Brandon Velaski
Chicago
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Leila's husband. Aiden's dad. @ASU alum. Free agent video producer. Card collector. NFL Draft fanatic. Tortured Vikings fan.
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Articles by Brandon Velaski
2026 Bowman Chrome Preview
Every year, Bowman Chrome is generally viewed as “boom or bust” given the heavy influence of international signings being included. This year is no different, but is packed with plenty of hitters, all with unique skill sets. The best place to buy and rip 2026 Bowman Chrome is at your local Lids store. You can find hobby boxes at stores around the country releasing on September 9th.
2026 Topps Chrome: Too Much of a Good Thing Original
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: Topps' baseball cards from the 2016 season are on display during the "Open Topps Baseball Series 1 Cards " event at the Topps' offices on February 10, 2016 in New York City. (Kris Connor/Getty Images) The best place to buy and rip 2026 Topps Chrome is at your local Lids store. You can find hobby and value boxes at stores around the country. In 50+ Lids stores, you can win a free jersey by ripping your chrome baseball packs in-store.
2026 Bowman Baseball: Is it Worth the Hype?
Next week, on May 13th, Topps will be releasing their latest box sets with the release of Bowman Baseball 2026. What follows is your guide to everything you need to know about the new release, from where to buy, to what to look forward to in this year’s addition. Where to Buy The most difficult part of any Bowman release is finding a place to purchase product at retail prices. Just Baseball has teamed up with Lids to make sure our readers get access to Bowman product at retail.
2026 Bowman Baseball: Is it Worth the Hype?
KNOXVILLE, TN - JUNE 01: Tennessee Volunteers infielder Andrew Fischer (11) celebrates his home run during the NCAA Division I Regional Tournament baseball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on June 1, 2025, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Next week, on May 13th, Topps will be releasing their latest box sets with the release of Bowman Baseball 2026.
Celebration of Legacy 75 Years in the Making Original
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres hits a single in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day at Petco Park on March 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) Topps is celebrating their 75th year of creating baseball cards, and it’s evident right from the jump as the packaging consists of Hank Aaron, Ken Griffey Jr., Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge paying homage to the past as well as the present.
Rookie Cards to Chase in Bowman Draft’s Upcoming Release
The recent success of Paul Skenes and Trey Yesavage has helped the pitching market rise, which will only continue with the latest Bowman release showcasing the top-tier arms that were drafted last July. Let’s take a look at some of the top prospects featured in the upcoming Bowman Draft release, and which you should be hoping to find. Whatcha Talkin’ Bout Willits?
Rookie Cards to Chase in Bowman Draft's Upcoming Release
The recent success of Paul Skenes and Trey Yesavage has helped the pitching market rise, which will only continue with the latest Bowman release showcasing the top-tier arms that were drafted last July. Let’s take a look at some of the top prospects featured in the upcoming Bowman Draft release, and which you should be hoping to find. The main attraction of every Bowman Draft release is the promise that the previous draft’s No. 1 overall pick is always featured front and center.
2025 Topps Chrome Update Preview
2025 Topps Chrome Update is the final flagship release of 2025 featuring the illustrious rookie debut patch autos and other high-value rookie auto cards. 2025 Topps Chrome Update releases on December 10th, 2025 and you can find product at your local Lids store around the country. Just Baseball has teamed up with Lids to support all Topps releases at their stores.
2025 Topps Chrome Update Preview
2025 Topps Chrome Update is the final flagship release of 2025 featuring the illustrious rookie debut patch autos and other high-value rookie auto cards. 2025 Topps Chrome Update releases on December 10th, 2025 and you can find product at your local Lids store around the country. Just Baseball has teamed up with Lids to support all Topps releases at their stores.
2025 Bowman Chrome Guide: Is It Worth the Hype?
2025 Bowman Chrome features the league’s hottest young stars and prospects, along with 1st Bowman’s of the top IFA signings. It can be a bit of a crapshoot when the chase names are primarily international signings who can be even more hit or miss than those found in Bowman Draft or Bowman Baseball products, but that doesn’t mean this year’s release isn’t filled with some high upside names and electric inserts for some of the top rookies in the game.
2025 Bowman Chrome Guide: Is It Worth the Hype?
2025 Bowman Chrome features the league’s hottest young stars and prospects, along with 1st Bowman’s of the top IFA signings. It can be a bit of a crapshoot when the chase names are primarily international signings who can be even more hit or miss than those found in Bowman Draft or Bowman Baseball products, but that doesn’t mean this year’s release isn’t filled with some high upside names and electric inserts for some of the top rookies in the game.
Everything you need to know about 2025 Topps Chrome baseball
Generally, the most anticipated baseball release of the year, this season’s iteration of Topps Chrome is marred by price increases and a new insert that you may have to wait years to acquire. It’s Always About the Rookies As with every Topps Chrome release, it’s a chromium version of Topps Series 1 and Series 2 combined for one giant checklist. That means rookies. A lot of them. Autos too.
