The New and Improved "Rookie Cardboard Rankings" Rules:
Because "Prospecting" is one of the hobbies greatest past times, we've decided to include prospects in the RCR from here on out. Here are the "new" qualifications for the "Rookie Cardboard Rankings":
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NFL/NBA
- Players are eligible from the Moment they are drafted until the next NBA draft. (1 Year Span)
MLB
- A player must have been drafted or signed by a Major League team to qualify. This excludes all non-professional athletes.
- In order to qualify as a "Rookie", a player must enter a season with less than 130 AB's, 50 Innings Pitched, or Fewer than 45 days on the Major League Roster (excluding time spent on DL or anytime after the Rosters are expanded after September 1st).
NHL
- Players are eligible for the list the moment they make their Pro Debut until the beginning of their 2nd Season.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With Baseball nearing, Collectors have turned their focus to America's Past Time....
The impossible has happened! John Tavares the most hyped NHL Rookie since Sidney Crosby has officially lost his stronghold on the #1 spot in the RCR! The new #1 has the last name Heyward and the good news is that there is no "-bey" connected to it!
From time to time, we all tend to get wrapped up in the hype of an upcoming MLB Prospect. Desperate for the next "big thing" we see things in a Player that simply aren't there. Then there's the Braves 20-year old Prospect Jason Heyward, Baseball's #1 Prospect and a player that is far more than the next "paper champ" #1 prospect. Heyward is a "once in a generation" talent with the potential to re-define the game. The usually reserved Bobby Cox has compared Heyward to another Braves great, Hammerin' Hank Aaron!
Heyward is the complete package and then some. Instead of swinging as hard as possible at anything that resembles a strike, he patiently waits for just the right pitch then unleashes a lethal combo of bat speed and shear strength on the unsuspecting ball. In the field, he has a rocket right field arm, speed, and "web gem" worthy glove. The NL might finally have a player good enough to end Albert Pujols' MVP Monopoly. He might also help the Braves steal a few World Series appearances from the NL's Elite. With Heyward and Hanson, the Braves future is bright.
In the NBA, the Warriors Stephen Curry is on fire! Since the All-Star Break, Dell Curry's son is averaging 21.5 PPG and is now second in Rookie Scoring (16.0 ppg) behind the Kings' King of NBA Rookies Tyreke Evans(20.3 ppg). Despite being passed by Curry in Rookie scoring, Brandon Jennings remains a Hobby Powerhouse and retains his lead over Curry in the RCR. Jennings continues to capture the curiosity of collectors as he helps propel the Bucks into the Eastern Conference Play-Offs.
In the NHL, Matt Duchene continues to lead all Rookies in Scoring (45 Points), Goals (21) and Assists (24, Tied With Tyler Myers). The Avs Rookie Center now holds a 10-Point lead over Islanders' Phenom John Tavares. Buffallo Sabres' BEAST Tyler Myers (6'8", 222 lbs.) continues to impress collectors. The 20-year old Myers has a "knack" for getting involved in scoring despite being a Defenseman (8 Goals, 24 Assists, 32 Points).
In the NFL, Shonn Greene's post season success has carried over into the off-season. The release of HB Thomas Jones means that "Greene" is now "Gang Green's" feature back. The Iowa Alum did next to nothing during the 2009 Regular Season; but he may enter the 2010 Season as the best Running Back from the 2009 Draft
- Jason Heyward, Braves OF
- John Tavares, Islanders C
- Tyreke Evans, Kings G
- Mark Sanchez, Jets QB
- Brandon Jennings, Bucks PG
- Percy Harvin, Vikings WR
- Stephen Strasburg, Nationals SP
- Matt Stafford, Lions QB
- Matt Duchene, Avalanche C
- Stephen Curry, Warriors G
- Buster Posey, Giants C
- Blake Griffin, Clippers F (Despite being on IR)
- Tommy Hanson, Braves SP
- Matt Weiters, Orioles C
- Tyler Myers, Sabres D
- Michael Crabtree, 49ers WR
- Josh Freeman, Bucs QB
- Shonn Greene, Jets HB
- Dustin Ackley, Mariners IF
- Jesus Montero, Yankees C/DH
- Jonny Flynn, Timberwolves PG
- Madison Bumgarner, Giants SP
- Aroldis Chapman, Reds SP
- Knowshon Moreno, Broncos RB
- Mike Stanton, Marlins OF
 |
 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospect RC Auto Jason Heyward US $125.50 |
 2010 AllenGinter|Jason Heyward|TDH7 US $.99 |
 2010 AllenGinter|Jason Heyward|53 US $.99 |
 2010 Bowman Top 100 Jason Heyward US $7.00 |
|
|
 |
Honorable Mention:Donavan Tate, Ricky Rubio, Tyler Hansbrough, James Harden, Desmond Jennings, Justin Smoak, Brian Matsuz, James Van Riemsdyk, Chris Coglhan, Darren Collison, Marcus Thornton, Ty Lawson,Gordan Beckham, Michael Del Zotto, Jonas Gustavsson, Jamie Benn, DeMar DeRozan, DeJuan Blair, LeSean McCoy, Evander Kane, Niclas Bergfors, Carlos Santana, Neftali Feliz, Brett Wallace, Wade Davis, Aaron Hicks, Hank Conger
Nobody knows sports cards better than the people who are most passionate about collecting them, so don't be afraid to voice your opinion below! What would Sports be without a healthy amount of arguing???!
