Buzz's Pick Six: 2019 Topps Opening Day baseball cards

Have you seen the latest cool cards from a new release? With so many options for collectors of all kinds arriving every week it's possible you haven't. That's where Buzz comes in -- well at least on one brand you'll see here from time to time in what we're calling Buzz's Pick Six. Simply put, here are six cards from a new arrival that seemed interesting to this collector and we think they might interest you, too.

This week's release: 2019 Topps Opening Day baseball cards (arrives Wednesday)

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THE ROOKIE ARRIVES 
The Card: Yusei Kikuchi 2019 Topps Opening Day #55 Rookie Card
The Price: Should be affordable ... but could surprise early on
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: Take a quick glance at the basic checklist and it should be apparent that this one might be the front-runner upon arrival. It's the MLB Rookie Card for a headline-generating rookie from Japan -- who will make his MLB debut for the Mariners later this month in Japan. He's set to be the starter for the second game of the Mariners' series against the Oakland A's in Tokyo. The 27-year-old is 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA and six strikeouts in nine innings this spring. He's a former Seibu Lins standout who went 74-48 with a 2.81 ERA in eight seasons.

Keep reading for five more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

DIGGING THE DUGOUT ...
The Card: Ronald Acuña Jr. 2019 Topps Opening Day Dugout Peeks #13
The Price: Should be in moderate demand ... but not too pricey.  Update: These should sell well as they are very tough pulls ... 1:2,560 in blasters. 
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This brand has often been about fun and one of the insert sets this season is this 20-card nod to some of the hijinks that can happen off the field. Ronald Acuña Jr. has not one but two cards in this set -- the other one a pairing with Ozzie Albies (not a shocker) -- and it's a set that includes a number of notable young players and key veterans -- Jose Altuve, Ichiro Suzuki, Aaron Judge, Manny Machado, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani can be found. I'd expect some non-traditional images to be found here ... and there's one other player making more than one appearance in the set. Could be some fun surprises. This card is also a teaser of something else worth noting later in this item. 

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SUBTLE FOCUS ... 
The Card: Mike Trout 2019 Topps Opening Day Sock It To Me #SM-9
The Price: Should be in moderate demand ... but not too pricey. Update: These are also tough pulls ... 1:804 in retail for starters.
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: This insert set isn't that much different than the base cards but it's built with a definite focus -- on players' sock habits. Looking at the 25-player list, it's definitely not a sluggers-only set so look for some varying legwear styles and colorful designs we've seen on the field in the past. I'm hoping for some non-traditional images in this set but figure that might irritate some collectors. That leaves me thinking does this card put enough focus on the socks and spark extra interest? We'll see. I like the concept, though. Baseball cards need to include different things as there's plenty of the standard stuff.

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MASCOTMANIA
The Card: Orbit 2019 Topps Opening Day Mascots #M-6
The Price: Affordable ... but priceless fun is possible here.
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The Atlanta Braves rookie mascot named Blooper bats lead-off in this 25-card set and Opening Day staple, but if you ask me it's Orbit who's the world champ of the modern-day mascot crop. He's easily a future Hall of Famer while the legends like the Phillie Phanatic are in this one, too. Check out that champ pose above -- he's showing off his World Series ring -- this is a card that if I pull it I will slab it. And here's hoping the same image is used for the Mascot Relic, Mascot Autos and Mascot Auto Relic sets ... I may chase all four. If you're wondering, Blooper is in all four sets, too. The hits have been tougher pulls in the past and the lineups are smaller (just seven in the Auto Relic set) but they can be unique and fun finds.

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ANNIVERSARY INCLUSION
The Card: Ichiro Suzuki 2019 Topps Opening Day 150 Years of Fun #YOF-21
The Price: Should be in moderate demand ... but not too pricey.
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The 150th anniversary of pro baseball gets a nod here as a companion to its big presence in the flagship release. This one is from a 25-card set that includes some of the biggest names in the history of the have as well as some more recent Hall of Famers and fan favorites. This could be an interesting set if we get legendary images of guys like Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Cal Ripken Jr., Ted Williams and a number of others having fun. I'll admit this one's not that flashy but there could be some unique cards in this set, too. 

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STADIUM SIGHTS TO SEE
The Card: Miami Marlins Bobblehead Museum 2019 Topps Opening Day Team Traditions & Celebrations #TTC-BM
The Price: Should be affordable.
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: These non-traditional cards have a little smaller presence here with just 10 cards showing us things you can see at the ballpark. Statues, stadium attractions, adjacent landmarks and other staples like the Arizona Diamondbacks' outfield pool all get cards here. This set won't be the flashiest or a big money-maker unless the odds are somehow tougher, but I dig it. Inserts combine to be found one per pack in this one so we should see plenty of variety when busting these boxes. 

Get your box here: 2019 Topps Opening Day baseball cards

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