By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor

Topps announced Monday a free authentication and grading program for some new baseball autographed cards that were released recently without a key way to assure that they are real and not unsigned cards that have had fake autographs added to them.

The cards are the seven Aflac autographs found in 2011 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects which were released without serial-numbering to differentiate them from the unsigned cards that were given to the pubic during the prep all-star event.

The players are Archie Bradley, Dylan Bundy, Larry Greene, Travis Harrison, Francisco Lindor, Robert Stephenson and Blake Swihart.

To alleviate this problem, Topps has joined with PSA to get the autographs authenticated and the cards graded — for free.

The cards will be marked on the slab that they were part of the program and only the cards found in packs will be accepted. The offer is good until July 1, 2012.

Cards should be mailed to:

AFLAC Certification Program c/o Topps
1 Whitehall Street
New York, N.Y. 10004

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor

The list just keeps growing.

Topps announced on Thursday that nine more first-round picks from this year’s MLB draft have been added as autograph subjects in 2011 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects.

That brings the total announced so far to 30 players in the product, 29 of which are first-round or supplemental first-round picks, and the company still isn’t done as it promises four more picks next week.

Could they include No. 1 overall pick Gerrit Cole, No. 2 pick Danny Hultzen, No. 4 pick Dylan Bundy, No. 6 pick Anthony Rendon or wonderkid and No. 5 overall pick Bubba Starling? We’ll have to wait and see …

See the new additions list after the jump.

Tyler Anderson, Rockies
Kyle Crick, Giants
Michael Fulmer, Mets
Larry Greene, Phillies
Travis Harrison, Twins
Taylor Jungmann, Brewers
Blake Snell, Rays
Robert Stephenson, Reds
Blake Swihart, Red Sox

To see the previous 21 players announced, click here.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Basketball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.