2012 Leaf Valiant Draft Baseball Cards

2012 Leaf Valiant Draft is a prospect-focused set with 7 unique parallels and CMYK printing plates. The set design is likely inspired by the forever favorite 1998 Donruss Crusades set. The etching and refractor finish makes these cards pop and the on-card autographs augment their significance. While the set is primarily made up of rookie-era players, Albert Pujols and Pete Rose both made it into the set, which make for interesting breaks in the set focus.

This is a sophomoric release as Leaf launched Valiant in 2011. I remember learning about this set when it came out that year. I came across it while on break in my office at the job I had at the time. I was excited to see the 1998 Donruss Crusades design concept utilized but with a different angle. To share in the excitement I immediately texted my friend, Ryan. I always thought Leaf did a great job with its sets and 2012 Leaf Valiant Draft is one of my favorites. These are just really pretty cards.

To see what’s currently on eBay from 2012 Leaf Valiant Draft, click here.

Eddie Butler enjoyed a 5-year professional career from 2014-2018. He spent a few years with the Colorado Rockies and a couple years with the Chicago Cubs then had a cup of coffee with the Texas Rangers. In that time he collected 12 Wins but 22 Losses, and a career ERA of 5.80.¹ Here’s the sale record for the card depicted:

Sold: July 29, 2023
# of Bids: 3
Final Price: $2.47

---

Set Information:

Important Date(s)
October 30, 2012	Release Date

Set	Total Cards	Print Run(s)
Base	95	–
Black	95	3-5
Blue	95	25-99
Orange	92	10-99
Purple	95	25
Red	95	1
Yellow	95	5-10
Printing Plates Black	95	1
Printing Plates Cyan	95	1
Printing Plates Magenta	95	1
Printing Plates Yellow	95	1

Checklist:

The three players with asterisks next to their names were not included in the Orange parallel set.

Card #	Player(s)	Card #	Player(s)
VA-AA1	Albert Almora	VA-LM1	Lance McCullers Jr.
VA-AA2	Austin Aune	VA-LS1	Lucas Sims
VA-AH1	Andrew Heaney	VA-MA1	Martin Agosta
VA-AH2	Alen Hanson	VA-MB1	Mitch Brown
VA-AP1	Albert Pujols	VA-MF1	Max Fried
VA-AR1	Addison Russell	VA-MG1	Mitchell Gueller
VA-AR2	Avery Romero	VA-MH1	Mitch Haniger
VA-AW1	Alex Wood	VA-MK1	Michael Kelly*
VA-BB1	Byron Buxton	VA-MN1	Mitch Nay
VA-BB2	Barrett Barnes	VA-MO1	Matt Olson
VA-BJ1	Brian Johnson	VA-MO2	Marcell Ozuna
VA-BM1	Bruce Maxwell	VA-MS1	Marcus Stroman
VA-CB1	Chris Beck	VA-MS2	Matt Smoral
VA-CC1	Carlos Correa	VA-MS2	Miguel Sano
VA-CH1	Courtney Hawkins	VA-MW2	Michael Wacha
VA-CK1	Carson Kelly	VA-MZ1	Michael Zunino
VA-CR1	Colin Rodgers	VA-NC1	Nick Castellanos
VA-CS1	Corey Seager	VA-NM1	Nomar Mazara
VA-DC1	Daniel Corcino	VA-NM2	Nestor Molina
VA-DD1	David Dahl	VA-NT1	Nick Travieso
VA-DJD	D.J. Davis	VA-OA1	Oswaldo Arcia
VA-DM1	Deven Marrero	VA-PB1	Paul Blackburn
VA-DR1	Daniel Robertson	VA-PC1	Phillips Castillo
VA-EB1	Eddie Butler	VA-PJ1	Pierce Johnson
VA-FR1	Felipe Rivero	VA-PL1	Pat Light
VA-GC1	Gavin Cecchini	VA-PR1	Pete Rose
VA-JA1	Jesus Aguilar	VA-PW1	Patrick Wisdom
VA-JB1	Josh Bell*	VA-RO1	Rougned Odor
VA-JB2	Jorge Bonifacio	VA-RR1	Rio Ruiz
VA-JB3	Jairo Beras	VA-RS1	Richie Shaffer
VA-JB5	Jeremy Baltz	VA-RS2	Ravel Santana
VA-JC1	Jamie Callahan	VA-SP1	Stephen Piscotty
VA-JDC	Joe DeCarlo	VA-SS1	Sam Selman
VA-JG1	Joey Gallo	VA-ST1	Stryker Trahan
VA-JG2	Jeff Gelalich	VA-SW1	Shane Watson
VA-JOB	J.O. Berrios	VA-TB1	Ty Buttrey
VA-JP1	James Paxton	VA-TC1	Tony Cingrani
VA-JR1	James Ramsey	VA-TG1	Tyler Gonzalez
VA-JS1	Jorge Soler	VA-TH1	Ty Hensley
VA-JV1	Jesmuel Valentin	VA-TJ1	Travis Jankowski
VA-JW1	Jesse Winker	VA-TN1	Tyler Naquin
VA-KB1	Keon Barnum	VA-TR1	Tanner Rahier
VA-KG1	Kevin Gausman	VA-VR1	Victor Roache
VA-KP1	Kevin Plawecki	VA-WM1	Wyatt Mathisen
VA-KZ1	Kyle Zimmer	VA-WW1	Walker Weickel
VA-LB1	Luke Bard	VA-YP1	Yasiel Puig
VA-LB2	Lewis Brinson	VA-ZC1	Zach Cone*
VA-LG1	Lucas Giolito

To see what’s currently on eBay from 2012 Leaf Valiant Draft, click here.

References:

1. Eddie Butler. www.baseball-reference.com ↩︎