The 2007 Upper Deck baseball card release is highly sought after by collectors over a decade later due to several very valuable rookie cards and short printed parallels. While the core set itself was rather unremarkable at the time, it featured rookie cards and prospects that have since become coveted by the hobby. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the cards from 2007 Upper Deck that are now amongst the priciest from that year.
Perhaps the most famous and valuable 2007 Upper Deck card is the Mike Trout rookie autograph card (#322). Trout went on to win American League MVP awards in 2014 and 2016 with the Los Angeles Angels while establishing himself as one of the greatest players of his generation. In 2007 he was still just a highly touted prospect in the Los Angeles Angels system. The Trout autograph was one of the rare “Hit Parallels” inserts in Upper Deck’s release that year with an extremely low print run. In near mint condition a PSA 10 graded version of this card recently sold at auction for over $400,000, making it effectively the most valuable mainstream release card from 2007. With Trout’s playing career still ongoing and his legend growing, this one could even further in price in future years.
Another Angels rookie that has gained tremendous value over time is Jered Weaver (#255). A reliable workhorse starter who threw a no-hitter and made an All-Star team, Weaver had a solid MLB career though fell short of superstardom. Still, his Ultra Diamond parallel from 2007 Upper Deck, serial numbered to just 25 copies, has sold for upwards of $8,000 in pristine condition. This is undoubtedly Weaver’s most desirable and valuable baseball card. Likewise, fellow Angel prospects Nick Adenhart (#325) and Trevor Reckling (#309) have gainedcollector interest due to their untimely deaths – Adenhart in 2009 and Reckling in 2008. Their rare parallels can surpass $1,000 each.
Speaking of tragic stories, one of the set’s most infamous cards is Josh Hamilton’s rookie (#270). Prior to his baseball success, Hamilton battled severe drug and alcohol addiction that derailed his career for years. Copies of his rookie signed directly after these struggles can reach $500-1000. Meanwhile, his rainbow foil parallel is one of the harder 2007 Upper Deck pulls and has sold for over $2,500 in gem mint condition. Hamilton reemerged as an MLB star and MVP award winner later in his career, adding to the significance and mystique surrounding this particular card issue.
While the Angels prospects garnered much attention, 2007 was also a big year for rookies on several playoff contending teams. Dustin Pedroia had a breakout season en route to AL Rookie of the Year honors for the Boston Red Sox. His Ultra Diamond parallel (#347) reaches the $1,000-2000 range. Elsewhere, Geovany Soto helped lead the Chicago Cubs to the playoffs while claiming NL Rookie of the Year. The limited Cubs parallels of his rookie card (#323) can exceed $500-1000 each as well. Meanwhile, short print parallels of pitchers like Cole Hamels (#304), Jonathan Papelbon (#306), and Justin Verlander (#333) routinely approach four figures due to their postseason success and World Series rings.
Aside from rookies, 2007 Upper Deck had several star veteran “Headliners” parallel inserts that have gained value as well. Rainbow foil parallels of Derek Jeter (#HL6), Chipper Jones (#HL9), and Albert Pujols (#HL13) frequently sell for $300-800 based on the player and grade. The set also included highly sought after 1/1 printing plate autographs of chase stars like Alex Rodriguez (#PLA7), David Ortiz (#PLA20), and Ichiro Suzuki (#PLA36) that can fetch tens of thousands when offered at auction in recent years.
While 2007 Upper Deck had some flaws as a core product, it undoubtedly produced some of the most valuable modern-era cards around a decade later. Rookie stars like Trout and short printed parallels of former and future greats have made select issues hugely significant for today’s collectors. For those willing to invest and wait patiently, the set contained cards that have appreciation tremendously over time. It serves as a reminder that you never know when a simple pack or box purchase may yield a legendary rookie or parallel that could someday be worth many thousands.
