MLB Briefs: Weekly Market Movement

Here are some of the players' cards that experience market movements in the last week. The first figure is the average TAC for last week, and the second is the average for this week (through 7/28)

• 99 Topps Traded Alfonso Soriano Auto - $109.58 -> $129.25 (+17.9%)
• 01 Bowman Chrome Ref Jake Peavy - $43.87 -> $37.60 (-14.3%)
• 02 Bowman Chrome Draft Cole Hamels - $24.48 -> $20.12 (-17.8%)
• 04 Bowman Sterling Scott Kazmir Auto/Jsy - $11.39 -> $15.91 (+39.7%)
• 02 UD Prospect Premiers Prince Fielder Auto - $178.63 -> $167.92 (-6%)
• 01 UD Prospect Premiers Ryan Howard - $31.94 -> $26.74 (-16.3%)
• 04 Donruss Elite EE Hunter Pence Auto - $142.87 -> $113.90 (-20.3%)
• 04 Bowman Chrome Felix Hernandez Auto - $111.81 -> $95.30 (-14.8%)
• 05 Bowman Sterling Ryan Braun Auto - $52.93 -> $85.11 (+60.8%)
• 05 Bowman Chrome Draft Ryan Braun Auto - $145.66 -> $158.13 (+8.6%)
• 05 Bowman Chrome Draft Ryan Braun Ref Auto - $196.35 -> $218.78 (+11.4%)

No surprise about Ryan Braun's Auto RC's jumping in price this week (and almost every other week recently!). He has emerged as the Brewers' star hitter, batting .350 with 11 HR & 24 RBI so far this month, just as pre-break star Prince Fielder has cooled off, hitting just .282 with 3 HR & 9 RBI during the same period.

Scott Kazmir, my #1 pick for pitcher investments (age 23-25) is starting to attract hobby interest, although his Auto RC's are still great deals are current TAC price levels. Did you see his ace performance against Matsuzaka & the Red Sox today? He went 6 innings & allowed 6 hits, 0 runs, 1 BB with 8 K's. Too bad his offense didn't kick in till the 7th, giving him a no decision.

Now is a good time to buy Jake Peavy & Felix Hernandez cards. Both have been falling in value due to inconsistent performances, but both remain solid long term investments. Get them now before they start moving up again.