2026 MLB Season Preview: Best Card Buys & Rookie Sleepers

This week on The Hobby Handbook, Clever Cuban Cards is joined by Jetbreakers Trent to break down everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 MLB season. But before we get to the baseball, we have to talk about Clever Cuban's horror story about ripping 2026 Topps Pristine (missing 5 autos in 4 boxes!) and the frustrating state of "insufficient evidence" claims when you get shorted. The duo also dives into the latest news at PSA regarding price increases and slower turnaround times, debating what this means for the bulk submission market and why Clever Cuban canceled his Collector's Club membership. Then, they shift gears to the diamond to preview the World Baseball Classic, identify Spring Training breakout candidates, and discuss which rookie sleepers you should be buying now—including names like Chase Burns, Christian Moore, and Jonah Tong. They also debate whether Pete Alonso to the Orioles is a buy or a bust and if Jackson Chourio can lead the Brewers deep into the playoffs. Finally, Alex and Trent go head-to-head in a "$10 Card Portfolio" challenge to pick their MVPs, Aces, and Top Prospects for the upcoming year on a budget. And, Alex shares his latest Arena Club trade, asking who won and who lost. If you're new to Arena Club, use promo code SCN to get 20% off your first slab pack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Episoder(53)

Have We Evolved Past Comps?

Alex is back solo this week with Trent in Mexico enjoying his time off. He dives into something that came up on The Ballcard Show last week - are comps dead? Plus, educating and protecting yourself in...

12 Aug 46min

The National Was Bigger and Better Than Ever

Alex and Trent are back from Rosemont after a week at The National. We look back at what worked and what didn't in and around The National. Plus, plans to make it bigger next year? We dive into pricin...

5 Aug 1h 12min

Fanatics Fest Recap & Topps Chrome Release Day

A jam-packed Hobby Handbook today as Alex and Trent are back from Fanatics Fest, prepping for The National, and also getting ready for the 2026 Topps Chrome Baseball release day. 0:00 - Everyone i...

22 Jul 1h 17min

Building The Best PC $20 Can Buy

Alex and Trent play a game where they start with $20 and a list of 15 players. They each need to build a PC of five players with their $20. Unfortunately for Trent, the exercise does not go well for h...

15 Jul 1h 6min

Card Show Etiquette & a Major Topps Announcement

It is very rare we get breaking news in the middle of a show, but after a major Topps announcement, we break down what their new pilot program with 2025-26 Topps Chrome Update Basketball mega boxes me...

8 Jul 1h 18min

Steps You Can Take to Improve Your Card Business

On Hobby Handbook this week, Alex has another consulting session, this time with Zack's Bowman Hacks! 0:00 - Intro to Zack and his business 4:50 - Selling cards, but not live selling or at card show...

1 Jul 1h 5min

How to Make it in the Card Business with Brandon Stuff

Brandon Stuff has gone from zero followers to nearly 40,000 followers on Instagram in less than a year as he continues to build his card business. While he's focused on buying Shohei Ohtani and Paul S...

24 Jun 55min

Nationals No. 2 Prospect P Travis Sykora on Collecting His Own Cards

On this episode of The Hobby Handbook with Alex and Trent, we discuss the release of Topps Dynasty and how with a product like this the singles market will always be your friend. Plus, Nationals No. 2...

17 Jun 1h