Getting started collecting Blake Snell cards

By Ryan Cracknell | Hobby Editor

2015 was a big year for baseball prospects. Not only did several key players make their way up to the majors but they made significant impacts with their big league clubs. Blake Snell is one top prospect who stayed in the minors. That’s not a knock on his play. In fact, he had a stellar 2015 that culminated in his being named Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America. Despite this, collectors have yet to fully embrace Blake Snell cards like they have other recent top picks like Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa or even Mark Appel.

Tampa took Snell in the first round of the 2011 draft with the 52nd overall pick. He spent the first four years of his pro career in Rookie and A-League ball but made big strides in 2015. Snell started the season with the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the High-A Florida State League. After four games, he was promoted to Double-A’s Montgomery Biscuits. His progression didn’t stop there. With a 6-2 record and a 1.57 ERA in 12 games, Snell has called up to Triple-A and the Durham Bulls where he continued to dominate. Over the course of 2015, Snell went 15-4 with a 1.41 ERA. He also struck out 163 batters in 134 innings pitched versus 53 walks.

So if he’s playing so well and winning major accolades, why aren’t Blake Snell cards hot?

He’s a pitcher.

If history has shown us anything, it’s that pitchers come with a lot of risk. One injury and they could be out of the game. A few wild pitches and their career could be defined by a severe case of the yips. Typically pitchers don’t get the same appreciation that sluggers do. And more often than not, those that arrive with hype often fizzle.

Will Blake Snell be another? Maybe, maybe not. However, a lot are taking a more reserved approach with his cards at the moment.

If you’re curious about some of the key Blake Snell cards, we’ve compiled a list of some of his most popular early releases. You can also find a comprehensive selection of his cards in the Beckett Marketplace.

Top Early Blake Snell Cards

2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Blake Snell #BDPP52

Even though most of Blake Snell’s first cards — even autographs — are affordable for most budgets, signed cards aren’t for everyone. His 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects card has a little more of a premium feel to it than the base Bowman version but it won’t cost much at all.

2011 Bowman Chrone Draft Prospect Autographs Blake Snell #BSN

When Blake Snell rookie cards do make their debut, this is the card that most are going to gravitate towards. Found in packs of 2011 Bowman Draft, it hasn’t shot up to near the heights that a lot of top prospects reach with their first Bowman Chrome autographs on their march to the majors. Refractors come in many shades and rarities for those looking for something more valuable.

2011 Bowman Sterling Prospects Blake Snell #13

Typically, Bowman Sterling base and Prospect cards can be fairly difficult to find. Packs are expensive and there are usually more autographs than standard cards. 2011 Bowman Sterling Baseball has a Prospect card in every pack so it’s not the toughest the line has had. Still don’t expect to find Blake Snell’s card in much quantity like you can sometimes wind with the base Bowman Draft and Bowman Chrome Draft.

2011 Bowman Sterling Prospect Autographs Blake Snell #BS

While the 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Blake Snell autograph still isn’t overly expensive, his Bowman Sterling autograph is cheaper. It’s a solid secondary option for those wanting both a signature and MLB marks.

2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Franchise Futures Signatures Blake Snell #16 /364

If you’re looking for further autograph options, there’s 2011 Donruss Elite Extra Edition. Besides the lower price, the card is also serial numbered — something that neither of the Bowman-brand cards has. Elite Extra Edition is a familiar name for prospecting with a lot of collectors, however many are partial to MLB uniforms also.

2011 Playoff Contenders Draft Ticket Autographs #DT26

Traditionally, the Contenders brand has a history with rookie and prospect signatures via Rookie Ticket Autographs. That history is deepest in football, but it has been attempted a few times in baseball. And while the 2011 Playoff Contenders Draft Ticket for Blake Snell has the name, the design does match up. Unlike Snell’s other main Panini autographs from 2011, this one isn’t serial numbered.

2011 Playoff Prime Cuts Prospect Signatures #BS /299

The final Blake Snell autograph from Panini in 2011 comes courtesy of Prime Cuts. At it’s release, this was a pricey product. However, the prospects weren’t the reason why. Numbered to 299, it’s not the easiest card to find, but it’s still noticeably less expensive than the Bowman Chrome Draft.