Carding Baseball America's MLB Prospects Hot Sheet (Aug. 26)

Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. Dylan Carlson, OF, Cardinals — Triple-A Memphis Redbirds
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Carlson, who won’t turn 21 until the middle of October, has made a mark in the Cardinals’ upper levels. He blitzed the Texas League after opening as its fourth-youngest player, putting forth an OPS of .882 before moving to Triple-A Memphis. That mark still stands as the TL’s second-highest figure. He’s quickly adjusted to the Pacific Coast League, where he’s notched at least one hit in all 10 of his games."

CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 160
First Chrome auto: 2016 Bowman Draft 
One auto to consider: 2016 Elite Extra Edition
Buzz’s card take: Almost half of his cards are autos, so that's a good thing when seeing such a low overall number but that's also something that will help keep the competition on the auction block on the fierce side if people keep up with him. The Cardinals often have heavily watched prospects, so he's one who will get attention with a strong season.

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

2. Pavin Smith, 1B, Diamondbacks — Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Baseball America’s highlight line: “He’s actually been one of the best hitters in the Southern League, but the league has been so difficult for hitters. Smith ranks among the top 10 hitters in the league in average (.294), on-base percentage (.371) and slugging percentage (.474). Smith has been even better in the second half of the season -- he’s hitting .338/.407/.557 since the all-star break. Next year Smith’s numbers will likely blossom with a move to Triple-A Reno, but you’ll remember he started to put it together this year."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 400
First Chrome auto: 2017 Bowman Draft 
One auto to consider: 2017 Elite Extra Edition
Buzz’s card take: He's another guy where almost half of his cards are autos, so that's good. I do wonder whether he'd have immense gains upon arrival thinking about past Diamondbacks hitters and the hobby -- so modest looks and bargain hunting might be prudent here. 

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3. Orelvis Martinez, SS, Blue Jays — Gulf Coast League Blue Jays
Baseball America’s highlight line: “The Blue Jays last year dropped $3.51 million on Martinez, giving him the biggest bonus of any 16-year-old in the 2018-19 international signing period. He has rewarded their confidence thus far, standing out as one of the best prospects in the GCL, where he's hitting .270/.344/.525."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 90
First Chrome auto: Still to come
One auto to consider: 2019 Bowman Sterling
Buzz’s card take: He doesn't have a lot of cardboard -- or a lot of ink -- and you can only find his autos in two releases so far, Bowman Sterling and 2018 Elite Extra Edition. Sterling being a high-end brand might mean the autos trickle onto the market a little slower (though they are one per pack). The new arrivals in Sterling could mean more is on the way this year in Bowman brands -- also a good sign. 

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4. Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mariners — Double-A Arkansas Travelers
Baseball America’s highlight line: “The crown jewel of the trade that sent Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano to New York, Kelenic has been outstanding in his first full season as a pro. After starting in low Class A, he’s risen all the way to Double-A Arkansas and has left a trail of pummeled baseballs at each stop. He’s recorded a hit in all but three of his first 14 games in the Texas League and is just one stolen base away from a 20-20 season. He’s slated for the Arizona Fall League, and could make his debut just a few months after he turns 21 next July."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 620
First Chrome auto: 2018 Bowman Draft 
One auto to consider: 2017 Panini Contenders (USA Baseball)
Buzz’s card take: This former Mets prospect has a boatload of autos -- nearly 370 -- but I'd think that they might not have as much draw now as they did upon arrival. That's just a reality. Meanwhile, though, there could be more potential if he arrives and plays well because there are a lot of guys with some pop but none I'd argue are all that big on cardboard. Perhaps this guy could be it?

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5. Noelvi Marte, SS, Mariners — Dominican Summer League Mariners
Baseball America’s highlight line: “The Mariners kept Julio Rodriguez in the DSL for his first season and did the same this year with Marte. With the season wrapped up last week, Marte could follow Rodriguez to give the Mariners consecutive MVPs in the DSL, with Marte batting .309/.371/.511. While Marte isn't quite as polished as a hitter as Rodriguez was last year, he has more athleticism and offers more defensive value, a potential power/speed threat who torched the league with a .423/.477/.744 line in the season's final month."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 200
First Chrome auto: Still to come
One auto to consider: 2017 Elite Extra Edition 
Buzz’s card take: Again, about half of his cards are autos, which is good, but he hasn't yet had a standard Chrome auto. Seeing him in Sterling is again a good sign for more to come and that's a good thing considering his status.

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