Topps Signs Jason Heyward

 Content Originally Published by Sports Collectors Daily on April 20th, 2010.

Topps says it has reached a “promotional deal” with Atlanta Braves rookie phenom Jason Heyward.

The 20-year-old Georgia native will be highlighted in upcoming Topps products although the exact nature of what the partnership entails hasn’t been released.

According to the company’s blog, Heyward will be featured on numerous Topps products in 2010, including autographs on the following: Bowman, Topps Chrome, Allen and Ginter and Triple Threads.

Topps announced last week that Heyward would be the #1 card in the company’s Finest Rookie Redemption set and that random cards would be autographed, leading to speculation that an autograph deal with the young star was in the works.

Heyward, the subject of a lengthy Sports Illustrated feature this week, is erasing most doubts about the hype that has followed him since he was a high school phenom.

After contributing the two-run single that won Sunday’s game with Colorado, he’s hitting .301 with three homers, 15 runs batted in and a .423 on-base percentage in his first 12 games in the major leagues.  Heyward had only 173 at-bats above the Class A level in the minor leagues prior to the 2010 season.