CARDBOARD REVIEW:2019 Topps Heritage Minors Baseball (bonus auto!)

If you are into prospecting, the best way in my opinion to do so affordably, is looking at minor league products.

Yes, they are no Bowman Chrome value, but they can reach those heights if you find the next Mike Trout hidden within.

I was able to bust a box of the 2019 Topps Heritage Minors so let's check it out to see how it went.

In every box of 2019 Topps Heritage Minor League baseball there are 18 packs of 8 cards. You should find one autograph and one relic card per box and boxes currently run for under $60.

Each box also comes with a box topper.

The 1970 Topps Super Baseball toploader set also has rare autograph versions numbered to 25 copies.

BASE CARDS:

The base card design revisits the 1970 design just like it did for regular Heritage.

Before I continue, we have to bring in the CMP code talk as there are variations and Sp's to find in this product. If I know about these Sp's ahead of time, I usually look card by card at the CMP code located at the bottom right hand corner on the back of the card and see if I have any that are different. I find doing it pack by pack not to be as much of a pain as looking at the very end. It also gives me time to check out the card backs which many ignore.

Back on topic, let's check out the CMP codes to find the variations and base.

• Base 1-200 end #636
• Base SP 201-220 end #650
• Image Variations end #651
• Missing Name Variations end #652

 Tim Tebow

 ends in 36

However, these.....

End in 50 which makes them the Sp that make up base cards 201-220. Which is an extended part of the base set. I didn't find any other form of Sp or variations in my box.

 Sporting News subset

League Leaders subsets.

Parallels:

I think it's normal just to pull the one parallel per box which helps with value on these. This one numbered to 99/

Overall look at parallels include,
Blue /99, Black /50, Flip Stock, Gold /15 and Red 1/1.

INSERTS:

 Fantastic Feats has 20 cards in the set to collect

Fresh On Scene finds 30 cards to collect has a fresh design I totally dig.

 And you will find two of these per box as well. Go grab your chance!

HITS:

Clubhouse Collection relic

 Tristan Pompey auto

Fresh On The Scene Brock Deatherage

Bonus auto! Can't complain!

Other hits not found in my box but found in yours could be,

• Real One Dual Autographs
• 1970 Mint Autograph Relic
• Bazooka Autographs
• 1970 Mint Relics

Find the complete checklist HERE.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I didn't recognize any of the name I hit in here, but what I do know is this is a product to sit on. You may not know the names now, but in two to three years you might. And for under $60 how can you not want to take a shot here. There are also some big names to find in this product for autographs as well. Minor League products don't get enough love.

If you want in on a box break of this product without paying box prices, I suggest Midwest Box Breaks as they pull fire!

Please make sure to take a minute out to thank Topps for providing this box for me to review and to be able to add cards to the giveaway on Twitter I am hosting. Please follow me there to enter @SportCardCollec. Also follow Topps on all social media sites and visit their SITE, as well 

REVIEW:2017 Topps Heritage Minors Baseball

For the prospectors in us, there is a great line of Bowman products but there is also a Topps minors line. Today's review is of one of those products and it's from everyone's favorite throwback product, Heritage.

Let's see how this break went.

In every hobby box of 2017 Topps Heritage Minors is 18 Packs with 8 Cards Per Pack. Boxes come with one autograph and one relic per. Boxes run around $50 currently.

Today's stars of Minor League Baseball are featured on the 1968 Topps base card design with the burlap bag look just like with the MLB version. 

There are 220 cards in the base set.

Some of the Key Prospects you will find in here are, Amed Rosario, Micker Adolfo, Leody Taveras, Mickey Moniak, Luis Alexander Basabe, Greg Allen, Chance Adams, Alex Kiriloff, Nick Senzel, Bobby Dalbec, Clint Frazier, Estevan Florial, Ryan Mountcastle, Zack Collins, Jake Bauers, Bobby Bradley, Fernando Tatis Jr., Gleyber Torres, Ozzie Albies, Austin Hays, Eloy Jimenez, Chance Sisco, Forrest Whitley, Kyle Tucker, Willie Calhoun, Michael Kopech, Walker Buehler, Rhys Hoskins, Bo Bichette, and Rafael Devers.

Just like the 2017 Topps Heritage MLB product, the minor leagues also have tough-to-pull variation short prints. There is Facsimile Signature Variations that fall 1:328 packs and Error Variations fall 1:82. You can confirm if you have one once again by using the code system in the small print at the bottom corner of the card. Base cards have two different endings this time around. Some end in 08, others in 13.  Short prints that run 201-220 end in 18. Facsimile Signature variations cards end in 19 while Errors end in 20.

There are also parallels to find in the product. Seems like they fall one-per-box. I pulled this Blue Border Parallel

 

There is also, Gray Border Parallel that are numbered to 25 and Orange Border Parallel  Numbered 1/1.

Insert time!

Baseball America All-Stars showcase top prospects across all levels of Minor League Baseball using the Baseball America name like a cover. These fall 1:6 packs.

1968 perimeter-cut cards pay homage to the originals in 1968 with today's top Minor League stars. These fall 1:5 packs.

