FRANCO-MANIA, ROOKIE EXPLOSION FUEL BIDDING WAR FOR HOT MLB PROSPECTS
The 2021 baseball season has produced a spike in hot rookie prospects who have arrived in the majors. Accompanying the promotion of each up-and-comer, of course, is a flurry of bidding activity for their cards and collectibles.
Below, we’ll look at hot items tied to four rookies. But first, let’s consider that the most anticipated debut hasn’t happened yet — and may be weeks, if not months, away. That would be Wander Franco, the hard-hitting shortstop in the Tampa Bay chain.
For a few days in May, Franco-mania was at a fever pitch. Why? Because the Rays dealt incumbent shortstop Willy Adames to Milwaukee. The trade fueled quick speculation that Franco would be called up. But, no, the Rays brought up Taylor Walls instead, preferring to give Franco more seasoning.
