Thoughts on collecting prospects?

[bigtruck260]

When I collected cards - it was way common to have hundreds of prospect cards that were high at one point and worthless in 3 years. names that come to mind: Luis Montanez (finally playing in B-More), Erick Almonte, Rick Helling, Ben McDonald, Ty Griffin...etc.

As for bats - I stay away from prospects. Even at a bargain, unproven in the majors is a mistake. I'd rather pass and regret passing than buy and regret buying...

One guy who will be interesting is Colby Rasmus for the Cards. A few years ago, you'd think he would be Edmonds heir to the CF STL throne. Now, he might be a fourth outfielder - and has lost much of his luster - not saying he won't be a star, but the fast track has slowed.

As for Strasburg, HOLY SMOKES. Mechanics, power, control and the fear factor. If he ever makes it to the bigs - he will make people drool for everything he has touched related to baseball...I would like to see where his stuff starts and ends up at. Anyone remember Mark Prior?

[godwulf]

I buy what prospects gear I can afford to at the time, and if the price is right, I don't worry about whether the guy is a "hot" prospect or just somebody who may never make it out of Double-A. I collect them because they played for my organization - even if it was in Mobile or Yakima, rather than in Phoenix.

About the only real gamble I guess I've made is in shelling out some pretty good money for seven Justin Upton minor league jerseys. I have to admit that I would not have paid as much money as I did for just any prospect's jerseys. Looking back, I only did it because I was pretty flush at the time, and decided to treat myself. It happens. But if - God forbid - J-Up's career were to tank and I couldn't give those jerseys away, since I collect for fun and not as an investment, I could live with it. They're pretty!