Beckett Sports Card Hot / Cold

[Beckett]

Welcome to another Beckett Sports Card Hot/Cold where we take a quick look at what’s hot and what’s on a downward turn in sports cards and sports.

Who’s ready for some baseball? While cities around the United States make plans for what the regular season will look like, players are working off some rust and making a case for Opening Day.

This includes some of the game’s biggest youngsters. Tampa Bay’s Wander Franco, Baseball America‘s top prospect for 2021, is busy smashing baseballs into parking lots. Franco might not break camp with the Rays, but that might be more because of the business of baseball than his talent. Should he start the season in the minors, don’t be surprised if it’s a short stint.

Seattle’s Jarred Kelenic is another youngster to keep an eye on. He was off to a strong spring training start before going down with an injury recently. However, Kelenic appears ready to break out and join a young Mariners team in the not-too-distant future.

For both Franco and Kelenic, their “1st Bowmans” — both autographed and not — have been making movements of late. With their respective first Bowman Chrome autographs out of reach for many, collectors may want to look to alternatives like Bowman’s Best or Sterling. Kelenic also has several earlier cards from his time with the USA Baseball program.

As the NBA starts its second half, James Harden continues to put up big numbers in Brooklyn. Already part of a “Big 3” with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the team has added some depth with the addition of Blake Griffin. A championship is the one piece missing from Harden’s hobby resume and that might be on the way.

This week’s Hot/Cold is brought to you by Dynasty Breaks.