The 2019 baseball season gave collectors of sports cards many exciting rookies and performances to chase. While rookie cards will always hold value over time, the 2019 season in particular saw some incredible debuts that produced hugely popular new trading cards. With lengthy analysis of the top rookies and veterans from last season, this article will break down the most desirable baseball cards from 2019 releases.
Beginning with the rookie class, no newcomer shined brighter than San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. Tales of his five-tool talents were well known coming into the season, but no one predicted his immediate impact and elite play. Tatis smashed 22 home runs in just 84 games and dazzled with spectacular defense at shortstop. This made any of his 2019 rookie cards extremely sought after. His Topps Chrome Update Blue Refractor Parallel Auto is one of the costliest at over $1,000. Other desirables include his Topps Base Auto, Stadium Club Chrome Auto, and Bowman Chrome Auto. As long as he continues developing into a perennial MVP candidate, Tatis cards will retain value.
Staying in San Diego, catcher Francisco Mejia also arrived as a highly-touted prospect and his rookie cards gained traction. Though his playing time was limited, Mejia showed off a smooth swing and arm behind the plate. Collectors chased parallels of his Topps Chrome Update RC Auto and Bowman Chrome RC Auto. Another catcher breakout involved Bryan Lavastida, who appeared in 17 games for the Nationals late in the season. Lavastida possesses good power potential and his autographed versions of Topps Chrome, Bowman Chrome, and Stadium Club RCs earned demand.
The American League saw two shortstop rookies dazzle in Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette and Rays’ Brandon Lowe. Bichette wasted no time making an impact, slashing .311/.358/.537 with 11 home runs over 46 games. Among the most sought RC parallels were his Topps Chrome Update Blue Refractor Auto and Bowman Chrome Rainbow Foil Auto. Lowe spent most of the year in the minors but homered in his MLB debut and collected 23 total in just 70 games. His Topps Chrome Update Red Refractor Auto and Bowman Chrome Auto hold strong collector interest going forward.
Other rookie position players that gained traction included Yankees slugger Mike Ford, Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado, Giants second baseman Mauricio Dubon, and Angels pitcher/hitter Jared Walsh. Their Topps, Bowman, and refractors on the market from Chrome Update have seen increasing buyer attention. On the pitching side, Mariners’ Justin Dunn, Rangers’ Brock Burke, and White Sox’ Dylan Cease had low print run autos that collectors eyed as high-upside arms. The 2019 rookie class was so deep and full of thrilling debuts that it created demand across all of their notable rookie card releases.
Moving beyond rookies, superstar veterans often drive the highest prices in modern trading cards. In 2019, two legends chasing milestones saw their cards make huge impacts. When Albert Pujols neared 700 career home runs playing for the Angels, collectors clamored for any of his rare parallels. His Topps Authentic Signed on-card auto parallel to /99 skyrocketed over $2,000 raw once Pujols eclipsed the 700 mark. Likewise, when the Yankees acquired pitcher CC Sabathia in July, collectors bid up any auto cards of his in anticipation of 3,000 career strikeouts. In Topps Archives, his auto parallel also reached over $2,000 upon Sabathia crossing that threshold.
Staying on the milestone front, cards of Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer gained steam after the fireballer tossed a video game-like 13 strikeout, no-hitter season. His 2019 Topps Heritage auto parallel /50 and Topps Chrome red refractor auto both raked in thousands. On a hitting note, Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber compiled a monster 38 home run season at Wrigley. Topps Update Blue Refractors shot to over $200 each as collectors bought into the revival of his power ways. Another slugger turning heads in 2019 was Mets rookie Pete Alonso, who smashed an NL rookie-record 53 home runs. His 2018 Bowman Chrome 1st auto parallels escalated beyond $300.
Rookies and veterans were not the sole drivers of 2019 trading card demand, as special insert sets generated massive popularity too. Topps Transcendent Collection paid tribute to historic cards from the 1950s/60s, featuring intricate reproduction designs. Boxes were scarce and inserts like the Mickey Mantle sold out instantly online over $500 each. Topps Heritage High Number also served up tough pulls like the Hank Aaron auto parallel /10 hitting ebay for over $1,200. Even relatively common Topps Big League short prints like a Gleyber Torres sold robustly over $50 each online. Such unique inserts amplified collector appetite across the entire 2019 landscape.
From new breakout stars to career milestones to tough-to-find inserts, the 2019 baseball season manifested into phenomenal modern trading cards across all the major brands. Sales data has proven that cards featuring rookies like Fernando Tatis Jr, veterans like Pujols/Sabathia, as well as rare variations from Topps products continue ascending in secondary market pricing. With an embarrassment of riches from the 2019 rookie class alone, coupled with exciting MLB storylines last year, collectors formed strong long-term demand for this year’s entire batch of baseball cards.
