Fast Five is a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.

This time? Five MLB rookies I'd be watching this year ... at least based on the results so far.

RED ALERT
Jonathan India -- 3B, Cincinnati Reds (click here for autographed cards on eBay)
This one is about the numbers for me -- 10-for-21 (.476) with a double, triple and 10 RBI in his first six games of his big-league career. He's a known commodity for prospectors since he was the fifth-overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft and was a top-100 prospect at times since. However, in two MiLB seasons he hit just .254 with 17 homers and 67 RBI in 165 games (154 Ks) so there might not have been as much attention heading into this debut. He did hit .313 with three homers and seven RBI in 22 games this spring. Because he's been a high-profile player, he's already got a ton of cards -- more than 800 -- and nearly half of those are certified autos. His earliest ink is in 2014 Leaf Perfect Game releases and then his first MLB autos are in 2018 Bowman Draft. He's got ink from Panini America, too, in prospect releases and I'd be looking for bargain-priced ink here vs. the slabbed stuff with big prices attached. The 2014 autos are also somewhat appealing being so much earlier than the rest. Him having volume should give you more choices and more chances to find bargains compared to other guys on this list -- guys with scorching starts but fewer cards.

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

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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. Trevor Larnach, OF, Twins — High-A Fort Myers Miracle
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff get all the headlines in the Twins’ system, but Larnach has spent the season putting up very impressive numbers in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. He’s continued to adjust his approach to make his big-time power play to all fields, thus helping unlock his potential as a classic big, hairy monster who profiles in a corner outfield spot."

CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 140
First Chrome auto: 2018 Bowman Draft
One auto to consider: 2018 Bowman's Best
Buzz’s card take: About half of his cards are autographs, which is good, but it's still not a big number. His stats in two MiLB seasons are pretty strong with a .311 average and 11 homers and 70 RBI in 126 games since he was taken 20th overall in last year's draft. They aren't overwhelmingly amazing stats but he went 12-for-26 last week ... so that gets him here. I don't see any "big, hairy monster" stats beyond that so I'm not all that sold on his seasons so far.

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

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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. Joey Wentz, LHP, Braves — Double-A Mississippi Braves
Baseball America’s highlight line: “While his Mississippi rotation-mates have soared, Wentz has found Double-A to be a little more difficult. But lately there have been some very positive signs. His velocity has ticked back up to the 91-94 mph range, which helps his changeup play as the above-average and even plus pitch it can be at its best. Wentz tied his career high in strikeouts with nine on July 1 and then set a new career high with 10 strikeouts on July 6."

CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 225
First Chrome auto: 2018 Bowman
One auto to consider: 2015 Leaf Perfect Game
Buzz’s card take: That BA blurb didn't seem all that sold on him but the reason he's here might be his overall stats -- 19 strikeouts in 12-plus innings with just two runs and five walks in his last two starts. A 1.42 ERA ain't shabby, either. He doesn't have a lot of cards in general -- and just under 100 autographs -- despite arriving back in 2015 Leaf Perfect Game releases. His first Chrome autos arrived just last year so check those boxes if you were busy chasing Shohei Ohtani this time last year. The Braves are going to be getting plenty of looks from collectors with all their young talent ... so he's worth a look, too.

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

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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. Drew Waters, OF, Braves — Double-A Mississippi Braves
Baseball America’s highlight line: “It’s not like Waters wasn’t having an excellent season when June began. But his .416/.566/.828 June has unquestionably pushed him to the point where he is the most productive hitter in the Southern League. Waters now leads the league in nine major offensive categories including batting average (.338), slugging percentage (.535), OPS (.916), extra-base hits (36) and total bases (147). ... There are 35 Triple-A hitters slugging .550 or better. There are only three Double-A hitters slugging above .550."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 300
First Chrome auto: 2017 Bowman Draft
One auto to consider: 2016 Leaf Metal Perfect Game
Buzz’s card take: This isn't the first time you have seen him here and not much has changed for him on the cardboard front release-wise -- no new ink this year. As said last time, about a third of his autos can be found in the 2016 Leaf release, while his 2017 ink arrives in a number of prospect brands as a pro. He's a Top 100 prospect across the board but the Braves have plenty of talent on the roster -- so it's a good thing he's just 20.

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

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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. Wander Franco, SS, Tampa Bay Rays — Low-A Bowling Green Hot Rods
Baseball America’s highlight line: “In 108 minor league games, only one pitcher has managed to strike him out more than once. ... He has not struck out swinging since May 20, and has not struck out at all since May 24. ... Through June 2, Franco is hitting .326 in the Midwest League as an 18-year-old. Two years ago, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was in the Midwest League as an 18-year-old, he hit … .326."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 300
First Chrome auto: 2019 Bowman 
One auto to consider: 2018 Elite Extra Edition
Buzz’s card take: The bad news here? If you don't know his name, you're late to the party and that will cost you way more buying his autos. The good news here? First, he's being compared to Vladdy Jr., and second he's got plenty of ink -- about half of his cards come with autos -- and there are inevitably more on the way. Simple as that. Pulling his autos are the best way to go as buy-in prices for his first Chrome ink can be on the stupid side ... well, only if he doesn't deliver. (So far, he has.)

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

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Update: Riley has been on fire since his arrival with seven homers and 20 RBI in his first 14 games, hitting .375 (21-for-56) for the second-place Braves.

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The newest Atlanta Braves rookie to watch is here -- and he homered in his big-league debut.

He's outfielder/third baseman Austin Riley and he went 1-for-3 with a home run in his first game last night, a solo shot in just his second at-bat during a 4-0 win over the Cardinals.

Baseball America ranked him as the No. 22 prospect in baseball entering this season and he had torn things up at Triple-A Gwinnett, hitting .299 with 10 doubles, 15 homers and 39 RBI in 37 games this season.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Nothing but breaks and big pulls in today's edition.

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What: 2018 Elite Extra Edition baseball cards
Arrives: Dec. 5
Box basics: Eight autographs and two memorabilia cards per five-pack box (20 boxes per case)
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Elite once again arrives with a heavy emphasis on future stars and the hits -- with case cards that are limited to no more than 999 copies with 10 parallels apiece just like last year.

Keep reading for more as well as a full gallery of images.

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