The Card: 2015 Gypsy Queen on card auto, #GQA-AA
How I got the Auto: I bought it on ebAy and received it April 20, 2015.
About Abraham Almonte: In 2005 the Yankees signed him as an amateur free agent. In 2013 he was traded to Seattle for Shawn Kelly. In 2014 he was traded to the Padres for Chris Denorfia. He played in thirty-two games for the Padres. He was traded to the Indians in 2015 for Marc Rzepczynski. After the Indians he played for the Royals and D'backs. He returned to San Diego in 2020 and played in seven games. He played with the Braves, Red Sox and Mets. After being granted free agency in 2023 he has been playing in Mexico. He is playing this season for the Piratas de Campche.
Interesting: The Memorial patches for both Jerry Coleman and Tony Gwynn are visible on this card.
Between: Billy Almon and Roberto Alomar
Up Next: Matt picks #1234, Gene Tenace
Contest: Since I would like to give away the first eBay $20 before the end of September, I will give you a clue. One of Bretts' picks is just two numbers off.
The Card: 2017 Topps #24
How I got the auto: I bought it on eBay earlier this year, receiving on July 1.
About Christian Friedrich: He was drafted by the Rockies with their first pick in 2008. He made his major league debut on May 9, 2012 for the Rockies against the Padres. In February of 2016 the Rockies released him and he signed with the Padres in March. He made his Padres debut May 13, 2016. In October of 2017 the Padres released him due to sustained injuries. In 2019 he played with the independent Burlington Bees. He played in the KBO, before signing with White Sox. He didn't play in 2020 because of the pandemic. He then played for the Lexington Legends and the Chicago Dogs. He was released by the Dogs in April of 2022.
Between: Max Fried and Ernesto Frieri
Up Next: Batting Out of Order picked #19, Abraham Almonte
Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking. Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph. Please choose a number between 2-1389. No batches, individual numbers only. No one has chosen the correct number yet.
The Card: 2015 Bowman #BCP-60
How I got the Auto: I sent the card to him through the mail and he sent it back in 2015.
About James Needy: He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 draft by the Padres. He played in their system from 2009-2015. Derek looked into his missed systems of 2010 and 2016, and found in 2010 Needy was injured for the season and missed 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgersy. In 2017 he was in the Marlins system and played for four different teams.
Between: Blaine Neal and Tyson Neighbors.
Up Next: Fuji picked #408, Christian Friedrich
Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking. Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph. Please choose a number between 2-1389. No batches, individual numbers only. No one has chosen the correct number yet.
Someone has come within four numbers of the secret Padrograph.
The Card: 2016 Bowman #BP-56
How I got the Card: I bought it on eBay and received it May 27, 2016
About Logan Allen: Logan was drafted by the Red Sox in 2015. In November of 2015 he was traded to the Padresw with several other players for Craig Kimbrel. He made his MLB debut with San Diego in June of 2019. In July of 2019 he was part of a three team trade that sent him to Cleveland and brought Taylor Tramell to San Diego. He also played for Baltimore and Arizona. He has played for teams in Korea in 2025 and this year.
Between: Dusty Allen and Carlos Alamanzar
Up Next: Batting Out of Order picks #10, Mike Aldrete
Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking. Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph. Please choose a number between 2-1389. No batches, individual numbers only. No one has chosen the correct number yet.
The Card: Shoebox Heroes, Series 1, #445
How I obtained the auto: ABC Unlimited was taking part in a signing with Eddie Miller and I made the card and they got it signed.
About Eddie Miller: He was drafted by the Rangers in 1975, he made his major league debut in 1977. In December of 1977 he was part of a four team trade that sent him to Atlanta. He played for the Braves from 1978-1981, he was then traded to the Tigers where he played in 1982. In 1983 Tigers traded him to the Phillies, in '83 he played for the Portland Beavers, the Phils' AAA club. In February of 1984 the Phillies released and in August he signed with the Padres. He appeared in 13 games for the Padres, hitting the only home run of his career in final major league at bat. In 1985 he played for the Beaumont Golden Gators, the Padres AA affiliate in the Texas League. He played in Mexico in 1986-1987.
Fun Fact: I had help on this card. It is actually a picture of Eddie with the Braves. I believe Travis Peterson of Punk Rock Paint did the transformation, but it might have been Gavin of Baseball Card Breakdown. I can't remember now. The picture was originally a photo of Eddie in a Braves uniform.
Between: Drew Miller and Mason Miller
Up Next: Ohio Tim picks #15, Logan Allen
Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking. Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph. Please choose a number between 2-1389. No batches, individual numbers only. No one has chosen the correct number yet.
The Card: 2020 Bowman Draft Picks, #BD-99
How I obtained it: Bought it on eBay and received it December 23, 2020
About Justin Lange: The Padres picked him in the 2020 draft. He didn't play at all in 2020 due to the Pandemic. In 2021 he appeared in nine minor league games for the ACL Padres. In 2022 he was traded to the Yankees for Luke Voit. He played in 2022 and 2023 for the Yankees minor leagues. He missed all of 2024 with a shoulder injury, in 2025 he again played in the Yankees system. He was released in early 2026 by New York and signed to play in an independent league, that only lasted a few games before he was released.
Between: Jason Lane and Mark Langston
Up Next: Fuji picks #824, Eddie Miller
Contest: There is a secret Padrograph lurking. Whomever picks the number of the secret Padrograph will win a $20 eBay gift certificate. When the secret number is chosen I will pick another Padrograph. Please choose a number between 2-1389. No batches, individual numbers only. No one has chosen the correct number yet.
Sean Manaea pitched for the Padres in 2022.
I got both of these on Ebay. I wasn't looking for the Mercado because he didn't show up on the MLB roster, but he is in a Padres uni so I grabbed them.
My wife and I are going to Tacoma tomorrow to see the Tacoma Rainiers play the El Paso Chihuahuas on Tuesday. I am going to try and get signatures from JP Sears, Will Wagner, Bryce Johnson and Rodolfo Duran.
The Player: C.J. Abrams
The Card: 2019 Bowmans Best Certified Auto #B19-CJA
How I obtained the Auto: I bought it on eBay and received it on January 21, 2020. That was my Dad's last birthday on earth and my little brothers 56th birthday.
About the Player: CJ was the 6th pick overall in the 2019 draft. The Padres signed him on June 2019. He played a couple of seasons in the minors before being making his MLB debut for the Padres on April 8, 2022. His time with the Padres was short as he along with several other players were traded on AUgust 2, 2022 to the Nationals for Juan Soto and Josh Bell. He made his debut with the Nationals on August 15, 2022. He was named to the Major League All Star team in 2024 and 2026.
Fun fact: He is named after his father Christopher Paul Abrams, Sr. CJ is short for Chris Junior.
Between: Shawn Abner and Ed Acosta
Up Next: Fuji picks #678, Justin Lange
Contest: The secret Padrograph is still lurking out there. Joe Pittman is the closest number so far. We roll on. Pick the right number and you will win a $20 eBay gift card.
