In Person Autograph - Mickey Moniak

This post is a few days late, but for those who follow such things, Mickey Moniak was the first selection in the recent MLB player draft. The high school outfielder is said to not fit the mold of a typical #1 pick in terms of build and jaw dropping tools, but should still develop in to a quality big leaguer.

I was able to get Mickey to sign his '13 USA jersey card last year at Area Code Games in Long Beach. The card features him as part of the USA 15 and under team, but honestly, he looks more like 12 in the picture. Moniak really made his mark that week with the play below:

In front of a throng of scouts, Moniak went Willie Mays with his own version of an over the shoulder catch. Scouts by nature aren't the type to show their emotions, but even they stood up and applauded the effort.

Of course, this wouldn't be an In Person Autograph post without a UCLA connection. Moniak is committed to UCLA, but like so many of their other high profile recruits from years past, will likely never step foot on campus.

 

 

In Person Autograph - Ryan Hingst

One of the sets I have been casually working on is 2013 Leaf Perfect Game. Why there are unlicensed cards made of high school students, I do not know. But since the cards are out there, they make for an interesting novelty item to get signed. Earlier this month, I got Arizona State sophomore Ryan Hingst to autograph his card.

                                     

This morning, I read that Hingst threw a no-hitter the night prior against Utah. The start also happened to be Hingst's first of the season and the no-no was the 10th in Arizona State history.

 

 

 

 

In Person Autograph - Gerrit Cole

This post is a couple of months late, but I was able to get Gerrit Cole's autograph at the UCLA Alumni Game in January. In the past, it has been a mob scene trying to get his signature, but this year's event was on the same day as Dodgers FanFest, so things were noticeably more subdued.

As the Pirates have black tops, I wondered if his autograph would show through on the card, but my fears were unfounded as the card turned out great.