2020 Topps Final Edition: Cards #100-108

 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.

Meet the Lamets

Two MVP candidates, a Cy young candidate, a Manager of the Year candidate and a Rookie of the Year candidate. The Padres are back.

First of all, Dinelson Lamet. Last season, after his return from a few seasons of relative obscurity, I thought he fit well into the youth-driven core of Paddack-Lauer-Lucchesi-Strahm. This year, Lamet came alive, with a 2.07 ERA, 89 strikeouts, a 3-1 record in 11 games, and a .872 WHIP. Lamet has been one of the most reliable starters in San Diego, even as Chris Paddack has lowered his ERA, Zach Davies has won 7 games, and Mike Clevinger has come in with a vengeance. Lamet has some serious abilities, and has been stymieing opposing batters all season. I can't see why he won't be a huge weapon in the postseason, especially after a lower-seeded team.

Also...you have Jayce Tingler making quick decisions in his first year, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis FINALLY becoming a killer 1-2 combo, and Jake Cronenworth looking like a pretty good choice for Rookie of the Year, essentially being a better version of Cory Spangenberg. Plus, Will Myers, Eric Hosmer, Garrett Richards, Drew Pomeranz and Trent Grisham are all playing really well.

This is one of the first times where every little move the Padres made has just paid off in unison like this...except maybe for Tommy Pham, but he's doing his best. 

The colossal power of the Padres as a potential playoff team is a wonderful thing, and like I said they'll be seeded higher than most wild card teams, so they could square off against a lower-tier team, perhaps one of the teams vying for spots right now [Cincinnati, Philly, San Francisco, St. Louis, Miami]. It'll be fun to see how they do in this arrangement, even if there's a chance it may end kinda quickly. Just nice to see them back in October.

Coming Tomorrow- A New York Yankee has the most home runs in baseball right now. How awesome is that?

Uncustomed Heroes of 2019: Padres

The Padres had a strong April, thanks to the material of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. However, after Tatis' injury in May, the team sort of reverted to its old self- sluggish, hapless, and unlucky. And therefore they ended the year in last. They've already done a lot of work to be ready in 2020, but will it be as effective as, say, signing Machado, bringing up Tatis and a bunch of pitchers?

Wil Myers, after being the centerpiece of the team since 2016, regressed further in 2019, hitting .239 and 18 home runs, a full-season low for Myers.
Why Him in 2019?: Held a full-season position despite being usurped by Machado and Hosmer
2020 Prediction: An improvement in numbers, but over less games.

In the absence of Myers' better numbers, Josh Naylor came in from Canada and captured an outfield spot after Franmil Reyes was traded. Naylor hit 32 RBIs in 94 games, and had a .403 SLG.
Why Him in 2019?: Gave an outfield position back to the youth movement
2020 Prediction: A full season of starting, and a 75-RBI year.

 In the midst of the revolving door year in the rotation came a return from Dinelson Lamet, who started some games in 2017. He fared well here, with 105 strikeouts in 14 games, and a 4.07 ERA.
Why Him in 2019?: He counts as a veteran presence in the 2019 rotation, I think
2020 Prediction: Will be a sleeper favorite in the rotation, despite Paddack and Davies having flashier years.

 One of the bigger rotation rookies of the second was Cal Quantrill, who came into vogue after Logan Allen left. Of the big rookies of 2019 in San Diego (Avila, Margevicius, Paddack, Morejon), he was the most 'meh' of them all, with a 5.16 ERA and a 6-8 record.
Why Him in 2019?: Ate 103 innings for a team improving its pitching reputation
2020 Prediction: Will have a much better starting year, with 12 wins and 175 strikeouts.

 Once again, thanks to Machado and Tatis, the Padres had no room for Luis Urias, who did what he could as backup later in the year. Still, in 74 games, Urias hit .223 with 56 strikeouts, so he needs to figure out how to hit at MLB levels.
Why Him in 2019?: Covered for Tatis during his injury periods
2020 Prediction: Will be an upgrade from Arcia in Milwaukee, but won't hit his stride til late in the season.

Why the Padres still insist on starting Austin Hedges and his .176 average over Francisco Mejia I have no idea. Mejia had a strong year as backup, hitting .265 with 22 RBIs and 8 home runs over 79 games. I'd honestly give him the gig over Hedges in 2019 if I were managing there.
Why Him in 2019?: Proved that the Cleveland prospectors had a point
2020 Prediction: Will win the starting gig in April and be one of the more durable members of the team by September.

Coming Tomorrow- For the second year in a row, the Phillies let several teams pass them in the standings in their pursuit of first. Here are some players who at least tried to stop this.