The first two Cubs in the set, and the focus of this post are Ryan Flaherty and Brett Jackson.
Ryan Flaherty was the Cubs second first round draft pick in 2008 out of Vanderbuilt University. They selected Andrew Cashner with their regular allotted pick and then Flaherty with a supplemental pick (41st overall) after losing Jason Kendall to free agency. He played in Boise in 2008 and Peoria in 2009 (the team shown on the card). By the time 2010 rolled around and this card was issued, Flaherty had moved up to the A+ affiliate, Daytona Cubs and later in the season, Double-A Tennessee Smokies. He continued on the right path in 2011, playing mostly in Tennessee but moved up to Triple-A Iowa for 49 games.
#23 Ryan Flaherty, Peoria Chiefs |
The next offseason, the Baltimore Orioles selected Flaherty in the Rule V draft. He has spent the past two seasons ('12 & '13) between their Triple-A affiliate, Norfolk Tides and the big league club.
This card was autographed during Spring Training last year, after he was already with Baltimore. Since he never made an appearance with the Cubs, he won't be in the ATCRCS set, making this likely the only Flaherty card I'll get autographed. Unless he was in some minor league team sets I have yet to acquire.
Brett Jackson was also a Cubs first round pick, this time #31 overall in 2009 out of UC, Berkeley. Also like Flaherty, Jackson has been climbing the ladder, spending time at each level along the way. He's been a pre-season Top 100 prospect for each of the past three years according to Baseball America.
In his MLB debut last August, Jackson went 2-4 with a walk and a run. Unfortunately, it was downhill after that. He finished the season having played in 44 games, batting .175 with 4 home runs and RBIs.
This season hasn't been much better. He was batting .223 at Iowa before a stint on the disabled list. I don't know if he's officially rehabbing or not but he is currently playing for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. He is listed on the Cubs 40-man roster so I wouldn't be surprised if he's given another chance come September. The Cubs are chasing a roster size record after all!
I'm about 90% sure I have a signed version of this card too but I couldn't find the scan.
EDIT: Found it! Now 100% sure...
#76 Brett Jackson |
In his MLB debut last August, Jackson went 2-4 with a walk and a run. Unfortunately, it was downhill after that. He finished the season having played in 44 games, batting .175 with 4 home runs and RBIs.
This season hasn't been much better. He was batting .223 at Iowa before a stint on the disabled list. I don't know if he's officially rehabbing or not but he is currently playing for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. He is listed on the Cubs 40-man roster so I wouldn't be surprised if he's given another chance come September. The Cubs are chasing a roster size record after all!
I'm about 90% sure I have a signed version of this card too but I couldn't find the scan.
EDIT: Found it! Now 100% sure...
Good idea for a post! Looking at how good Topps was at predicting "Who Will Make It" is pretty fun. Of the two Padres that I know that are in the '10 Pro Debut set, one is basically out of baseball and the other is their starting second baseman, so you win some, you lose some.
ReplyDeleteThanks! With 16 Cubs cards in that set, I should get some mileage out of this theme.
DeleteAnd the Padres should have more than two so sounds like something worth looking into for you too.