The 2020 baseball season saw many new players make their debuts while established stars like Mike Trout and Ronald Acuna Jr. continued putting up great numbers year after year. As with any year in baseball cards, certain rare and coveted rookie cards, autographs and memorabilia cards from 2020 have already increased significantly in value and are worth investing in. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top 2020 baseball cards that could end up being quite valuable long term.
Perhaps the most sought after 2020 baseball card is Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani’s Topps Chrome Superfractor autograph card. Only 10 of these ultra rare cards were produced and it has already become one of the most expensive baseball cards ever created. Early PSA Gem Mint 10 graded examples have sold for over $50,000, showing amazing potential to increase even more in the years ahead as Ohtani’s Hall of Fame caliber career progresses. His regular autograph and base rookie cards from Topps, Topps Chrome, Bowman and Bowman Chrome are also very worthwhile investments at $500-1000 raw or higher graded.
Another obvious choice for 2020 cards to hold is anything featuring Los Angeles Dodgers young superstar Gavin Lux. He had a breakout season that showed why he has such high potential. Lux’s Topps Chrome Superfractor rookie autograph is extremely scarce, with demand driving PSA 10 prices over $15,000 already. Even his regular autograph cards from Topps Series 1 and Series 2 have doubled and tripled in value since release. Lux is capable of putting together a career that could land him in Cooperstown someday. His cards remain quite affordable compared to what they may be worth in 10-20 years if he realizes his full abilities.
Miami Marlins pitcher Sixto Sanchez made an immediate impact in 2020 with an electric fastball-changeup combo that could carry multiple Cy Youngs once he gains experience. HisTopps Chrome Superfractor auto sits at $4,000+ raw, with PSA 10’s bringing over 3x as much. Even Sixto’s mainstream Topps rookie cardsgraded a perfect 10 have nearly quintupled in value from release, as he is seen as a future ace in the making. With the Marlins on the rise as well, his cards carry both short and long term upside potential.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic dazzled in his brief debut and is one of the top prospects in baseball. While Kelenic’s rookie season was cut short by injury, his long term upside couldn’t be higher. All of his 2020 rookie autograph cards from Topps, Bowman and Chrome parallels could be worthwhile holds, but the real gems are numbereds like Topps Chrome Superfractor (#/10) and Rainbow Foil autos (/5). Early raw examples have doubled and some parallels have surpassed $1,000 graded already, indicating Kelenic may follow a similar trajectory as cards of past rookie of the year winners.
Another Mariners rookie, pitcher Logan Gilbert, made a very solid first impression and could potentially have an ace profile. Even though 2020 only provided a glimpse, his stock is quite high. Key Gilbert cards to watch include Topps Chrome Superfractor auto (PSA 10’s $1,300+) along with base variations from Topps Series 1 & 2 and Bowman Chrome. His cards lag behind others from the 2020 class currently but that could change quickly if he settles in as a frontline starter. With considerable upside left to realize, now is the time to grab affordable Gilbert cards to hold long term.
Other top 2020 rookie cards that could pay off hugely given time include Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane Baz, Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India, Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, Chicago White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal, Texas Rangers outfielder Leody Taveras and San Diego Padres shortstop CJ Abrams. All brought talent and promise in their debuts that leave their futures quite bright if development goes well. Their rarer parallels like Topps Chrome Supers could reasonably reach $1,000-5,000+ graded in the years ahead as careers blossom.
On the veteran side, superstars Mike Trout and Ronald Acuna Jr. remain slam dunk choices. While most of their existing base cards are pricey already, their rare autographed and memorabilia cards from 2020 Topps products like Topps Transcendent have reasonable asksin the $500-1500 range. Even non-rookie stars like Bo Bichette, Juan Soto and newly crowned NL MVP Freddie Freeman have many parallels like Topps Chrome Supers or Topps Big League autos that can double, triple or more as they continue lighting up the stat sheet for years.
The 2020 rookie class shows awesome promise with Ohtani, Lux, Sanchez and Kelenic leading the way. While cards of future superstars are never inexpensive long after the fact, 2020 provides a great opportunity to invest in today’s rising talents before they become household names. With patience, strategic additions of key parallels and serial numbered cards from rookies and veterans could really pay dividends over the next decade plus if 2020 serves as a prelude to continued success on the field. Baseball cards often prove to be one of the safest and most rewarding hobbies long term when focusing on the right players early in their ascent.
