Buzz Break: 2018 Panini Stars & Stripes USA Baseball (hobby)

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 Panini Stars & Stripes USA Baseball cards (hobby)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

Packs per box: 8
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 40
Longevity base set completion: 
28 of 100 (28 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Alex Rodriguez, Alex Faedo, Seth Beer, Jake Burger, Cadyn Grenier, Brendan McKay, Dylan Crews, Roc Riggio, CNT team, Dallas Woolfolk, Jon Olsen, Konnor Pilkington, Nick Meyer, Steele Walker, Tim Cate, Tyler Holton, Joseph Menefee, Mason Denaburg, Michael Siani, Alek Boychuk, Mac Guscette, Masyn Winn, Michael Flores, Tanner Witt, Alex Lange, Quentin Holmes, Hans Crouse, K.J. Harrison

Insert cards: 6 (all in gallery below along with a few base cards)
Longevity parallel (5) – Evan White, Nick Meyer, Brandon Dieter, Michael Flores, Tyler Frank
USA parallel (1) – Steele Walker (/25)

Autographs/Memorabilia: 6
18U National Team Signatures (2) – Ethan Hankins, Carter Young (/499)
Collegiate National Team Signatures (1) – Bryce Tucker (/499)
Silhouettes Signatures (1) – Davis Diaz (/99)
Tools of the Trade Prime (1) – Nick Meyer (/25)
Prime Signatures  (1) – Steele Walker (/25) 

What's Buzz-worthy: With a new baseball season here, we're seeing prospects getting fresh starts and the start of the hype train for the upcoming MLB Draft, too, but in the case of one player here it's not really hype. (And that's why I'm ripping.) I didn't land him this time, but these are the home of cards of Kumar Rocker, a Vanderbilt pitcher who's a contender to be the No. 1 overall pick along with teammate Jack Leiter. I busted a ton of this one at retail that year -- blasters typically had and auto and a mem in every box and often a third hit, too -- but I never ripped into hobby, which has one hit per and typically two hits in one pack. In this case, that was a meaty thick pack with a pair of patch/auto cards -- click the image at right for a closer look. The names here for hits? Perhaps not the A-level guys but some that are still playing -- one potentially in this year's draft class, one playing for Vandy and some in the minors or on the verge of some MLB time. There's a lot to be found here -- even some ink from past USA players who you'll know from their MLB careers -- as well as young prospects and young stars. It's worth the rip if you're looking for some decent hit volume and big-ink potential without spending big money. (Leiter's appearance has the 2019 boxes scorchers at the moment as his stuff, like Rocker, is worth a serious look.)

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A- (some nice patch cards here)
Fun Grade: A-

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