Where Are They Now? 2011 Pro Debut Part 6

Last year I began a new series of posts giving an update on Cubs prospects that appeared in Pro Debut during its inaugural 2010 season. Three years seemed like a pretty good amount of time to follow up. With the release of the 2014 set, I restarted the series a few Sundays ago with players from 2011.

Previous entries can be seen here:

Part 1 (Hak-Ju Lee and Brandon Guyer) can be seen here.

Part 2 (Reggie Golden and Hunter Ackerman) can be seen here.
Part 3 (Aaron Kurcz and Austin Reed) can be seen here.
Part 4 (Elliot Soto and D.J. LeMahieu) can be seen here.
Part 5 (Dustin Geiger and Dallas Beeler) can be seen here.

Nicholas Struck was drafted by the Cubs in the 39th round of the 2009 draft. In 2010, he played for both the Single A Peoria Chiefs (the team pictured on the card) and had a brief stint with the High A Daytona Cubs.

A hot start in Daytona in 2011 led to two more level changes, first to Double A with the Tennessee Smokies and then up to the Triple A Iowa Cubs. Struck spent the entire 2012 season in Tennessee with a 14-10 record and a 3.18 ERA and was the Cub Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

He started 2013 in Iowa but after going 6-8 with a 6.17 ERA, he finished the year back in Tennessee. Struck was released by the Cubs at the end of Spring Training this year but just a few days later was signed the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. So far this season, he has spent most of the time with their Double A affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts compiling a 1-5 record with a 7.29 ERA. He also spent two games with the Triple Albuquerque Isotopes.

Brett Jackson was another player who was in the inaugural 2010 Topps Pro Debut set. You can read my original write up here.

At the end of that post, I speculated Jackson would get a late season call up for 2013. Alas, he did not and the Cubs set a new roster size record regardless. Also as mentioned, he did split the 2013 season between Double and Triple A and rehabbed his injury.

This season, Jackson has spent the entire time in Iowa. In 67 games, he is batting .213 with 5 home runs and 18 RBIs. Not exactly September call up numbers if you ask me, especially with what else the Cubs have waiting in the wings.

2013 Gypsy Queen Blaster

I know I'm about six months late breaking one of these open but its been sitting in my house just as long because it was one of the prizes in my Fantasy Baseball Blaster League. Everybody should have their prizes by now so I thought I'd go ahead and post one of mine.

Before this blaster, I opened exactly zero Gypsy Queen this year. I barely even remembered the inserts from blog posts all those months ago. And after double checking, I didn't even pick up a Cubs team set this year. I have a couple through trades but I'm going to have to find the checklist to see who I'm missing.

Anyway, I didn't scan the base cards because you've probably seen them all. If you want me to check out your want lists, let me know. I won't be collecting this set aside from Cubbies so I don't need them. But I will show the inserts because I don't need these either. Some may be earmarked for some of my regular trade partners but by now, they may already have picked them up. So if you want them, let me know.

First up, we have the minis. These were one per pack. A couple big names.

Overall, I probably would have been much more impressed with this box back in April or whenever it came out. Now, at the end of the season, when the Cubs have long been eliminated and MLB is about to show reruns of the 2007 World Series, I might just be ready for winter. How long until pitchers and catchers report?

Almost for got the highlights from the box, the Cubbies!

I don't think Brett Jackson would have made the cut for set inclusion in hindsight but still two nice additions to the collection. I still have another blaster to open and post about as part of my winnings. Here's hoping the other winners had a little better luck.

Some 2013 Allen & Ginter Cubs Hits

I don't know what keeps me from jumping on the A&G bandwagon but I can't bring my self to get on board. By all accounts, I should like the product but as a whole, I just don't care. Maybe because I wasn't in the hobby when it came out and therefore not an early adopter. Maybe it's the price point. More than likely, its the checklist. Too much randomness.

But that won't keep me from picking up some Cubbies every now and then if the price is right. I still haven't picked up a base card team set yet but I added on some reasonably priced relics and autographs to other recent purchases.

 

You're not seeing double. As I mentioned last week, Brett Jackson cards aren't exactly lighting eBay on fire. One I added to an order I was already making with combined shipping. And as luck would have it, the other showed up in a different lot I picked up later in the week.

I was shipping out some Kerry Wood cards out to Tom of Waiting 'Til Next Year so I threw the extra one in his envelope. Problem solved!

These next two were purchased together. I didn't notice in the listing but when I got them it stuck out like a sore thumb. Hopefully, you can tell from the scan. Look at the two swatches. Are they from different parts of the jersey or different kinds of jerseys? Did the Cubs switch types of jerseys from one year to the next? Is one a gamer and the other BP or something? Darwin Barney has only been a Cub, but maybe the David DeJesus is from his Royals days? I have questions!