I dig these. 1968 Topps Game Mascots. They fall 1:9 packs.

Every box also comes with two code cards, mine didn't upload into this post for some reason, that gives you a chance at the Make Your Pro Debut promotion. That promo allows you to get a full day experience of the minor leagues including your own baseball card. Really cool! Wished there was a MLB version.

Now onto the hits! 

Real One Autographs are simply just on-card autos featured on the 1968 design. They have parallels of, Blue Border Parallel, Gray Border Parallel and Orange Border Parallel.

'68 Mint Relics was my next pull. First time I have seen one of these. It's a nickel minted in 1968.I think it's a cool relic but don't think everyone will agree. Sometimes not finding a plain jersey swatch is a good thing.

 

There is also Gray Quarter Parallel, Black Quarter Parallel and Autograph Relic Parallel.

Other hits not found in my box are, Fantastic Feats Autographs, Looming Legacy Autographs

and Clubhouse Collection Relics

OVERALL, price is pretty solid for a prospecting product. Some big names mixed in with some lesser names which makes prospecting even more fun. If you are a fan of minor league collecting or like prospecting I can't see why you wouldn't want to dig into a box of this.

Please make sure to take a minute out to thank Topps for providing this box for me to review as they help provide prizes for me to giveaway in the MLB Pick Em Promotion! Follow Topps on all social media sites and visit their SITE, as well 

Winner Of The 2016 Topps Heritage Minors Auto Contest!

Another contest is in the books. Nobody guessed the number right on and a few were close but over. Only one was within 4.....

 

 

And here is that comment. The final one on the contest.

 

Steve Perry October 16, 2016 at 8:56 PM

38/99

Congrats to Steve Perry who takes home the autographed card! Please email sportcardcollectors@hotmail.com within the next 48 hours with the subject line MILB Winner to claim your prize! If not, it will be re-given away in a future contest.

Thanks to everyone who entered! There is currently one more contest going on so click on the link to the right of the blog to enter! Good Luck!

REVIEW:2016 Topps Heritage Minors+AUTO GIVEAWAY!

I can honestly say I haven't ever busted a hobby box of Topps Heritage Minor League before as I strictly have stuck to hobby packs in the past. So I was curious how a full hobby break would go.

 

I guess 2016 was a good year to start as here are some highlights to this years:

• For the first time ever, Topps Heritage Minor League Baseball will have ON-CARD autos of the biggest MiLB stars.
• This year's release will pay tribute to Topps' 1967 design just like it's MLB counterpart
• A more friendly price point and configuration.

So let's see how it went. You know what to do, READ ON!

In each box of 2016 Topps Heritage Minors is 18 Packs with 8 Cards Per Pack. Boxes run a bit cheaper than the MLB version at $50 and comes with 2 hits including one on-card autograph and one relic card.

The base cards as I stated above, use the 1967 Topps design. I think these look great with the combo of the minor league uniforms. Makes them look really authentic.

There is a 200-card base set, including a replication of the 1967 League Leaders cards.

Just like in 1967, the subsets of Batting Leaders and Pitching Leaders are included.

The base set also includes Variations that are easy to define. I just didn't find any to show you.

And with any Topps product or any product in general, there are base cards parallels to be found.

• - Blue Border Parallel /99
• - Peach Border Parallel /25.
• - Black Border Parallel numbered 1/1.
• - Printing Plates numbered 1/1.

I pulled 3 Blue Border parallels.

 

There isn't much for insert content in Heritage Minors as opposed to the MLB version, but I am not opposed to that as sometimes products use inserts as fillers. The design of the inserts and the Topps Sticker insert cards look great paying homage to the 1967 Topps stickers with an insert (not actual stickers as I tried to peel them before doing my research).

Here are the 1967 Topps Sticker Insert

Includes Mascots!

MINOR MIRACLES: Highlighting the most miraculous Minor League Baseball performances.

Other inserts not found in my box are....

BASE CARD MYSTERY REDEMPTIONS: These are a limited mystery redemption for a base card of a top 2016 MLB Draft pick in his MiLB uniform. Seems kind of an odd insert, guess I would have to see what they look like and why they were added. I mean, it's a base card.

"MAKE YOUR PRO DEBUT" PROMOTION cards you should find two per box of. This once-in-a-lifetime MiLB experience is available exclusively through Topps Heritage Minor League Baseball! I haven't scratched my cards yet to see if I won but will soon!

 

Just look at what the 2015 winner got to do with the Durham Bulls:

• Received his own locker in the Bulls clubhouse, fully equipped with a game uniform and equipment
• Participated in pre-game warm-ups and batting practice
• Presented the lineup card at home plate
• Threw the ceremonial first pitch

Don't tell me that's not cool. Here is what those cards look like:

Now onto the hits.

My first hit is an Clubhouse Collection of an upcoming star in Clint Frazier.

There are parallels to these as well:

• Peach Parallel numbered to 25.
• Black Patch Parallel featuring a multi-color jersey patch and is numbered 1/1.

