The 2020 Leaf Metal draft baseball cards generated a lot of hype leading up to their release last year. Leaf is known for their high-end metal card products, and their 2020 draft release was highly anticipated by collectors.
Leaf released three parallels of its draft cards – the base Leaf Metal draft cards, along with 1/1 diamond parallels and gold signature parallels. The designs featured images from the draftee’s college or high school playing days coated in metallic ink on metal cards. This gave the portraits of the newly drafted players a very premium and valuable feel in the hands of collectors.
Some of the biggest names from the 2020 draft class were featured, including Spencer Torkelson (Tigers), Austin Martin (Blue Jays), Asa Lacy (Royals), Emerson Hancock (Mariners), and Nick Gonzales (Pirates). With many considering this draft class incredibly talented, having the first card of these players be on luxurious metal stock added excitement.
The base Leaf Metal draft cards had a printing of only 250 copies each. This extremely low print run immediately created a sense of scarcity and value. Most boxes of 2020 Leaf Metal draft contained around 4-6 cards, so hitting any of the top draft picks was always a thrill. Within weeks of the product’s launch, many of the biggest names had already surpassed the $100 price point in near mint condition on the secondary market.
In addition to the base parallels, Leaf also included 1/1 diamond parallel versions of select draft cards. These single copy diamond parallels took the rarity and extravagance of the release to an entirely new level. Crafted from metal and featuring a diamond-cut design and coating, these ultra-premium patches stood out amongst even the flashy base Metal cards. Securing a 1/1 diamond parallel of a player like Torkelson or Martin guaranteed a true hobby prize.
Completing the trio of parallels were the gold signature cards. On these parallels, the drafted player’s autograph was etched onto the card in gold ink. This created an irresistible collectible marrying the luxurious feel of metal with the thrill of a prospect’s autograph. Gold sig parallels were inserted at a rate of one per case of Leaf Metal draft, cementing their status as the jewels of the set.
When the 2020 draft class debuts in the majors over the coming years, collectors who snapped up their inaugural Leaf Metal rookie cards will be sitting on some extremely coveted pieces of memorabilia. Not only does the product feature the prospects in an extravagant presentation befitting their status as the future of baseball, the incredibly low print runs have virtually guaranteed high longterm demand. Even relatively unknown names from the draft hold value simply because their debut on the hobby’s premier metal stock was limited to under 300 copies worldwide.
Interestingly, Leaf chose to feature draft prospects rather than true rookie cards in their Metal release. This added an element of risk, as not all the drafted players will inevitably make the majors. It also presented opportunity. Any draftee who does breakthrough has a chance to become incredibly significant figures in the hobby, exponentially growing the value of their already highly scarce Metal card. The 2020 class is shaping up to be full of future stars, making these early cards all the more desirable for speculative collectors.
The combination of superlative design and production quality, renowned brand backing, and virtually non-existent supply has cemented Leaf Metal’s 2020 draft baseball cards as true heavyweight contenders in the memorabilia marketplace. Even relatively unknown prospects hold incredible longterm potential. For collectors who secured cards of the biggest names, investments in Spencer Torkelson or Austin Martin Metal rookies are poised to pay dividends for decades as their careers unfold. The hobby awaits excitedly to see how the stories of the 2020 draft class pan out – and how their inaugural Leaf Metal cards are remembered.