Funny what you notice sometimes.

I still have a few to pick up, but this was a good start.

Buying Low - Brett Jackson

After blowing out my budget last year, I vowed earlier this year to not go so crazy. OK, so maybe my wife helped a little with that vow, but it was a little easier to do seeing as I bought a ton of collection filler stuff last year so I didn't need as much this year. But you could color me green with envy as I watched pack after pack, box after box of Heritage, Gypsy Queen, Archives, Bowman and even A&G being broken here on the blogs and showing up on eBay.

I did partake a little in some of the 2013 offerings, although mainly just a few team sets and maybe a random insert here or there. And as noted last week, a couple of Tony Campana pickups. Aside from my Repack Sundays I did earlier this year and the blasters I picked up for my Fantasy League prizes, I don't think I've even bought a blaster for myself since an Opening Day blaster war I did.

When I recently picked up my 2013 Cubs Pro Debut team set, I decided to look to see if I had a complete run of the cards. This being only the fourth year, I thought it would be cool to actually have a complete run of Cubs cards from one brand, something I'll probably never do with the likes of Topps, Donruss, Fleer, etc.

With that said, I do have a complete run of the base cards for Pro Debut. But I wanted to go further and that means inserts and hits. Parallels not so much, but I'm open to acquiring them.

The first results from this search came in the mail courtesy of one eBay lot for a grand total of $3.50 shipped.

You can't really tell from the scan but these are two different cards. The card on the left is your normal run of the mill autograph card. It is a bit odd in the sense that is a sticker auto, but also a "cut" auto. The sticker is not on the top layer but rather between two different layers. Weird.

The card on the right, with the smaller signature, is a blue parallel numbered #24/199 on the back. The only difference I can spot is that the names "Brett Jackson" and "Daytona Cubs" are in blue foil lettering instead of silver foil like the first one.

Cool, I guess. To be honest, when I bought the lot, I thought they were the same and was going to throw one in the trade pile. 

But wait, there's more!

Also in the lot was this Futures Game jersey card. I'm not sure if this is technically a Cubs (or affiliate) card, because Jackson represented Team USA at the 2010 Futures Game, going 0-1 with a walk. But I'll keep it. Like the blue parallel autograph card, this one is also numbered /199. At least the swatch is huge.

Not bad for $3.50.

I believe the Starlin Castro version of this jersey card, representing the World team, would wrap up 2010 Pro Debut for me but the few I've seen on eBay are ridiculous. I have a feeling his stock may be sinking as quickly as Jackson's though.

With that card in a saved search, I'm off to figure out the 2011 Pro Debut needs...

Where Are They Now? 2010 Pro Debut Part 1

I was filing away my newly acquired 2013 Pro Debut Cubs team set and took a minute to browse through the entire run. With about three full seasons since Topps debuted this set in 2010, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the 2010 edition with a "Where Are They Now" feature. I thought about breaking it down into who made it, who hasn't, who's still with the team, who's not, etc. But I'll just do it by the card number.

The first two Cubs in the set, and the focus of this post are Ryan Flaherty and Brett Jackson.

#23 Ryan Flaherty, Peoria Chiefs

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.

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.

#76 Brett Jackson

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...

2013 Topps Brett Jackson Factory Team Set & Series 2

I sorta, kinda took the weekend off from posting but it was for the greater good. And by sorta, kinda, I mean I wrote out a bunch of postings, but for the future. At the end of this week, I am going on a 2-week, European vacation with the family, so I will be incommunicado. Cue the Clark Griswold references! I didn't quite come up with enough to fill the whole time I'm gone just yet, but I still have a few days. If not, there may be a random day off here and there.

Like my last couple of these, Brett Jackson has the same card in both the team factory set and Topps Series 2. It's a nice action shot, almost more suitable for a horizontal card. In fact, if it was somebody a little more popular, or Jackson had lived up to the hype a little bit better last year, it could have been one of the Series 2 Chase it Down inserts. He probably would have had to be closer to the ball for that to happen though. Speaking of which, did he make the play?

The caption claims that Jackson "makes a diving catch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at Wrigley Field on September 14, 2012" so it must be true. No reference to the batter or inning so I had to go to the boxscore on baseball-reference.com. The only fly ball out to Brett Jackson came off the bat of Pedro Alvarez in the top of the 8th inning.

The photographer took a flurry of shots and Getty posted two more shots:

This one would have made for a nice horizontal card, as he gets ready for full extension.

And the moment just before the catch. If the umpire hadn't cut right in front of the photographer, that would have been a pretty good Chase it Down card.

The Cubs beat the Pirates 7-4 that day. The play wasn't a game changer/saver, but a nice catch is a nice catch.

