This one is a quick idea for a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- 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 something to think about.

This time? Young MLB stars I'd be eyeing on cardboard right now (some obvious choices).

THE NEXT BIG THING ...
New York Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez makes his MLB cardboard debut in 2020 Bowman 1st Edition which will be followed up by the standard 2020 Bowman release soon. The 17-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic is getting a boatload of attention here -- and the prices on his base cards in this debut release are nutty (for a base card) but justified (given the type of release), so I present a strategy. If you're going to chase him, get one of his parallels instead -- preferably a numbered version. Yes, it will cost you more but it might be a safer long-term hold since they will be rarer than the standard card. If he delivers big, it won't matter -- all will be in demand -- but the numbered stuff will be safer either way. Also a thought? If you can't go there on this one, consider he's got stuff in 2019 Panini Prizm Draft Picks and 2019 Elite Extra Edition -- including autographs -- as well as 2019 Leaf Metal Draft.

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

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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: Topps 206 is coming back, big pulls, Zion Williamson makes an appearance, Project 2020 and plenty more in today's jumbo-sized edition.

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With plenty of chatter about what an MLB season might (or might not) consist of this year -- and nothing yet firm -- it seems like many of the typical traditions and events that we're used to are potentially going out the window.

That's not necessarily a bad thing in some ways -- it will allow MLB to do some dramatic tinkering and some of those it might have wanted to try but couldn't pull it off for a myriad of reasons. But one thing that might not be possible or may have to wait until after the regular season ends is the All-Star Game.

The series of events that are all tied to that event include the prospector must-see Futures Game, an always forgettable (yet oddly watchable) All-Star Celebrity Softball Game and the gem of them all if you ask me ... the Home Run Derby.

And that leads to this month's item, which I was intending to hold until July, but, well, ... you know (cue the Cardi B wail) "Coronavirus!"

Keep reading to see this month's item ...

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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: MLB discussions, Project 2020, big pulls, Pat McAfee signing, a run on repacks and ... the next big bump? (?)

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2013 Panini Select baseball cards 
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (when available) -- click here for hotter Prizm baseball boxes

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

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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: Scorching slabs, Project 2020, Sports Illustrated on cardboard, MLB & NBA breaks in today's edition.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The lot: 2020 Donruss baseball cards (six Dollar Tree packs)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

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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: Project 2020 chatter and teasers, Star Wars Day, The Last Dance, Zion Williamson, break highlights and "if they only knew" in some old break videos.

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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: "Is Jasson Dominguez baseball's Zion?" and plenty more to be found in today's edition.

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The Next Big Thing is here ... in more ways than one.

Circumstances of why 2020 Bowman 1st Edition cards exist are a bummer -- the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the arrival of the standard release that's an annual collecting staple of many -- but this simpler logo-enhanced version of that set is starting out of the gates perhaps hotter than anyone could have imagined. Why? Prospectors and New York Yankees fans want to get their hands on the first MLB cards of a potential future star in the first prospect release of the year.

The unusual conditions that led to this one -- Topps' primary printing location was closed with the standard Bowman cardboard left playing the waiting game -- also led to a non-traditional release format for the 1st Edition created elsewhere. This release was initially offered via Topps.com by the pack -- limit 24 packs (one box) -- and sold out quickly over the span of its three initial public offerings. A portion of the print run also was allocated to a number of Topps dealers, too, to help their businesses in this unusual and challenging time. (That said, we're buying these boxes as it's firmly on the Blowout's Most Wanted list -- keep reading.)

The Jasson Dominguez Sky Blue Foil parallel you see above? It's got an asking price of $2,999 right now on eBay -- but that may not even be the craziest development so far.

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The 2020 Topps Now Derek Jeter Career Retrospective baseball cards are here.

Topps' new monthly program is a little different than the standard Topps Now cardboard we would be having with an MLB season right now. These cards, which will be printed to order after a month-long window are $22.22 apiece but printed on 24-point Chrome stock with parallels also potentially found in place of a standard card in your order direct from Topps.

Jeter's moments begin at the end with the Yankees retiring his number in 2017 for card No. 1. Each card will include Jeter's thoughts on the back as well.

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This one is a quick idea for a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- 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 something to think about.

This time? Five boxes Buzz would be ripping right now ... for a few reasons.

IT'S DELIVERED FOR ME ...
2020 Topps Heritage hobby box
This year's MLB season may not be here yet -- just like a lot of its cardboard -- but this brand without a premium price tag has delivered well for me a couple times. If you're a fan of throwback styles and traditional stuff, you should know this already -- Heritage is a must-do -- but if you're more of a newer collector this is a brand that has been going for 20 years and been popular. You don't land ink every time but when you do it can impress with some big potential. The quirks and variations here also add to the potential.

