I’m still looking to build on my Ohtani Topps Now run through his rookie year but have held off picking up any one particular pack pulled card - the pitcher is out until 2020 and whenever Ohtani comes back in 2019, he'll be literally half a player at DH.
I've still spent money on random card things, but felt like I’ve bought less retail blasters - it maybe the case where I don’t get a chance to get this card at all unless I get it outright.
I may have paid a premium for this card, but maybe it evens out with how much it costs to have it shipped to me - that sounds stupid when I realize the card will probably be in a PWE, but it is what it is and I don’t mind as long as the card arrives safely.
I’ve kept up with just about every Topps Now Ohtani card released through his rookie season - a caveat is that no autographs or parallels perhaps, but those weren't realistic pickups for me.
Maybe the cards will be nice to go back through - especially if Ohtani is still is on that dual pitcher / hitter track.
Because it won’t be his rookie year anymore, I don’t think the plan is to get all the Topps Now Ohtani cards in 2019 - though I’ll keep an eye out for any ‘interesting’ ones.
I don’t know how much I’ve really thought about adding any Ohtani’s packed pulled cards - but look to at least complete a rookie season's worth of Topps Now cards.
Ohtani has been a pretty good slugging rookie DH, though it remains to be seen whether he will pitch again this year - despite things ramping up as far getting ready for a comeback on the mound.
The combination of home runs and pitching makes Ohtani the intriguing Rookie of the Year candidate - but Ohtani hasn’t pitched and as a hitter, he’s been a platoon DH with some growing pains against left handers.
Team success matters less perhaps as far as Rookie of the Year consideration, but Miguel Andujar has played every day and piled up the counting numbers as a hitter for a contender - it wouldn't surprise me if Ohtani does win the American League Rookie of the Year, but Andujar maybe my non-homer choice.
Considering what he has accomplished in his MLB season, even if he never steps on the mound again and is merely an 'OK' hitter, I'll probably keep any of his cards I find or pull - he can be a designated pinch runner or a peanut vendor in the stands at this point, but he's on my all-time list as a regional fan favorite.
At the very least one half of Ohtani is actually playing at the moment, though it's hard to say if Ohtani the hitter can trend upward - I try to catch his at-bats and with the swings he has taken, looks crossed up more often than not.
It looks like he's been exposed by opposing pitchers and the number of strikeouts look to pile up in bunches - on other hand, I believe Ohtani's talent and aptitude with play out over any rough stretches.
Edgar Martinez - I got this autograph in the mail four or five years ago.
I have my issues with him being inducted in the Hall of Fame any time soon, but he probably became Seattle's Tony Gwynn - there were bigger superstars who may have overshadowed Martinez' playing career, but he was also the one All-Star who stayed with the Mariners from start to finish, building up a lot of goodwill in the community.