PWE made of Gold?!?

We were at an all-day wrestling tournament on Saturday and another on Sunday so I was catching up on some blog reading Sunday evening. I was literally just reading JediJeff's Sunday post over at 2x3Heroes about some out of the blue cards in the mail when my wife brought me a PWE from Saturday's mail. I had already received all of my recent ebay/sportslot purchases so it was truly unexepected cards! And wouldn't you know it, it was from JediJeff! Strong in the force, he is with his Jedi mind tricks. And they were all gold cards to boot!

Topps Update came out last year when I was taking a small break from blogging. In the fall, I was in the process of starting big boy college after finishing up my associate degree at my local community college in the spring. I picked up a hobby box which yielded a complete set so I didn't think much of the tracking down the parallels.

JediJeff sent six (!) gold Cubs parallels from last year. He must have picked up a ton of Update to get that lucky with Cubs! One card was from Series One:

Starlin Castro (0599/2012)

One from Series Two:

Anthony Rizzo (1184/2012)

And four from the Update Series:



Brett Jackson (1502/2012)

James Russell (0900/2012)

Josh Vitters (1992/2012 & 0553/2012)

Thanks a ton Jeff! There will be some White Sox I've been saving up for you coming your way soon.

Chris Rusin & Brett Jackson

Way back in September, I had the opportunity to go to a Cubs game when they came to play the Washington Nationals. My 2012 custom team set was still fairly new and I had a great time getting some signed. One that didn't come out that great was from rookie pitcher Chris Rusin. Not his fault, the Sharpie dried out while waiting.

The Original

I mentioned yesterday that I had a little help at the Mounted Memories Sun Times show and Rusin was one of the VIP guests. The price was right so I printed out another copy and sent it off. I also included my newest design. Amazing what a good pen will do for an autograph!

New & Improved!

Brett Jackson was also a guest at the show. His 2012 team set card came out great from September and he was a little pricier than Rusin so I just sent in one of my newer design. Its worth noting that Jackson has a pretty nice signature for a player in this day and age. 

These are the first two from this design that I've gotten signed and I must say I'm very pleased with how they came out. This design was also printed out on photo paper rather than the glossy cardstock I've previously used. I don't think this will be a finite set but rather an ongoing one and make whoever I think I can get one signed from. I bet they'll look good in a binder.

Cubs Shakeup

Like just about every other team this time of year, the Cubs are going through some changes. I understand them but that doesn't mean I have to like them. The timing is also odd seeing that the Cubs were 7-1-1 in their last nine series but 0-2 since the shakeup, including a current 5 game losing streak.

Those who follow this blog know that I enjoy the style of play Tony Campana brings to the game. Well, he was sent back down to AAA Iowa on Sunday. I know he hasn't had much playing time so going back to AAA should get him more and help his game but it still sucks.

On the bright side, they did play a decent game on Sunday, despite the loss. There were several lead changes and the Cubs didn't necessarily implode. Two of the top Cubs prospects also made their Major League debuts. The announcers said during Sunday's broadcast that Josh Vitters would probably make his debut Monday but he ended up pinch hitting in the pitcher's spot in the 7th inning.

The bigger debut was that of starting center fielder Brett Jackson. Although his first at-bat was an awkward foul-ball-off-his-foot-ruled-fair and thrown out, he did move the lead runner, David DeJesus into scoring position which helped when the next batter, Anthony Rizzo drove him in with a single. He followed that up with a walk and 2 singles before bring his day to a close with a strikeout.

He also scored his first run with an awkward slide on an Alfonso Soriano double in the 7th inning. Not sure what happened but it looked like he wanted to slide and tackle the catcher and it became a head first slide turned sideways barrel roll? Granted its his MLB debut but I would think sliding is taught earlier than that. If I can find a .gif later today, I'll add one.

Here a couple of cards I have been lucky enough to have signed by Brett Jackson. I sent them to someone who regularly 'graphs the Iowa Cubs last season and he got them done very promptly. Thanks Doug!

2010 Topps Pro Debut Brett Jackson

2011 Topps Pro Debut Brett Jackson

2009 Donruss Elite College Ties Brett Jackson & Jeff Kobernus

I picked up two College Ties cards and got them both signed by Jeff Kobernus when he was with the Potomac Nationals last season. I sent them both to Doug to get signed by Jackson, allowing him to keep one of them. Nice way to get a dual signed card! Not sure why they scanned so dark this time but they all look great in person.

I hope the Cubs can work out the kinks and take advantage of all of these prospects they seem to be getting in these trades. Waiting until next year is getting old (and I don't mean Waiting 'til Next Year, that one is cool). I guess only time will tell...