The 2014 baseball card season featured rookies like Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Angels outfielder Mike Trout having another dominant year. While it’s still early, some 2014 cards are already proving to be worth notable money for collectors and investors. Let’s take a look at some of the top 2014 baseball cards that have gained value in a relatively short time period since being released.
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels – Trout has quickly become the best player in baseball and continues to rise in value each season. Even though Trout cards from earlier in his career like his 2009 Bowman chrome rookie card fetch tens of thousands, his most recent cards hold value as well due to his age (only 23 in 2014) and track record of dominance on the field. Trout’s 2014 Topps base card sells for around $10-15 raw, while a PSA Gem Mint 10 graded version recently sold on eBay for just under $200. Trout’s 2014 Topps Update card in a PSA 10 has brought over $400 at auction. With Trout in the midst of what could be an all-time great career, it’s safe to expect his 2014 cards to rise substantially from here as the years pass.
Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers – As a top overall prospect who made his MLB debut in 2015, Seager quickly put himself on the map with an exceptional rookie season that saw him finish third in Rookie of the Year voting. His 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect card shot up dramatically in price post-debut, with PSA 10 examples now approaching $500. Even Seager’s 2014 Topps Update base card has seen a significant bump, with high-grade PSA/BGS copies selling for $75-150 depending on the census report population. If Seager continues on his current All-Star trajectory, his 2014 rookie cards could become quite valuable given he debuted just a year later in 2015.
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers – Already considered one of the top pitchers of this generation, Kershaw keeps getting better with age. While his earliest Dodgers base cards may be out of the price range of most collectors, his most recent 2014 issues hold value due to his superstar status. A 2014 Topps Update base Kershaw card can be acquired for under $10, but a pristine PSA 10 example went for $375 last year. His 2014 Topps Finest refractor also pulled in over $150 in a PSA 10 slab. As Kershaw seems a lock for the Hall of Fame when done, his career-defining cards from this stage of his career will likely only go up in the coming years.
Jacob deGrom, New York Mets – DeGrom broke out as a National League Rookie of the Year and ace of the Mets staff in 2014. Many collectors and investors overlooked his cards during the initial release frenzy for fellow rookies like Seager and Billy Hamilton. Now, with deGrom establishing himself as one of MLB’s premier right-handed starters, his 2014 gear is appreciating. A PSA 10 2014 Topps Update deGrom currently sells in the $125 range, while his 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect card surpassed $400 PSA 10 last year. As Mets mania grows in New York, values of deGrom’s cards from his early years may approach that of Matt Harvey’s rookie goods if he remains an anchor of their success.
Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees – The Japanese ace came stateside with much fanfare in 2014 and ultimately solidified himself as a staff leader. Tanaka’s cards jumped earlier than expected due to increased Yankees fandom and robust Asian collector interest overseas and domestically. His slick 2014 Topps Finest refractors in PSA 10 condition have cleared $500. Even the base Topps Update card fetches $40-60 for top grades. As the Bronx continues winning, there’s little doubt Tanaka’s Yankee tenure will drive high demand for icons from this era going forward.
Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds – Considered one of the fastest players in MLB, Hamilton made a big splash when he stole a record 155 bases in the minors in 2012 before debuting in Cincinnati in 2013. Despite immense speed, his bat hasn’t fully developed to match. As such, while early cards like 2012 Bowman Chrome are still affordable, values fell off as doubts emerged about his long term potential. With improving adjustments at the plate in 2014, Hamilton’s cards began rising again. His 2014 Topps base sells for $10-15 in PSA 10 condition, while a 2014 Topps Update Gem Mint copy fetched $45 earlier this year. If his bat comes around as projected, Hamilton’s 2014 issues could prove quite valuable going forward.
Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals – While 2012 Topps Update Harper rookies remain well out of reach for most, his later Topps base cards are more obtainable for true Harper enthusiasts. Even still, his on-field dominance combined with ever-growing fan appeal drive prices up steadily across the board. Harper’s 2014 Topps Update base card is nearing $20 raw, and a PSA 10 sold for $150 online this summer. As one of MLB’s marquee stars for years to come barring any dramatic career changes, Harper’s most recent Topps issues look poised to become affordable trademarks from his long tenure of stardom.
This covers some of the top 2014 rookie and star player baseball cards that are proving worthwhile investments less than five years since release. While the vintage and ancient hobby will always carry more cache, modern issues for stars like Trout, Kershaw, and Harper offer opportunity to get in relatively early on what should become valuable career-defining relics over the coming decades as these players cement reputations among the game’s greats. condition is imperative to maximize potential returns, so rigorous grading from authorities like PSA and BGS serves collectors and investors well for preserving and authenticating quality over the long haul. The 2014 rookie class especially seems poised for bigger strides in the coming seasons.
