TTM Success - Jake Cave

Here's another TTM success that finally came back from Spring Training.  I had sent 3 cards to Jake Cave, but got only one back.  The card is a nice one, a 2019 Panini Prizm red, white and blue parallel.  The card isn't numbered, but that doesn't matter.  It turned out great.

Cave (b. 1992) has played in the majors since 2018 for the Twins.  He has 182 hits, 28 home runs and a .240 batting average.

I mailed to Cave via Twins Spring Training on February 19 and got the card back on December 11, for a 295-day TAT.

July 10, 2021, Graphing Recap of Hillcats at Mudcats

A snap decision to take a look at the Lynchburg Hillcats while they were in Zebulon facing the Mudcats led me to almost missing getting several cards signed.  I had a couple guys send me Lynchburg cards to get signed as a 50/50 just in case I saw them, and I had some put aside from 2020 and 2021 Bowman.  I missed the guys I had pulled back in 2018 and 2019 and put aside in a Carolina League graphing box that I had put together.  Thankfully, about 15 minutes before we left for Zebulon, I remembered that I had that stash of cards.  I got them all prepped and into my snap case in time to leave for the game, then loaded them into my books for pre-game.  One of the cards was the above 2018 Bowman Chrome gold refractor of Lenny Torres.

The day actually called for a double header, and I came only armed with Hillcats cards in three books; me; my son, Chris and my friend, Tyler.  We were able to finish up everyone by the start of the second game, which was great, because it was super hot and humid out there.  We ended up leaving halfway though the second game since we were really tired and thirsty (and didn't want to continue to pay $6.00 for bottled soda).

I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish off some of the cards, since this would be the only time I would see the Hillcats.  Luckily, none of the players limited, and we were able to see all of the ones I had brought cards for.  Daniel Espino was especially nice, signing everything that each of us had, and also carrying on lengthy conversations with each grapher he came into contact with.

I had a whole bunch of different Espino cards, and I was really happy with how they all turned out.

I was worried that I would miss Petey Halpin.  He walked by before the first game and said he would come back.  Turned out, he meant he would come back after the first game.  He did, and signed everything we had.

Finally, we were able to get Josh Wolf, who also was really nice, and talkative.  The whole group of Hillcats that we saw were all super nice and talkative.

We ended up getting: Espino x 21, Christian Cairo x 5, Petey Halipn x 4, Korey Holland x 3, Gabriel Rodriguez x 2, Lenny Torres x 6, Yordys Valdez x 3 and Josh Wolf x 10, or a total of 54 signatures.

TTM Success - Michael Toglia

Here are some nice prospect cards I got back from Michael Toglia.  The above 2019 Panini Prizm turned out great.  I didn't have a lot of them, so it was nice to add this one to the autograph album.

I also got a 2019 Bowman Draft and a 2020 Bowman Draft signed, and I like how they turned out.

Toglia (b. 1998) was a first round (23rd overall) pick by the Rockies in the 2019 June Amateur Draft out of UCLA.  He has played two seasons in the Rockies system, reaching High A.  He has 71 hits, 19 home runs and a .236 batting average.

I mailed to Toglia on January 27 and got the cards back on February 24, for a 28-day TAT.

TTM Success - Quinn Priester

Here are a couple cards that I was able to get signed by Pirates prospect, Quin n Priester.  My friend, Max, played against him and told me that he is the real deal, so that was pretty cool.  After he told me, I sent Max a couple extra Priester cards that I had, so he could send TTM to him as well.

I was able to get a 2020 Topps Pro Debut and a 2019 Panini Prizm signed by Priester, and both cards look great.

Priester (b. 2000) was a First Round (18th overall) pick by the Pirates in the 2019 June Amateur Draft out of an Illinois High School.  He pitched in Low A and Rookie Ball in the Pirates system in 2019.  He went 1-1 with 41 strike outs and a 3.19 ERA.

I mailed to Priester on September 2 and got the cards back on January 5, for a 125-day TAT.

Another TTM Success From Juan Gonzalez

I sent to Juan Gonzalez a few times already, but I had compiled several cards that I really wanted to get signed, so I finally sent more to him recently.  The above 2019 Panini Prizm is what started me with picking up more Gonzo cards.  This one is numbered 348/399.  I wish he had used a better Sharpie, but it is signed, and I can't really complain.

I really love the 1997 Zenith set (top left).  I looked at picking up a box of it, and it turns out, it is a very small set.  I may pick some more up and try to get a few more signed for my album.  Top right is a 2001 Topps Heritage.  I like that 1952 design, and also a photo of Gonzalez as a Tiger.  The 2002 Stadium Club (bottom left) is the only one from that set that has made it into the album as of yet.  The photo is really nice and glossy.  I might have to look into a box of those, as well, depending on price.  Finally, the 1998 Topps Picture Perfect insert turned out well and finishes off the success.

I mailed to Gonzalez on January 6 and got the cards back on March 17, for a 71-day TAT.