Still waiting for 2016 Topps - but we found #27 Alec Asher

It was raining today so I didn't bother checking in at my local big box to see if they have any 2016 Topps.

My disappointment with several aspects of this years offering has not stopped me from scouring online sources to get a glimpse of some of the new cards.

2016 Topps #27 Alec Asher (image stolen from ebay gochicubs)

Alec Asher's Rookie Card caught my eye. Check out the young right-hander's pitching elbow - cool shot of Asher's Tommy John scar!

I have been babbling for the last month that the photos in 2016 Topps are too tight. This card is the exception. A shot from further away or less clear wouldn't display the evidence of the surgery and would just be another pitchers card. 

Getty Got It
I went to one of my recent obsessions and checked Getty Images to see what we could find out about this picture. My research has pointed me towards a photo taken by Mitchell Leff during a game on August 30 2015.

The game was Alec Asher's Major League Debut and according to the information associated with the photo on Getty's website the picture was taken in the first inning. This means on this 2016 Topps card we have a shot of Alec Asher throwing one of his first pitchers as a major leaguer.

I love it.

I won't even bother nitpicking about this not being one of those Major League Debut cards with date at the bottom of the photo.

Unfortunately my love of this card doesn't change the fact that Alec Asher took the Loss in his Debut. It was the seven starts the rookie had for the Phillies in 2015, only one of which went well - most were poor as Asher went 0-6 with a 9.31 ERA. Hopefully the 24 year old pitcher has a better go around when he returns to the big leagues. 

Sources and Links
2016 Topps Index
2016 Topps Phillies
ebay
Cardboard Connection
Getty Images
Baseball-ref

AL Wild Card Game: 2014 Topps Chrome Update Masahiro Tanaka

The MLB postseason commences tonight with the New York Yankees hosting the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card playoff

2014 Topps Chrome Update #MB-43 (Gold #d 035/250)

The Yankees will send out Masahiro Tanaka to face the young Houston squad. The Japanese import has had a decent season but is trending downward after a standout 2014. His ERA is up from 2.77 to 3.51, with strikeouts down and  walks and Home Runs up. The ERA+ of 114 is well down from last years 140 however his 3.1 WAR in 2015 is comparable to his 3.3 debut.

fllip

The card notes Masahiro Tanaka's Debut when he started a 7-3 victory over the Blue Jays. Highlights from Tanaka's 7 inning 6 Hit No Walk start included striking out Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista twice and inducing Adam Lind to ground into a double play in the sixth inning.

If the Yankees are to advance to the World Series Tanaka will likely will have to face the potent Blue Jays lineup once again. 

2014 Topps Chrome Update
Chrome Update is a bit of an odd release that was packed only in "Mega-Boxes" paired with Topps Update - thus the MB- prefix for the card number. This pack pulled Tanaka card is probably one of my luckier strikes in the past year. It is serial #d and I imagine if the Yankees go deep in the playoffs it could get some collectors excited.

Note the card has the RC shield but is not considered a Rookie Card. Tanaka was definitely included in the standard issue of 2014T Chrome and likely other releases as well. 

Sources and Links
2015 Playoff Contenders
baseball-ref

Cardboard Connection

Game Report 2015 0721: Rays at Phillies - Aaron Nola Debut, Nathan Karns HR

Citizen's Bank Park provided some excitement on Tuesday night as their 2014 top draft pick Aaron Nola made his Major League Debut

It was a fun night for everyone, there was a buzz across the stadium as fans followed Nola from his Long Toss routine all the way through his six inning start.

2015 0721 Aaron Nola in his Major League Debut

Aaron Nola looked good giving up run on 5 Hits and a walk over the course of six innings in his first start.

He did have one bad pitch.

2015 0721 Nate Karns

Typically a gift pitch with an AL Pitcher batting isn't a problem, but on Tuesday night it was. Nate Karns had never had a hit in the Majors and only one in the minors, but he made his first in the Majors count. Karns Homered off of Aaron Nola in the 3rd inning and it was the only run the Rays needed. 

 2015 07 21 Linescore

How often do you get a 1-0 game where the only run is the result of a Pitcher hitting a Home Run.

Not often.

Yovani Gallardo did to give the Brewers a 1-0 victory over the Pirates in 2009. Karns was the first AL Pitcher to do it since 1962 when Milt Pappas did it for the Orioles versus the Yankees.

GGA

Kevin Kiermaier

There were a number of Rays that came out to sign autographs, one of them was Kevin Kiermaier who had a really good night in Centerfield. In addition to a couple of nice catches he also picked up and outfield assist when Cody Asche attempted to go first to third on a single.

Line Up Card Aaron Nola

The Phillies even had a new LineUp card posted for Aaron Nola.

Citizens Bank Park 

It is a little hard to tell but the flags at CBP were lowered to honor the memory of the servicemen killed in Chattanooga.

Sources and Links
Baseball-ref
The Sporting News
Phillies Radio Broadcast

TRENDY: 2012 Bowman Platinum #BDPP36 Eddie Rosario - Home Run on first Pitch seen in the MLB.

You get a Home Run on the first pitch you see in the majors and I may just post your card on Phungo

2012 Bowman Platinum #BDPP36 Eddie Rosario

Eddie Rosario has floated on and off the Prospect Radar, probably due to a drug suspension in 2014. Prior to 2014 he was ranked #60 by BaseballProspectus, the only one of the three majors to rank Rosario. MLB.com Ranks Rosario #10 in the Twins Org

The Home Run appears to be a bit of an anomaly. In 749 ABs at AA or above he has 15 Home Runs.  .  

Sources and Links 
Baseball-ref
TwinCities.com
MLB.com