Carding Baseball America's MLB Prospects Hot Sheet (July 22)

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. Michael Baumann, RHP, Orioles — Double-A Bowie Baysox
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Baumann came within one out of a no-hitter on April 30. He got another chance last week and, this time, completed the feat. Baumann threw a no-hitter with two walks and 10 strikeouts against Double-A Harrisburg in his first start last week, his most dominant start in a season full of them. The 2017 third-rounder is 3-5, 2.80 with 113 strikeouts and 33 walks in 86.2 innings this year between high Class A Frederick and Double-A Bowie, cementing himself as one of the Orioles’ most promising pitching prospects."

CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 60
First Chrome auto: 2018 Bowman Chrome
One auto to consider: 2017 Elite Extra Edition
Buzz’s card take: About half of his seriously low card volume is thankfully certified ink so that's good that he has them -- but it's also bad news in that it means there is less stuff for buyers to fight over when he has performances like this. The two products above are the only places to find his autos. In three MiLB season, he's 20-12 with a 2.74 ERA and 262 strikeouts with 259 innings pitched. Those are solid numbers overall mostly fueled by this season's strikeouts.

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

2. Jonathan Bowlan, RHP, Royals — High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks
Baseball America’s highlight line: “When the Royals drafted five straight college pitchers to start their 2018 draft, Bowlan was the fifth of those five picks. But he’s the first of the five to throw a no-hitter. He threw a complete-game, nine-inning no-hitter to beat Carolina, striking out nine. When Bowlan is on, he eats up hitters with his heavy, 92-97 mph fastball, but it’s his fastball command that has helped him earn a promotion to Wilmington."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 35
First Chrome auto: None yet
One auto to consider: 2018 Elite Extra Edition
Buzz’s card take: He barely has cardboard but the good news is almost 25 of them are inked -- all in last year's Elite Extra Edition and Contenders Draft Picks. In two MiLB seasons, he's 11-7 with a 3.95 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 143 innings but it's this season that makes up a huge chunk -- 121 Ks in 108 innings with a 10-3 record. His lack of cards make what he has worth a watch and when his first Chromes arrive that intensifies if he keeps pitching well. 

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3. Gavin Lux, SS, Dodgers — Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers
Baseball America’s highlight line: “What Lux has done over the past month is truly special. It’s almost incomprehensible. Over the past 30 days, Lux has hit .469. In the past month, Lux has three four-hit games and a five-hit game. He hit home runs in five straight games. And he’s showing that a Dodgers lineup that is already incredibly deep might need to figure out a way to find a spot for another potential impact bat. The Dodgers have given Lux time at second base ever since he reached full season ball in 2017, so it could be an option."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 350
First Chrome auto: 2016 Bowman Draft
One auto to consider: 2015 Leaf Perfect Game releases
Buzz’s card take: About a third of his cards are autos -- so it's still a low number but not like others you have seen this week. He's in his fourth MiLB season and he's hit .302 with 42 homers and 177 RBI in 365 games, so the season he's putting up isn't an anomaly while he's also putting up career-highs. That, combined with his team, makes for a good cardboard combo ... as long as he has a place to play. What's Corey Seager's contract status again?

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4. Trey Supak, RHP, Brewers — Double-A Biloxi Shuckers
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Supak has been one of the most reliable starting pitchers in the minors this year, but it’s his plus control that really stands out. Supak has worked six or more innings in 14 of his 19 starts because he’s extremely pitch efficient. This week’s start was his fifth of the season where he allowed just one hit while working five or more innings."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 160
First Chrome auto: 2014 Bowman Draft 
One auto to consider: 2014 Elite Extra Edition
Buzz’s card take: He's got fewer than 50 autographed cards but those are from way back in 2014 and 2015 -- and nothing since. With that much time passed, he could be bargain material if he makes progress and arrives in MLB, though his career stats are a a tad basic -- 28-26 with a 3.12 ERA and 413 strikeouts in 478 innings. He's 10-4 this season which is his best campaign of his career.

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5. Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers — Double-A Erie SeaWolves
Baseball America’s highlight line: “The Tigers’ No. 5 prospect has been lights out all season long and continued his dominance this week. The lefthander carved up Double-A Richmond’s lineup, fanning a season-high 13 batters. He topped out at 97 mph with his fastball and his plus curveball had hitters fishing late in counts."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): Just MiLB team sets
First Chrome auto: Still to come
One auto to consider: Still to come
Buzz’s card take: There's nothing new on cards for him since we saw him here last. There still should be some interest in his cards when they first arrive. He's clearly off the radar right now for card-makers but the more he's seen here the less likely that is to remain the same.

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