Fast Five: MLB names I'm watching in the postseason

Fast Five is a quick list that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection or new focus -- five things that could be fun for a beginner or a new way to add something to your stash if you're a grizzled veteran.

This time? Five MLB names I'm watching in the postseason ...

THE NEW KID ...
Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (prospect cards since 2019, RC in 2021)
I've been sold on him since early in the year, but the postseason and anything this newcomer does will get a lot more attention with the Mariners' successes already surprising some and with more prime time attention to come. His first season in The Show got him a new monster deal (12 years, $209M) before it was even over -- so he'll be a key in Seattle for some time -- after a year that had him hitting .284 with 28 homers and 75 RBI in 132 games. His RC logo cards this year have been trickling out in SP form for the most part but there will be more to come -- and then there's his Rookie Card and prospect cards to look for, too, from past years. He's hyped and he's pricey but if he and his team can get things done in the postseason -- something the Hall of Famer called Kid didn't -- he'll be a money guy even more than now and for some time. (I'm not sure that'll happen, though, but it could.) I'm not a big fan of how his autograph looks so I won't overpay there, but I think we'll see a lot of good cardboard coming for him to go with fun stuff from the past.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

THE BIG BOPPER
Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies (prospect cards since 2013, RCs in 2016)
If you poke around in past picks pieces here, Schwarber has come up ... and since those past items he went out and had a career-year in several ways this season. He'll always be remembered for being part of the Cubs World Series winner in 2016, of course, and he has a ton of stuff from around that time, too, but his 46 homers this season with his new team not only led the National League but also set a career-high mark (38 in 2019). His batting average was rough (.218) as were the strikeouts (a league-leading 200) but he had 100 runs for the first time in his career and his 126 hits came up just a couple games short of a career-high. He also tied his career-high for triples, while his 94 RBI were a high for him as were his 10 -- 10! -- stolen bases and 86 walks. He was an All-Star for the second time in his career and he's only 30 next year. His cards have been cheap in recent years (probably the batting average and his bouncing around) but I think he's worth the look ... and he's signed for the next three years to help the team core. He's the oldest guy here likely with the most cardboard ... his stuff starts way back in USA Baseball sets basically a decade ago.

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THE NEW SPARK
Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves (prospect cards since 2020, RCs to come in 2023)
There's a lot to collect on the defending World Series champions right now but a lot of people know those names so there aren't a lot of cheaper quality options -- unless you like pitching -- but I'll pop this guy here as a reminder to be ready for next year where his RCs will start flowing and leading the way. He doesn't have a lot of prospect cards out there -- I only have some of his in-pack MiLB stuff -- but the start for what does exist right now is in 2020 Bowman Draft (above). Harris might lose the NL Rookie of the Year to a teammate -- Spencer Strider had a record-setting rookie season this year -- but he made an impact in only 114 games where he hit .297 with 19 homers and 64 RBI for a team that should make a run. He came up one longball short of the 20-20 Club but in a full season he sure looks like he could/should be a 30-30 guy. That lineup is loaded, young and signed for the long haul ... Braves guys should be bargain-shopped hard.

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THE ACE WITH POTENTIAL
Triston McKenzie, Cleveland Guardians (prospect cards since 2014, RCs in 2021)
I called him the ace above because he might end up there on the field and cardboard. Sure, there's That Shane Bieber Guy who went 13-8 this year but McKenzie's numbers are not far off ... and he's cheap. This 24-year-old went 11-11 with a 2.96 ERA and 190 Ks in 191-plus innings -- the same K-per-nine as Bieber and one fewer hits per nine, too. His Living Set debut (above) was the first Guardians baseball card after the team revamp, giving it some symbolism beyond the typical item and he's got a good amount of past stuff and cheap RCs to look at. I'd be bargain-hunting.

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BIG NAME, NEW PLACE ... 
Juan Soto, San Diego Padres (prospect cards since 2016, RCs in 2018)
He's got a World Series ring, he's young and he's already got the future Hall of Famer tag appropriately placed on him, too. But he's part of a new team loaded with talent and a lot of expectations -- a rival to the other loaded NL team, the Dodgers -- so big showings on a big postseason stage are what's expected -- and what might spark more interest in his old stuff as well as the cards on his new team. How long will he stay there? That probably depends on how this postseason goes. He's not cheap but he's worth the look.

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What would you want to see in a future Fast Five? Let Buzz know on Twitter or email.

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