It simply does not get more American than baseball’s Midsummer Classic taking place in the nation’s capital, Washington DC. Sixty of the best and brightest meet in the District to battle it out for bragging right since Major League Baseball has done away with home-field advantage. Before we evaluate each positional match-up, you would have to think the American League is the premier league at the midway point. The three top record in the sport belong to American League clubs. The Astros, Yankees and Red Sox correctly were awarded five All-Stars each.

So we must ask who’s got the edge?

2018 Major League Baseball All Star Game Catchers
National League Catcher Willson Contreras ends Buster Posey’s National League Catcher reign. Since 2014, Posey had taken his place behind home for the senior circuit. Contreras has surged as the Chicago weather has heated up, sporting a more than average .841 OPS for the North Side. Contreras’ contributions behind the plate have helped the Cubs become the hottest NL team in June and July. Contreras will make his inaugural appearance to the All Star Game, just edging out Realmuto for the start. Contreras is quietly becoming the face of the catching position. Signed Contreras memorabilia will pop if the Cubs make a deep postseason run in 2018.

American League Catcher Wilson Ramos is the lone Tampa Bay Ray selection, much to the chagrin of MLB statheads calling for Blake Snell. Ramos can chalk this appearance up to a healthy body. Ramos’ bat is that of a Designated Hitter more so than a Catcher. His .802 OPS is more than strong enough to earn him the American League start. Wilson Ramos’ name may sneak into trade talks as the AL East continues to not favor the Rays’ postseason hopes.

Catcher Edge: Based on passion alone, Contreras is going to bring that edge that the National needs in this one.

2018 Major League Baseball All Star Game First Basemen
National League First Baseman Freddie Freeman was the leading vote-getter in the NL with over 4 millions votes cast. No gimmicks here, Freddie has been the heart and soul of a resurgent Atlanta Braves club. Freeman is an on base machine in the middle of the Atlanta order and has been a major run producer in the first half. This will mark Freeman’s third trip the ASG. The classic home Atlanta Braves white jersey with Freeman’s signature is one sale with code ALLSTAR.

American League First Baseman Jose Abreu is headed to his second All Star Game and is the lone Chicago White Sox representative. First base has been a surprisingly weak position for a dominant American League. Abreu has 12 long bombs on the season. Jose Abreu signed baseballs can be had for under $100.

1st Base Edge: NL’s Freddie Freeman (ATL) has the most pure swing and is a favorite for NL MVP

2018 Major League Baseball All Star Game Second Basemen
National League Second Baseman Javier Baez is a magician for the Chicago Cubs. Baez, known more for his glove than consistency at the plate has put together his most complete campaign yet. Chicago fans have become accustomed to dazzling performances by the one they call, “El Mago”. Baez is on pace for a historic 30/30 season with a chance to drive in the most runs in the National League. Javy Baez signed memorabilia has taken off since he has become a regular for the Cubs this season. Signed jerseys and photos are the most popular items.

American League Second Baseman Jose Altuve does it all for the Astros. The 5’6 infielder is making his sixth trip to the All Star Game. The popularity king, Altuve tallied over 4.8M votes to earn him his fourth straight at second base. Altuve is in the midst of a legendary run for the Astros with the 2017 World Series title being the pinnacle. Batting over .335 yet again, Jose Altuve is en route to another batting title. Signed Jose Altuve collectibles went bananas during the postseason run last year – signed jerseys and bats were the most coveted.

2B Edge: Jose Altuve is too complete to knock off the top spot.

2018 Major League Baseball All Star Game Shortstops
National League Shortstop Brandon Crawford is silky smooth with the glove and had a resurgent 2018 at the dish. Crawford’s bat has played a major role in keeping San Francisco in NL West chase. This marks Brandon Crawford’s second All-Star appearance. Crawford has slugged much better than past seasons, sitting at an .847 OPS through mid-July. Brandon Crawford signed Gold Glove baseballs are top selling products out of all SF Giants collectibles.

American League Shortstop Manny Machado may very well be representing the Orioles for the last time in this 2018 ASG. Manny Machado has helped his free agency case with another strong campaign for Baltimore. Manny’s name is sure to be on rumors for the next three weeks. Machado does it all for the lowly O’s – excellent defense at SS or 3B and plenty of pop. Carlos Correa’s recent DL stint may have cost him the starting gig for the American League. Manny Machado is a prime candidate for a second half memorabilia sales uptick. Whenever he is dealt, there will be a buzz around his signed product.

Edge: Manny Machado (BAL) offers an equal glove and more power at the plate.

2018 Major League Baseball All Star Game Third Basemen
National League Third Baseman Nolan Arenado has become a mainstay at the All Star Game with his fourth straight appearance. Arguably the best two-way player in baseball, Arenado has earned five consecutive Gold Glove awards and three Silver Sluggers at third base. You could point to the home field advantage of Coors Field but Nolan performs just as well on the road. A perennial MVP candidate, Nolan Arenado is on top of the National League’s roster. Colorado’s fan base loves them some Nolan Arenado as his signed Rockies jerseys retail for over $300.

