Ok, we all know the drill by now. Donruss is terrible -- no logos, boring photos, repetitive and sloppy. But it's a new year, and just like your favorite team, everyone starts in first place. Nimmo's not about to hit, so already that's some variety from Panini for a position player. And hey, check out his socks! Is Donruss allowing some personality to break through this year?
Well, the backs are still nothing special. I would love it so much if one year Panini would make an effort to be bold. Honestly, what do they have to lose?
The main card types - Rated Rookies (different colors on the back!), Diamond Kings (not to be confused with the Diamond Kings set), an ode to the 1985 Donruss set (mostly rookies and 2nd year players here), and base cards / base card variations (Yeli is short for Yelich-- get it?). Do they think about the details? Like, what's the method for selecting Rated Rookies? Why not add the player's position on that blank banner? I think that if they don't have the logos, they could ditch in uniform poses altogether for the portrait section. Catchers generally get a pass because there's no logo on the chest protector / shin guards / etc. Does Panini pay for photos from Getty like Topps, or do they have photographers? If they have photographers, they must be restricted to a very small part of the field... way too many shots from the same angle continues to be a problem. The name variation thing is fun, I just think they could benefit from being more creative with their gimmicks.
Here are the "inserts" - four position players, all at the plate, never more than 50% of their face is showing... like, you have the player's association license, you can show what they look like. It makes even more sense on the rare chance that you can show the logo that you'd get a more interesting photo, but hey, why strain yourselves? With Soto, why not a bat flip? Or any different angle at all? The Franchise Features insert is a good concept - established guy on the front, prospect on the back. (Estevan Florial is on the back of the Springer card). But again, essentially the same photo on both sides - without the name I'd just have to take your word for it about which player it is.
Twins! The blaster I purchased had some purple refractors in it, was happy to have found a Twin inside. Psst, if you pull any Willians Astudillo cards in your Donruss packs, send them to me. He's the best. YOU are the best for sending them to me.
Here are the most interesting cards I pulled. Catchers get to have a little personality - and hey, funky socks on the bottom row! Panini/Donruss, take some risks in 2020, please!
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