The month of July is synonymous with one thing: HOT. Throughout the month of June, I don’t think there was a player that was as hot as Tim Lincecum. The Freak amassed freakish numbers for the month that included 3 wins, 40 Ks, 1.82 ERA, 39.2 IP in 5 games started. Lincecum’s 2007 Bowman Chrome RC Auto has been reaching freakish prices too. Close on his heels for the month is Stephen Strasburg, who has yet to even sign a MLB contract, but continues to be the buzz around the shop.

1. 2007 Bowman Chrome Tim Lincecum RC Auto
2. 1997 Bowman Chrome Roy Halladay RC
3. 2008 Sweet Spot USA Signatures Black Stitch Red Auto Stephen Strasburg
4. 2008 Upper Deck USA Stephen Strasburg
5. 2007 Bowman Sterling Tim Lincecum RC Auto
6. 2007 Donruss EEE Matt Weiters Auto
7. 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospects Tommy Hanson RC
8. 2006 Bowman Chrome Justin Upton RC AU
9. 2009 SPx Mystery Rookie Redemption Exchange
10. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Josh Vitters RC Auto
11. 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Buster Posey RC Auto
12. 2005 Topps Chrome Update Andrew McCutchen Auto
13. 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Gordon Beckham RC Auto
14. 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Pick Evan Longoria RC AU
15. 2008 Bowman Sterling Evan Longoria RC Auto
16. 2002 Upper Deck Prospect Premieres Zack Greinke Auto XRC
17. 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Jesus Montero RC Auto
18. 2009 Topps Red Hot Rookie Redemptions
19. 2008 SP Authentic Evan Longoria RC Auto
20. 2002 Bowman Chrome Draft Josh Johnson RC
21. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects David Price Auto
22. 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Rick Porcello RC
23. 2004 Bowman Chrome Aflac Andrew McCutchen
24. 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects Logan Morrison Auto
25. 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Lonnie Chisenhall RC Auto

Happy collecting!

On Wednesday, a foursome of high-talent prospects, landed themselves on big-league rosters. Some of these arrivals have been very highly anticipated and publicized as to when these prospects would actually break the 40-man rosters, so now it seems as if those questions have been answered.

After being nearly unhittable in 11 games with the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves, Tommy Hanson posted a 3-3 record, 1.49 ERA, and had unbelievable 90 KOs through 66.1 IP. Signed by the Braves as a 22nd round pick in the 2005 Draft, Hanson has been considered a top prospect in both the Braves organization and all of minor league baseball. He was the 2008 Arizona Fall League MVP and was named to their All-Prospect Team. Expect to see some big jumps in the price on his 2007 Bowman Chrome RC.

Andrew McCutchen, former first round (11th overall) selection in 2005 of the Pirates, and former AFLAC All-American, has found his way to the Pirates roster after the trade of Nate McClouth to the Atlanta Braves. Considered a five-tool player (hitting for average, hitting for power, baserunning, throwing ability, and fielding abilities), McCuthchen has been in the spotlight since being drafted out of high school. He spent all of last year with Triple-A Indianapolis posting a .283 average with 9 HR, 50 RBI, and 34 SB in 135 games. This year with Indianapolis he has posted a .303 average with 4 HR, 20 RBI, and 10 SB in 49 games. Keep an eye on his 2004 Bowman Chrome RC and 2005 Topps Chrome Update Auto RC and expect to see huge jumps in prices.

After blazing through the White Sox farm system, their number one draft pick in 2008, Gordon Beckham is getting his chance in the bigs. Beckham, who last year at this time, was trying to help his Georgia Bulldogs win an NCAA Championship, has seemingly made an easy transition to the next level. He spent 38 games at Double-A affiliate Birmingham before his call-up to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. For the season, Beckham was batting .326, with 4 HR, 25 RBI, 23 2B, in 45 games. Beckham’s 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto RC has been on the hot list since it was first released. Expect to see a slight rise with the hype around his call-up.

Unlike the other three prospects, Luke Hochevar has already got his feet wet in the bigs. Hochevar hasn’t had the best-of-luck at the MLB level, posting a career 6-15 record, 5.63 ERA, and 80 KOs through 153.1 IP over 26 games. Hochever, the former first round, first overall pick of the Royals in 2006, started the season in KC, but was demoted to Triple-A Omaha after just two starts. At Omaha, Hochevar has seemed to have found his stuff, posting a 5-1 record, 1.50 ERA, 36 KOs, through 48 IP over 8 games. Hochevar’s 2007 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto RC still can be found pretty cheap, especially for a former number 1 pick. His track record isn’t very strong, but he is showing the potential that Royals need.

Over the weekend, our friends at BlowOutCards.com were having a sale on their 2009 Bowman Baseball boxes. I decided to buy one so that I could do a review of the product for all of my readers, as well as, hold the very first DailyWax Reader Contest. To enter the contest, simply reply to this entry with your name and email address (which will not be visible) along with your guess of which pack (1 through 24) will contain the Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto. If you correctly guess which pack contains the auto, I will mail you the card. In the event of multiple correct guesses, it will be randomly awarded to one of the correct guessers. You are only allowed to enter your guess once, multiple guesses from the same email address will result in disqualification from the contest. Be sure you use a valid email address, as I will be contacting the winner via email on where to send their prize. I plan on posting the results of the break as well as my review of the product sometime this week, so please check back for the results.