA, an 8-2 record, and some general dominance. He'll likely be relied upon quite a bit during the 2019 run.

If not for Harrison Bader and Jack Flaherty, Tyler O'Neill would be the team's most powerful rookie. He only finished with a .254 average, but his 1.5 WAR, his 23 RBIs and defensive versatility speak for itself. Guys like O'Neill make me feel like St. Louis is gonna continue their roster interchangeability of late. O'Neill, while primarily an outfielder, can also be used off the bench, and can be swapped with Bader, Gyorko and Paul DeJong, all multi-positional guys.

 Daniel Poncedeleon's story is a nice pick me up- he comes back a season after being hit in the head with a line drive, his first start in the bigs is a near no-hitter, with multiple strikeouts and a ton of promise. Poncedeleon's stuff varied from starting and relieving duties, but he was an intriguing extra arm to have in the pitching staff, and might have an even more impressive 2019.

 Matt Adams landed in St. Louis in September, after a nice year benching in Washington. He proceeded to shed all of his good bat mojo from DC, and return to the effeteness he displayed in St. Louis before being dealt to Atlanta. Hopefully he'll find his stuff again soon enough.

Of all people to hold the fort in the ninth this year....Bud Norris? Former Houston and Baltimore starter Bud Norris? Well...okay then! Norris had 28 saves in 32 opportunities, with a 3.60 ERA, which made for a nice comeback year for the man. He's a free agent now, so hopefully someone will take a chance on this man for the ninth...hell, maybe it'll be Boston.

Coming Tomorrow- They went from being in control of the division to watching the playoffs from the sidelines...in a week's time. That's the kind of luck that used to get fans of this team down.