American League Third Baseman Jose Ramirez has shown us an array of skills over the past three seasons, the young infielder has demonstrated power, speed, clutch hitting and everything in between. Ramirez, on paper, is a Top 5 AL MVP resume, but he oftentimes is overshadowed by left side of the infield mate, Francisco Lindor. Jose Ramirez has slugged with the boppers of the American League with 24 bombs and 25 two-baggers. Jose Ramirez does not show any signs of slowing down for the AL Central leading Indians. Compared to Lindor Ramirez’s memorabilia is a value play – under $40 for a signed photo and under $100 for an Official Major League Baseball.

Edge: Nolan Arenado based on track record.

2018 Major League Baseball All Star Game Outfielder #1
National League Outfielder Nick Markakis has utilized all the grit to get to this juncture of his career, a starting outfield in the All Star Game. Don’t look now, but Nick Markakis has tallied over 2,000 hits – actually go look on Baseball Reference. He very well could wind up with 3.000 hits in the bigs. Quiet, consistent yet a force from the left side. The Braves owe much of their surprise start to the former Oriole and grizzled veteran. To be honest, we do not see a ton of traffic on Markakis’ products but the same could be said for Adrian Beltre during his tenure and he will be in Cooperstown sooner rather than later.

American League Outfielder Mookie Betts has bowled more 300 games than he has All Star appearances but those numbers could flip if Betts continues to rake for the Bo Sox. Mookie Betts leads all batters in Batting Average, Slugging and OPS – a surefire All Star. With so much talent on the 2018 Red Sox, Betts stands out as their leader and most consistent performer. The Red Sox faithful are a playoff run away from a memorabilia frenzy like we saw in 2013. Boston Strong may make a comeback in the memorabilia if the Sox hoist another trophy.

Edge: Mookie Betts (BOS) has been arguably the best in the baseball.

2018 Major League Baseball All Star Game Outfielder #2
National League Outfielder Matt Kemp has been selected to the All Star Game … In 2018. What a resurgence by Kemp who is seeing fastballs better than he did with his first stint in Los Angeles. LA has revitalized this 33-year old to one of his most productive pro seasons. Kemp hopes to keep up the pace to get his Dodgers into October. For LA Dodgers fans with member berries to the early 2010’s, Matt Kemp memorabilia has been selling well. For Braves fans thinking why did we trade him, we have Ronald Acuna autographs for you. Padres fans, keep scrolling.

American League Outfielder Mike Trout is the best baseball player on the planet. Mike Trout’s autograph value remains high – $300-700 depending on condition. Trout’s 2018 pace is one for the record books. At the break, it is projected Trout has produced 7 wins above a replacement player (i.e. Kole Calhoun), which puts him on a path where very few have ever been for a full season. Trout is stealing less but homering more. He is tripling less but doubling more. If you pitch him inside, he pulls. Outside, he sprays it. Throw him balls, he walks. It is almost unfair how well he has been playing yet the Angels are on the outside looking into the postseason again.

Edge: Can’t pick against Trout.

2018 Major League Baseball All Star Game Outfielder #3
National League Outfielder Bryce Harper has lost a bit of luster, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from the fan vote. Harper was voted into his Right Field office for the fifth start of his career. With a career low batting average, Harper has had to grind out at-bats this season. His power numbers are close to where we expected him to be but the total number of strikeouts is alarming. Despite a frustrating 2018, Harper can get back on good graces with a dominant show in the 2018 T-Mobile Home Run Derby. Harper puts eyeballs on the TV and butts in seats. Harper offers plenty of value to Major League Baseball by starting in his home park. Bryce Harper signed products has slowed down a bit but his looming free agency with keep his name in the headlines.

American League Outfielder Aaron Judge has copied and pasted his 2017 impact into this season. Not missing a beat in his second season, Judge is near the tops of all relevant batting categories. Fans will not be happy that the reigning Home Run Derby champion is sitting this year’s out but after the show he put on in South Beach, he deserves a Mai Tai. The market for Aaron Judge signatures last year was amazing, and unrivaled by any Rookie since Derek Jeter. The hoopla has continued in the Bronx and the online marketplace. Aaron Judge signed ROMLB’s are fetching half a grand.

Edge: The verdict is in. Judge (NYY)

2018 Major League Baseball All Star Game DH
National League DH Paul Goldschmidt was not on any All Star radar if fans voted in mid-May but April slumps brought May thumps as Goldschmidt has his D-Back on track to take the NL West crown. The captain of the Snakes, Goldschmidt has produced major power numbers in June and July to right the ship. Manager Dave Roberts will likely slot Goldy as the DH, in this – his sixth consecutive appearance. If you were carving a “Diamondbacks Mount Rushmore” in the Grand Canyon, you would see Goldy’s mug etched into the side of it. You might see Royce Clayton’s bust too, but as a gag.