Other relic finds not in my box are coin relics. I know some think of these as gimmicky, but I really dig em! I think my stamp/coin of Griffey I traded for was probably my favorite pickup so far this year for JR.

67 MINT Relics are new to this years product. They feature an MiLB stars alongside a U.S. nickel from 1967.

These have parallels of:

• Peach Quarter Parallel - showcasing a 1967 U.S. quarter. Sequentially numbered to 25.
• Black Quarter Parallel - showcasing a 1967 U.S. quarter. Numbered 1/1.

My autograph pull was a Real One Autograph on-card. These are just signed on there base cards.

Just because I didn't hit a big winner on my auto, doesn't mean he won't become one and it doesn't mean some of the money guys aren't in here, take a look:

Key Prospect Autographs included in this product are Dansby Swanson, Alex Bregman, Austin Meadows, Andrew Benintendi, Clint Frazier, Orlando Arcia, J.P. Crawford, Alex Reyes, and Ozzie Albies.

Other autographs not found in my box are:

 

ATTRIBUTES AUTOGRAPHS: Featuring today's MiLB standouts on a comic book-inspired design!

• Black Border Parallel - numbered 1/1.

LOOMING LEGACY AUTO: Active MiLB veteran stars will be featured on a design that is so 1960's!

• Black Border Parallel - numbered 1/1.

Overall, for price point, I think a box is worth a look. I can't call this box a complete dud despite not hitting it big. Cause, this is minor league, any of these guys can step up at anytime and that means it drives the value. I do like the simplicity without the complicated short prints like the MLB version and it's definitely a fun break for those prospectors especially with the 1967 design. I don't think it's for those chasing the big hits, but it has it's fan base and following.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Now onto how to win this card and remember I am trying something NEW so remember to FOLLOW ALL NEW STEPS on how to enter.

Earlier I showed you my BLUE PARALLEL pulls from the box that's numbered to 99. Keep this in mind when reading below...

RULES:

1. Please make sure to take a minute out to thank Topps for providing this box for me to review and to host this/these nice giveaways with. Follow them on all social media sites and visit their site, HERE, as well.
2. ***VERY IMPORTANT***MUST BE A U.S. RESIDENT to enter or have a shipping address in the U.S. Shipping costs have gone haywire and I can't afford to ship everywhere.This is always hard to do as I appreciate all readers but I hope you all understand non-U.S. readers.
3. Random winner will be chosen after 7 randoms
4. Card may be shipped PWE. I like to forewarn on this.
5. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW telling me ONE PRO AND ONE CON OF THE PRODUCT.
6. Also, take a guess on what the number out of 99 is on the Kaprielian blue. Such as 55/99. The person with the closest or correct guess without going over wins the auto! In this contest, you control if you win or lose!
7. YOU CAN ENTER DAILY WITH A NEW GUESS. Yes, tell me your guessed number if you so choose!
8. You must AT LEAST do steps 5 and 6 to be entered. 7 is optional.
9. Sport Card Collectors or it's owner (person who runs the blog), WILL NOT be held responsible for lost, stolen or damaged mail. Sorry had to add this in since someone tried to scam me once about this.
10. Contest starts today, ends on October 16th 2016. Winner will be announced in a separate post on  October 17th 2016
11. Don't forget to thank the above sponsor of this contest and I won't mind a thank you as well :)

Good luck to all that enter and thanks for reading!

Breakin Wax DOUBLE HEADER: 2014 Topps Heritage Minors + 2015 Topps Debut 2-Pack Each Breaks

To kick off vacay Breakin Wax week, I thought I would show off my first minor league break ever. I am not one to usually buy these types of products, but with my Kris Bryant chase leading me there (I still only have one card), I said why not?

The first thing I busted was 2 hobby packs of 2014 Topps Heritage Minor League. I have always been a fan of Heritage, so I figured it would be a great place to start.

In every pack of 2014 Topps Heritage Minors, you get 9 cards and having bought at a card shop I got them for $3 each. I believe boxes contained 4 hits so I was hoping I had a good chance at something.....

Then my usual reality sat in.....these were the best of the best cards I got

This guy is a beast. Was happy for this one.

Road To The Show of Bubba. My lone insert pull but in two packs can't go wrong.

 

Next up, is 2015 Topps Pro Debut. Once again the hope for some minor league stars was on! I am also a fan of the 2015 Topps design for baseball so knowing this product had it, I didn't have a problem trying it. I actually did a lot better with these.

Once again, it's another two pack break.

In every pack of 2015 Topps Pro Debut, you get 8 cards and having bought at a card shop I got them for $3 each. The hobby box was mostly untouched and each box comes with a decent amount of hits so I felt good about my chances.

But, once again, no hits were found. At least this time I pulled some decent base card players.

Overall, nothing big but it did help stock up my prospect collection a little in my first attempts at opening up minor league product. Sometimes you just never know which of these guys will pass or fail. Even the big names don't always prove themselves and sometimes the little guys do. Kinda why I don't put a lot of stock in one player collections too often and get a variety of players.

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TOPIC:

What are your thoughts on Minor League cards?