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

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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: Big pulls, pondering sports cards when action returns, NFL investments, Autographics and more.

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

GRADING THE PHENOM
The Card: Baby Yoda ("The Child") 2019 Star Wars Living Set #58
The Reason Graded: I picked up a few of these since I knew they'd be hot -- it set a record with 9,663 copies sold that shows how it definitely was in demand. However, that volume is significantly higher than anything else in the set and that  can also lead to lower re-sale prices as those who bought in bulk want to move them. (They have more competition.) Grading-wise, this one is the big leader, too, but I still wanted to chase a 10.
The Grade: BGS 9.5

Reality Check: I came close but ultimately checked in where most cards here do. Nearly 50 cards from the set have been graded and this guy is on 29 of them. Only two other copies have five or more graded copies and that leaves the rest as population-one cards. I didn't get a 10 but I'm fine with this mark as the stock does seem like it might be a tougher grade than other types.

Keep reading for more of this month's pick-ups and new slabs for Buzz.

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Derek Jeter's Hall of Fame enshrinement may have to wait until next year, but the new cardboard push is coming from Topps.

Up first? A new Topps Now line launching this Saturday with Jeter’s autograph attached on cards noting "his biggest moments and milestones" among projects that will "bring his perspective to life through one-of-a-kind collections."

It's part of plans in a multi-year deal that will include "experiential, one-of-a-kind events and limited products and Jeter will collaborate with Topps in many new ways across its physical, digital and e-commerce products." It will include the former Yankees shortstop as part of the creative process. There will be the Captain’s Collection and Jeter also take part in the One of One Club, which will give "fans the ability to create their own unique 1/1 Jeter Topps card, which will then be signed by Jeter at a One of One Club event."

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What: 2020 Break King Baseball Premium Edition
Arrives: May 1
Box basics: Two graded buyback cards and one encased card per box (three boxes per case)
Order: Click here (live soon)

What's buzz-worthy: Fans of MLB stars' prospect cards and Rookie Cards (and other rookie-year releases) have a new buyback option in the works that will include two graded cards in every box.

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What: 2020 Bowman Transcendent Collection baseball cards
Arrives: Aug. 26
Box basics: 33 autographs and more per box
Checklist: Click here
Order: Click here

What's buzz-worthy: Transcendent turns to the prospecting realm with the familiar formula of inclusions with 1955 Bowman getting the Superfactor nod and the players including Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez for starters.

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

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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: Getting back into collecting and then a number of breaks -- including cases of Ginter and Heritage -- that are worth a look.

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This one is a quick idea for a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- 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 something to think about.

This time? Five players (and cards) I'd want to see in the next rendition of Topps Project 2020. (Would it be Project 2021?)

BAT DOWN, HANDS DOWN
Ronald Acuña Jr.'s bat-down SP variation in 2018 Topps Series 2 is perhaps the most-iconic of all of the Rookie Cards in basic Topps sets in recent years, and I think it would be a no-brainer as a card to bat lead-off on a second project like Topps Project 2020 -- an effort where artists re-create memorable cards from the past for 20 players. The list is one that skews old -- just five players are from 1990 and beyond and only two who debuted in the 2000s -- while the top sellers (so far) have skewed young and that makes me wonder what/who might be popular the next time around. They have to do this again, right? (For the purposes of this list, I'm ignoring the realities of licensing -- some players are potentially not available to Topps or licensing could impose other limitations. (That's what I don't know.) What I do know is a collection of 20 takes on this Acuña would probably get me every time as it's such a good starting point.

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

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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: Unpopular collecting opinions, Project 2020, MLB Rookie Card sleepers and big pulls to round things out in today's edition.

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Update (April 28): More info and a preview video has been added.

--

With 2020 Bowman awaiting release but in COVID-19 limbo sitting in its near-final stages down in Texas at closed printing facilities, Topps has looked another direction in an effort to get some new prospects' baseball cards into collectors hands sooner.

It's a First Edition 2020 Bowman that will be found in 10-card packs soon and was teased by the company on Wednesday.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2020 Topps Series 1 baseball cards 
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com
First Buzz preview with checklist/SPs/more: Click here

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: Baseball Power Cube baseball repack (MJ Holding)
Where to buy: Retail outlets ($19.99)

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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: The Last Dance, NFL breaks, Jim Thome's best cards, remembering when, Definitive delivers and "is Babe Ruth really the greatest baseball player ever?" (Yes.)

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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: New MLB pulls, Project 2020 teasers, Zion Williamson and Panini Mosaic, NXT and more in today's edition.

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