2020 Topps Final Edition: Cards #262-270

After today's post, we'll have 60 cards left in the 2020 Final Edition set. It's been quite a ride, and while we've still got a lot of big ones to get to, today we reach our third multiple of 90, and are third zero ending card with this 9-cards-at-a-time model. There are some intriguing ones this year, also in the story of 2021 as well, so let's get to 'em:

Card #262- Jose Martinez, Chicago Cubs 

Jose Martinez was having a decent season DHing in Tampa, on his way to a potential World Series appearance, and suddenly the Rays decided they didn't need him for the stretch and traded him to the bench-curious Cubs. In 10 games in Chicago, Martinez failed to make any progress, with no hits, 7 strikeouts, and a .000 batting average. He unsurprisingly did not make the postseason roster. The Mets signed him for 2020, then he got injured [they could really use him about now].

Card #263- A.J. Minter, Atlanta Braves

I have to imagine Topps used Minter's disappointing 2019 season, with a 7+ ERA in 36 games, as a reason not to include him in 2020, but even still, they missed out on commemorating a strong, important season for Minter. He only allowed 2 earned runs in 2020, with a 0.83 ERA in 22 innings, and struck out 24. He was also fairly unhittable during the postseason, going hitless in the first two playoff series and striking out 8 during the Dodgers series. Minter is taking a little longer to get to a low ERA this season, but he's still a crucial piece of the Braves' bullpen.

Card #264- Daniel Castano, Miami Marlins

Daniel Castano was one of two rookies brought into the Marlins' rotation in order to cover for two of the previous year's rookies that failed to deliver. Last year, Castano was better than his compatriot Trevor Rogers, with a 3.03 ERA and 12 Ks in 6 starts. Nothing too huge, and outdone by Rogers' high-K work in 2021, but a decent harbinger of what could become a steady career. Castano is incidentally currently in the minors, but has made 4 starts in 2021, and has lost 2 of them.

Card #265- Triston McKenzie, Cleveland Indians

Oh yeah, speaking of starry 2020 rookies that haven't worked as well in 2021. Triston McKenzie started his career with a bang in 2020, with a 10-K debut for the Indians, and 32 more over the course of the rest of the season. McKenzie was not the highest-tier arm in the rotation, and sort of evened out over time, but his first few starts were LETHAL. 2021 was a definite sophomore slump for McKenzie, and while he did notch 49 strikeouts so far, he's got a 6 ERA and is giving up way more walks and runs than last year. He's currently back in the minors. 

Card #266- Yohan Ramirez, Seattle Mariners

Man, we're 3 straight with 2020 rookies that aren't currently in the majors. My luck. Yohan Ramirez was an integral bullpen piece for the Mariners, in that he was the rare Seattle reliever that actually lasted past the end of August. Ramirez had a 2.61 ERA and 26 Ks in 16 relief innings, and notched 3 saves. It looked like the beginnings of a decent career, but with the recovery of the Mariners' pen, Ramirez had less room to succeed, and disappointed in 2 relief outings so far this year.

Card #267- Phil Gosselin, Philadelphia Phillies

Phil Gosselin was the Phillies makeshift Brad Miller in the season in between his Phils years there. Miller, if you'll recall, was a bench hero for the Phils in 2019, and is right back at that in 2021. So Phil Gosselin, right at the start of the season, starts doing exactly what Miller did- 12 RBIs in 39 games, the starting DH position, and a surprising amount of contact work. Yes, the numbers died down once the season kept going on, but Gosselin, or Goose as he was called, filled a valuable hole for Philly. Of course, Miller's back now, so Gosselin's now a bench player in Anaheim.

Card #268- Alex Verdugo ASG, Boston Red Sox

I may be wrong, but I believe that in this sim'd 2020 ASG I did up for this set, Alex Verdugo was the only Red Sox player to make the team. No Bogaerts, no Martinez...Dugie had an excellent breakout season in the outfield, would have qualified for the team on his own merits, and it helped that he was one of the few bright spots in a dark Boston season. Of course, now that the team's better, he fits in a lot more.