American League DH JD Martinez has earned every penny from his monster deal in the spring. Martinez is firmly in the mix for the American League Triple Crown – 27 long balls, 74 runs driven in. JD has shown no signs of slowing down for the Red Sox. The surprise breakout of 2016 has only gotten better with age. With so many polarizing Red Sox, Martinez’ memorabilia sales have been slow to begin the season but as we stated with Betts, “If the Red Sox win the title, watch out memorabilia world”.

Edge: JD (Just Dingers) Martinez is having an MVP caliber 2018 season.

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Everyone wants to be first. Collecting MLB signatures is no different. Similar to the stock market, it is a all about when you got in and when you go out for a lot of sports memorabilia collectors and dealers. The memorabilia industry has always had a fascination with the rookies, the new crop of youngsters getting their first crap at the show. Oftentimes these first year pro’s signatures are not easy to come by. The best chance to acquire a signature prior to their first big signing is to follow them across middle America when they are no names trying their hand in the Minor Leagues. Companies can go bankrupt quickly and some can strike it rich after some time, rookies are no different. If we had a dollar, or let’s say fifteen dollars to cover the cost of a baseball, for every time a prospect fizzled out in the minors, we would not have bins full of “batting practice” baseballs in our warehouse. It is a fickle sport and picking which prospect will boom and which will bust is as accurate as aiming for bullseye after a couple Lites.

The 2018 Major League Baseball Rookie class has seen instant production from can’t miss prospects and surprising outputs from “no-name” prospects. The summer heat will put the pressure on these rooks, some who find themselves in the thick of divisional title races. Adjusting to MLB ball has been seamless them for these five newcomers. Current trends in the memorabilia industry has shifted to “hot market” sales where champions, rookies and breakout players are fetching the most clicks and sales. Every crop of rookies are different but with two of our top five crushing baseballs for the Bronx Bombers, lots of attention and dollars are being spent on them. Injuries certainly put a damper on the “Hype Train” but Shohei Ohtani still has dazzled the league enough to earn him the top spot on our list.

1. Shohei Ohtani has lived up to the hype for the 2018 Angels. Slugging over .535 while sporting a clean ERA around 3.00 is an accomplishment we have not seen in our lifetime. Spraining his UCL was the only thing to slow down the hype for Shohei autographs. His autographed baseballs are still fairly scarce on the market place and are selling for upwards of $500. With his arrival only a few weeks away, his stock will pick right back up across the industry. We expect Ohtani to be all the buzz at the this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

2. Gleyber Torres was known as the piece the Cubs chose to part with for a chance at a World Series run. Gleyber has proved to be worth every mile per hour of Chapman’s blistering heater as he is the frontrunner to take home American League Rookie of the Year. Torres, who could legally sip his first Moscow Mule six months has stole the show in the Big Apple. Since his April 22nd call-up, he has been arguably the most productive second-baseman in the American League. Fans are hitting the virtual polls in droves to get Torres to the Midsummer Classic in Washington DC this month. Gleyber’s autographed items could have been scooped up cheap last season when he was on the shelf with a knee injury, now his memorabilia cannot be placed on your shelf for less than $200 American Dollars.

3. Juan Soto has been the least heralded of this top five but arguably the most efficient since his call-up to the Nationals. His signature is interesting, resembling a math problem where you solve for Juan divided by Soto. With Algebra being the furthest Math course I have, the answer to that equation is a popular signed baseball that retails for $150+. Perhaps overshadowed by other star power in the Nation’s capital – Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer and even Donald Trump, Soto is carving his niche on a team that could be changing come November. Soto is here to stay in the DC and projects to be a major national asset. In a little over a month of service, Juan Soto has kickstarted the Nats with an over 1.000 OPS. Soto’s plate discipline as a 19-year old is simply astonishing. At 19-year year’s old, the next election will be the first he can legally vote for so do him a favor and help vote Juan Soto into the All Star Game.

4. Ronald Acuna Jr. was the toast of Atlanta when he got the call in late April. Acuna Jr. proved himself worthy right off the bat, stroking a home run in only his second professional game. The Acuna moonshots kept coming, hitting five in his first month in the show. Currently on the DL, Acuna is preparing himself for a deep postseason run with the young Atlanta Braves. His signed baseballs were selling rapidly after each tape measure shot. If we have learned anything from the past, this would be the time to purchase his memorabilia because once healthy, it is only a matter of time until is among the best in the sport.

5. Miguel Andujar is the biggest surprise of this list. With the Yankees illustrious farm system, Andujar played the role of Babe – not the Bambino, the star of the 1995 film whose tagline reads, “A Little Pig Goes A long Way”. Miguel Andujar is no pig, but being overlooked in a stacked minor league system is exactly what he has been up until 2018. Andujar has found his power stroke in new Yankee Stadium, crushing 11 bombs in his first half season. Coming into the 2018 campaign, the hot corner was marked as a weakness for the Yankees, Andujar has not only filled the role but is thriving. Andujar’s signature is arguably the fullest of this group. His signed memorabilia will be a hot commodity if this group of Yankees makes a deep October rally.

Keep in mind, this list could change daily as these rookies are proving themselves on the most difficult stage on a nightly basis. For more information and many more signed baseballs, check out our current supply of authentic autographed baseballs.

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