Everything you need to know about 2025 Topps Chrome baseball
Generally, the most anticipated baseball release of the year, this season’s iteration of Topps Chrome is marred by price increases and a new insert that you may have to wait years to acquire. As with every Topps Chrome release, it’s a chromium version of Topps Series 1 and Series 2 combined for one giant checklist. That means rookies. A lot of them. Autos too.
2025 Topps Chrome Black Review
It may not be a “high end” release in terms of price, but it looks and feels that way when you get your hands on it. Always one of my Top-5 favorite releases of the year so I had to open a few boxes for myself. Fun New Format The main difference you’ll notice between the 2025 iteration and last year’s release is the price of hobby boxes. As of this writing, you can get one for around $260. That’s a massive increase over the 2024 version that roughly went for around $180 months after it came out.
2025 Topps Chrome Black Review
It may not be a “high end” release in terms of price, but it looks and feels that way when you get your hands on it. Always one of my Top-5 favorite releases of the year so I had to open a few boxes for myself. The main difference you’ll notice between the 2025 iteration and last year’s release is the price of hobby boxes. As of this writing, you can get one for around $260. That’s a massive increase over the 2024 version that roughly went for around $180 months after it came out.
2025 Bowman Baseball Checklist: What you need to know
With the 2025 Bowman Baseball checklist out we want to get you prepared for who to hunt when opening boxes or buying into breaks as another season of prospecting begins. Whenever you’re buying a Bowman product, the main cards you’re looking for are those 1st Bowman autos. Those, along with their eventual Topps Chrome rookie autos are the cards that see the most market movement for any respective player.
Is the 2024 Topps Heritage High Number Release Worth It?
Just when we thought we could turn the page to 2025 Topps sets, they grab us back with another 2024 rookie class release in Topps Heritage High Number. A product that is aimed at set collectors and folks chasing the elusive red ink autos. Just when we didn’t think we’d have another crack to pull a Paul Skenes rookie card, Topps delivers. It won’t be the most sought after rookie card for the vaunted 2024 class, but landing a red ink auto of any rookie will be a prized possession for sure.
Paul Skenes MLB Debut Patch Auto Sells for $1.11 Million
One of the most anticipated card auctions in recent memory ended Friday morning on Fanatics Collects platform, netting a seven-figure sale for a young collector who pulled the card on Christmas. When Topps introduced the rookie debut patch auto in 2023 Chrome Update, it was an incredible innovation that helped make a lesser desired product more sought after. Placing a patch on a player during their first ever Major League game that would then live in a card was something collectors dreamed of.
Spring Training Standouts: Buy or Sell the Surging Card Market
With Spring Training in full swing and the baseball card market making moves, we’ll look at some players whose prices have seen movement given their play so far in the past few weeks. Will these guys finally become hobby darlings or is it a flash in the pan? Mead is largely overshadowed by fellow 2024 rookie shield holder Junior Caminero, but he has been nothing short of amazing these first two weeks. Mead’s currently hitting .778 with an OPS of 1.810.
2025 Topps Rookie Cards to Chase
As we embark on another baseball season, how good or deep the rookie class is ultimately determines the value of sealed product or break spots. With Series One already out we got an early look at some of the names garnering the ‘RC’ logo this year, but there will be more, so who will be the cream of this year’s crop? I lumped these two together for a few reasons. One is that they are far and away the main chase out of Series One, making Washington Nationals spots in case breaks very pricey.
NHL best bets: Devils at Avalanche
Brandon Velaski 2/25/2025 10:00:30 PM SIGN UP: Get the best player prop and game betting projections at BetAlytics. Use code "JUICE" for a special promo rate. The pick - Avalanche 3-Way ML (+120, BetMGM) New Jersey Devils (32-21-6) at Colorado Avalanche (33-24-2) Date: Wednesday, February 26 Time: 9:30 p.m. ET TV: ALT, MSGSN, KTVD, ESPN+ After enjoying the 4 Nations Face-Off, we're back to our regularly scheduled action on the NHL, where the playoff race is heating up.
Brandon Velaski 2/19/2025 10:46:19 PM SIGN UP:The pick - Canada ML (-110, BetMGM) Get the best player prop and game betting projections at BetAlytics. Use code "JUICE" for a special promo rate. The rematch everyone was hoping for will be played Thursday at Boston's TD Garden. Canada vs. USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off final became official after the Canadians hung on to beat Finland 5-3 on Monday.
Top Infield Prospects to Collect Ahead of Spring Training
As we wrap up our series of which prospects I believe will have the best chance to see a rise in market value this season, it’s time for the hitters who call the infield their home. This group is loaded with potential steals that also flash a variety of tools that collectors will Williams is one of two Rays on this list. Shocking I know given their track record of drafting or developing talent.
