Buzz Break: 2018 Donruss Optic baseball cards (Mega Box)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2018 Donruss Optic baseball cards (Mega Box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 10
Cards per pack: 4
Cards per box: 40
Set completion: 
10 of 100 (10 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Nolan Ryan, Buster Posey, Frank Thomas, Reggie Jackson, Manuel Margot, Nolan Arenado, Freddie Freeman, Orlando Arcia, Adrian Beltre, Noah Syndergaard

Insert/short-print cards: 29 (all in gallery below)
Variations (1) – Giancarlo Stanton (2017 MVP)
Rated Rookie Variation (1) – Walker Buehler (alternate text on back)
Rated Rookie (4) – Gleyber Torres, Scott Kingery, Zack Granite, Luiz Gohara
Diamond Kings (3) – Mookie Betts, Andrew McCutchen, Eric Hosmer
Holo Prizm (1) – Jose Ramirez
Holo Prizm Rated Rookie (1) – Thyago Vieira
Holo Prizm Diamond Kings (1) – Freddie Freeman
All-Stars (1) – Cody Bellinger
Out of This World (1) – J.D. Martinez
Bronze Holo Prizm (2) – Eddie Mathews, Gerrit Cole
Bronze Holo Prizm Rated Rookie (1) – Miguel Andujar
Bronze Holo Prizm Rated Rookie Variation (1) – Rafael Devers (Raffy Big Stick)
Bronze Holo Prizm Diamond Kings (1) – Bryce Harper
Red & Yellow Holo Prizm (5) – Eddie Mathews, Michael Conforto, Gerrit Cole, Marcus Stroman, Josh Donaldson
Red & Yellow Holo Prizm Variation (1) – Francisco Lindor (2X All-Star)
Red & Yellow Holo Prizm Rated Rookie (2) – Jack Flaherty, Ryan McMahon
Red & Yellow Holo Prizm Rated Rookie Variation (1) – Ozzie Albies (The ATL)
Red & Yellow Holo Prizm Diamond Kings (1) – Brian Dozier

Autographs/memorabilia: 1
Bronze Holo Prizm Rated Rookie Signatures (1) – Walker Buehler

What's Buzz-worthy: What a ride. Buzz bought a lot of Donruss when it arrived simply because of the serious star power and the sheer variety of what can still be inside those packs. Optic, while there are fewer cards, ups the ante on that one -- at least in these boxes -- with a mess of color (Bronze and Red & Yellow cards only found here), variations with parallels and, most importantly, a guaranteed autograph for just $35 at retail (likely Walmart only on this box but I have not confirmed that). The autograph in this case was of rookie Walker Buehler who was part of a combined no-hitter with the Dodgers earlier this season. How do you know you have a variation if it's not obvious? Check the backs and look for black baseballs instead of white ones -- see gallery. These boxes deliver almost double the cardboard than the blasters and they deliver a whopping 15 cards that are parallels only found in this format. The guaranteed ink makes this one a guaranteed rip when I see it. Its premium format means there will likely only (initially) be two boxes per store but I'd expect that there could be more to come this summer. (You never know, though.) Autographs won't always be the on-card Rated Rookies -- yes, I have at least one more Buzz Break to come soon -- but that was a nice surprise. With the strong rookie crop, the variations and the parallels, these boxes have strong potential in what they can deliver for less than the price of two blaster boxes.

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A
Fun Grade: A+

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

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