2013 Quarry Unlimited - Four Paneled Rookies

One thing I definitely wanted to include in this set was the four paneled rookie cards.  The original 1977 set featured the rookie cards of Andre Dawson, Dale Murphy, and a whole lot of lesser known names.  I appreciate the big names, but I love the guys that most people forget.  My challenge here was that since I was making a regular card of every single player that played in the big leagues this year, what would be the purpose of the four paneled cards.  I came up with an answer, why not go with prospects.  But not just any prospects, 40 man roster prospects that did not make the majors.  While there are a few top notch prospects listed here, most of these guys just had bad years (or injured ones) and might never make it.  I'm okay with that, because I am one of the few collectors that appreciate the fact that John Scott was taking up space on the Andre Dawson rookie too.  Let's take a look at some of the potential rookies of the 2014 season.

Current status

Trey McNutt - 23 - Spent 2013 in AA for the 4th straight year...currently off the 40 man roster

Danny Hultzen - 23 - Top prospect that made it to AAA but is likely out for the 2014 season

Tsuyoshi Wada - 32 - former Japanese League pitcher played in AAA...released after the season

Adys Portillo - 21 - spent his 4th straight season in Low A...injured most of 2013

Current Status

Manny Banuelos - 22 - highly ranked prospect that missed 2013 due to Tommy John surgery

Santo Manzanillo - 24 - spent 2013 between high A and AA....outrighted off 40 man after season

Edwin Escobar - 21 - highly regarded prospect that pitched well in AA in 2013

Trevor May - 24 - acquired in Ben Revere deal...repeated AA in 2013

Current status

Daniel Corcino - 23 - youngster spent all of 2013 in mediocre AAA season

Matt West - 24 - converted infielder missed 2013 with Tommy John surgery

Trey Haley - 23 - reliever repeated AA in 2013 with mixed results

Matt Purke - 23 - former 1st rounder split 2013 between low A and high A

Current status

John Lamb - 23 - former top prospect struggled in his jump to from high A to AAA

Nick Bucci - 23 - missed most of 2013 with shoulder injury...currently off 40 man roster

Jorge Rondon - 25 - hard throwing reliever that was decent in AAA in 2013

Rudy Owens - 25 - acquired in Wandy Rodriguez deal...missed most of 2013 with foot injury

Current status

Sebastian Valle - 23 - had poor offensive, good defensive year in repeat AA year
Christian Vazquez - 23 - had good season at AA...got late season bump to AAA
A.J. Jimenez - 23 - spent 2013 at 3 different levels, mostly AA...hurt for half the year
Ramon Cabrera - 24 - split 2013 between AA and AAA...should see bigs next year

Current status

Ernesto Mejia - 27 - successfully repeated AAA...stuck behind Freddie Freeman at 1B
Hak-Ju Lee - 23 - highly rated SS prospect that missed most of 2013 with serious knee injury
Danny Santana - 22 - really good year at AA a good sign for SS-hungry Twins
Angel Villalona - 23 - former top 1B prospect split 2013 at high A and AA with mixed results

Current status

Ramon Flores - 21 - had good year for his age at AA in 2013
Jorge Soler - 21 - Cuban defector hit well at high A...missed last 2 months with broken leg
Cesar Puello - 22 - hit very well at AA before 50 game Biogenesis suspension in August
Jared Mitchell - 25 - former 1st rounder hit very poorly between AA and AAA

Current status

Travis Witherspoon - 24 - hit poorly in repeat AA season...claimed off waivers by Seattle
Yeison Asencio - 23 - had successful split year between high A and AA
Tim Wheeler - 25 - former 1st rounder's power drop inexplicable...repeated AAA
Alfredo Silverio - 26 - hasn't played since 2011 because of 2 Tommy John surgeries

Only time will tell if there is an Andre Dawson-type Hall of Fame career in these 32 players.  It is highly unlikely, but still possible.  The odds are with a handful of these guys being successful big league players in 5 years, but the odds are also with half of these guys being completely forgotten in a year or two.  That is what is both great and frustrating with all prospects.


Thanx for reading.