2025 Topps Series 1: What You Need to Know
Topps Series One is the quintessential kick off for every baseball card collecting season with an extremely high print run and plenty of cost-friendly options. The checklist is loaded with current stars, legends of the past and the next generation of young talent.
Top Outfield Prospects to Collect Ahead of Spring Training
We started this series with pitching prospects to target this spring that could have potential to see a price bump this upcoming season, so now we’ll move on to some hitters, specifically outfielders I like. The caveat here is that top hitters will always fetch a higher price tag than pitching equivalents on our Top 100 list.
Purchasing Prospects: Pitchers to Target Ahead of Spring Training Original
With less than two months until the 2025 Major League Baseball season gets underway, we here at Just Baseball wanted to give you some potential names to focus on who could see value increases this year. We’ll organize these in different position groups starting with pitchers, who have seen an uptick in hobby love thanks to Paul Skenes’ success last season.
How Paul Skenes Has Impacted the Market for Pitcher Cards
We all already know the impact Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has had on baseball. From the moment he was called up in early May of the 2024 season, he was nothing but dominant en route to the National League Rookie of the Year award. While the Pirates are generally thought of as a hobby killer, given their market size and lack of success over the past three decades, Skenes transcended that.
How Will Jayden Daniels' Card Market be Impacted by Win Over Lions?
The Washington Commanders are headed to the NFC Championship games after their shocking 45-31 upset win over the #1 seed Detroit Lions on Saturday night. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was unflappable, ending the game with 350 total yards and two passing touchdowns in the effort while playing mistake-free football. He was already in line to be awarded offensive rookie of the year and his card prices reflected that as he was the early chase for those ripping 2024 NFL product.
2024 Topps Bowman's Best Released, What You Need to Know
What other hobby box gives you a chance to pull autographs from the best veterans, rookies and prospects all in one product? Look no further than Bowman’s Best. The culmination of the season being one of the last releases on the 2024 Topps calendar. From die-cut inserts to patch autographs, I’ve got you covered on everything that encompasses one of my favorite products each year.
Are JJ McCarthy cards on the rise now that Sam Darnold's Minnesota tenure is done?
With the Vikings now eliminated from the playoffs, will we see a rise in JJ McCarthy prices now that it's clear he's the guy in Minnesota for 2025? In this story: The Minnesota Vikings lost 27-9 to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL Wild Card round of the playoffs thus ending their miraculous 14-3 regular season. Quarterback Sam Darnold looked like the Darnold of previous seasons being sacked nine times and turning it over twice as Minnesota lost back-to-back games by a combined 58-18.
No Playoffs, but are their cards a good buy?
With the NFL playoff matchups set, it's easy as a collector to focus on the players/teams that will be gracing our television screens over the next few weeks as you try to decide whether to buy, sell or hold those guys. Well what about the players who are out of site out of mind so to speak? There are potential buying opportunities now while everyone is focused on the battle for Super Bowl LIX. Here's a few names I will be looking to pick up over the next couple of months. 1.
Brandon Velaski 12/17/2024 11:57:41 PM Florida Panthers (19-11-2) at Minnesota Wild (20-7-4) Date: Wednesday, December 18 Time: 9:30 p.m. ET TV: TNT Well, I jinxed it. The only silver lining from last Thursday's wager on Golden Knights vs. Jets was the under still hit and at least Winnipeg lost in overtime to make it close. But none of that matters in betting. We move forward. Is the Toronto-Dallas matchup just as good? Sure, but I avoid betting on Stars games as they're the club I love.
NHL best bets: Rasmus Andersson in Blackhawks vs. Flames
Brandon Velaski 10/15/2024 5:06:28 PM Get the best player prop and game betting projections at BetAlytics. Use code "JUICE" for a special promo rate. The pick - Rasmus Andersson OVER 0.5 Points (+100, BetMGM) Saturday (and the Utah Hockey Club) treated me well. Since they're not playing Tuesday, I need to look elsewhere for a compelling matchup. Now, I know what you're thinking. Chicago and Calgary may not move the needle for you. But it's Connor Bedard.
“NCAA needs to get some new refs.” - @AuburnMBB’s Bryce Brown after controversial call at the end of their #FinalFour game vs Virginia
“NCAA needs to get some new refs.” - @AuburnMBB’s Bryce Brown after controversial call at the end of their #FinalFour ga...
Vikings fan angst: We’ve been burned before, but this season feels different
Jan. 17, 1999. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon in Cary, North Carolina, where I sat with my family and friends as the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC championship game. Gary Anderson, who’d yet to miss a kick all season, lined up for 39-yard attempt that would have given Minnesota a 10-point lead and assuredly sent them to their first Super Bowl in my brief lifetime. We all know what happened next. He missed left. Atlanta would tie it then win it in overtime.
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