Card #269- Caleb Baragar, San Francisco Giants

At last, a 2020 rookie that's still on the major league roster somewhere. Caleb Baragar had a decent rookie year in relief, with a 4 ERA, 5 wins and 19 Ks. He's a sharp relief piece in a whole bullpen full of tricksters, and he's having a much better season in 2021 now that he actually has a better team to fight for.

Card #270- Tommy La Stella, Oakland Athletics

A year after making an all-star team for the Angels, Tommy La Stella had mellowed into a decent infield piece on a tanking roster. His .273 average with the Angels was alright, but once he was traded to the A's for Franklin Barreto he got even better, hitting .289 with 28 hits and 11 RBIs. He also got a lot of starting reps at 2nd, and was a starter during the playoffs, where he hit .293 with 8 hits and 2 RBIs. He seemed to be off to a nice start in SF before the injury, as well. 

Monday, we've got another 9 up at bat. A few very puzzling omissions in this one. 

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.

So, You Let the Cardinals into the Playoffs (Possibly)

Now, I can't exactly confirm that this is happening, but...seeing the direction the Cards are going, and also seeing the direction the Rockies are going...I can only imagine this is how it's going to go.

The Cardinals, who began this season flirting with last, have decided ONCE AGAIN to spring into the playoff conversation halfway through the year. I don't know why they do it this way, they just seem to think it's the right idea. Anyway, they've developed a really nice young rotation/cavalry of arms, they've developed a ton of rookie position players who are starting, and they've managed to completely revitalize the team without being overshouted by veterans and contracts. Granted, not everything has worked, like the acquisitions of Matt Adams and Tyson Ross, and the back half of the bullpen, but this is a fine, sturdy team.

Now...I don't really know if they're a playoff team. But that's just what they want you to think. They're likely going to be facing off against the Brewers for the WC spot, and that's one that I'd rather go to Milwaukee, solely because they've had a phenomenal year, and I'd hate for dumb luck to keep them from a playoff run for the UMPTEENTH TIME. The Brewers have only gone so far as winning the NLDS in recent years...and then going up against the Cardinals in the playoffs and frigging losing. It would be nice for a team that never really catchers a break, like the Brewers, to defeat a team that always gets really lucky, like the Cardinals.

And yes, I'll admit there is legitimate talent in this Cardinals team...but all four other NL playoff teams have more talent, and deserve the playoff spot more than they do. The Brewers deserve the right to square off against the Cubs in the NLDS for supremacy, and potentially take down Atlanta or LA for the right for full MLB supremacy. I can't really say the Cards deserve that this year.

Coming Tonight: He's big, strong, and hits home runs. And his team's seeded second.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2017: Cardinals

So...the St. Louis Cardinals...in 2017...were okay.

They didn't go to the NLCS and piss me off. They didn't stay in last like the Blue Jays were nice enough to do. They skirted around second and third, occasionally being in first, and eventually being overtaken by the Brewers and Cubs. It was an up-and-down season, with wins, losses...and some breathtaking ineptitude during their game in the Bronx I got to see in April.

Michael Wacha, after a down year, was one of the few sources of consistency in St. Louis, having a great season as a 2nd-3rd man (behind Carlos Martinez), and batting them down.

I'd like to first say that this is one of my favorite photos of the year, and that I'm very sad that I had to crop out a line of stormtroopers glaring at Kolten Wong from this photo. Still hella cool, though.

Kolten Wong, a year after being demoted to the minors thanks to a holey average, and the presence of Aledmys Diaz in the infield, had a nice comeback year, hitting well and playing back into the starting lineup. With the number of young rookies, it's hard to see how solid he'll be in the gameplan, but with Diaz gone I'm thinking he'll be there more.

Jose Martinez was an infielder that had some great outings off the bench this year, culminating in more and more playing time as the year went on. He'll probably be a starter next year.

This guy, though, might be the future. He came up late in the season, played extremely well, and will be fighting for an outfield spot next season alongside Piscotty and Grichuk (coming off disappointing seasons). Tommy Pham and Dexter Fowler will definitely be there, and it'd be cool to see Magneuris Sierra get the nod as well, as he's probably gonna be great.

Coming Tomorrow- They didn't exactly win the World Series, but they didn't do too badly, either.