Dontrelle Willis (5,000 @ $6.50)

Willis is one of the top rookie pitchers of the 2003 class. I must admit my Cubbies dropped the ball on this one when they traded him, Julian Tavarez, Jose Cueto, and Ryan Jorgenson for Antonio Alfonseca and Matt Clement. Willis has been given a chance with the Marlins and he is making the most of it. He is 3-0 with a 0.43 ERA in his last 21 innings pitched. He is on pace to meet his performance bonus targets with the exception of the strikeouts. But he is only 11 off of that pace and I look for him to bridge that gap and meet the PB. To say the least this 21-year old lefty has taken the eTopps world by storm and will be a sure sell-out. I look for this card to do really well on the secondary market so pick this one up at IPO.

Fred McGriff (2,000 @ $6.50)

The "Crime Dog" continues his parade of teams ending up with the Dodgers after being released by the Cubs. After 17 seasons McGriff has found himself on the DL with a groin injury, prolonging his hunt for his 500th home run. He needs 12 more homers to attain this milestone. As far as his performance bonus don't count on him making it with him needing to steal a base (which could happen as it did last year) and substantially improve his on-base pct.. At 39 years of age McGriff is almost at the end of his career and I would not be at all surprised if he retires after this year with 500+ home runs. To make a long story short I would pick this one up on eBay since I don't think it has much chance of making large gains.

Jake Peavy (2,500 @ $4.00)

Another young pitcher with an IPO this week is my man Peavy. This kid is incredible, going 4-0 with a 2.14 ERA in his last 5 starts. He is on pace for his PB (just needs to up his strikeout production a pinch since his projected total is 5 less than the PB total). If this 22-year old was on a better team he would easily be a 20-game winner. However, even with the Padres he is on pace for 16 wins. He has been almost unstoppable in his last two games, going 14.2 innings with a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA! At $4 this card can't miss with the prospect of the PB (even if it is only 1 point) and the promise of this young pitcher. Buy all you can at IPO!

Josh Beckett (2,500 @ $6.50)

Can I just say that if you want to waste money buy this card? That would be the result if you purchase this card at IPO with the year Beckett is having and his injury problems it's just not his year. Although he is looking good in his first start since coming off the DL for an elbow injury I think it is too late for him to turn his season around. His PB targets are way out of reach so the way I see it there is no sunshine on the other side of this tunnel. All of that being said Josh is a good pitcher who is having an off year but I would rather have his 2002 card which is his rookie eTopps card and is selling for less than $5.

Magglio Ordonez (2,500 @ $6.50)

Here he is -- the life blood of the Chicago White Sox! This guy is a definite force to be reckoned with in the American League with 4 straight .300/30 HR/100 RBI seasons under his belt. His first eTopps card with a print run of 4,000 is selling for about $5 - $6 so this one will probably hold IPO price for the most part but I don't see any big gains until late in the year if he bridges the gaps in his PB. Right now he is very close to all of them but it looks too risky to me to gamble on him hitting them. The White Sox seem to be making a run and if they do get to the playoffs Mags will be a big key. It is really up to you whether or not you buy this one. It isn't going to skyrocket and I won't be buying it at IPO. I'll wait for some to slip through the cracks and get it on eBay.

Mark Prior (4,000 @ $9.50)

Mark Prior has been the buzz of the eTopps world since his rookie IPO last year. He has been the subject of much debate on the eTopps message

Prior & Other Framed Photos

boards and seems to be showing his critics that he is the real deal. He just recorded a career-high 16-strikeout game last week and is on pace to shatter all of his PB's. If any card in the '03 set is going to make PB it will be Prior. This guy is awesome to watch pitch and he will only get better. The 4,000 print run on this card will help it be a good second-year card which is more than I can say for most. His 2002 card has a 5,000 print but the fact that it is his rookie card will keep it at its lofty status as the most expensive card in the 2002 baseball set. I see good gains on the 2003 Prior and I will be purchasing it at IPO and so should you.

The bottom line:
Hot Buys: Willis, Peavy
Buys: Prior
eBay or not at all: Beckett, McGriff, Ordonez

Well folks, we have a new SP in town with the 1,151 print run on the '03 Konerko, dethroning Shawn Green. I have to gloat and say that I called it (not in my Insight since I didn't write it last week) and I feel it will be a good card to have. Whether it remains the SP or not is not known but for now it's the king of the mountain. Congrats to those who bought at IPO and sorry to those who didn't or owned Green cards. Always remember nothing is ever a sure thing and too many banked on Green being the SP way too soon. Until next time be well.