The 2020 baseball card season saw many rookies make their MLB debuts and star players continue to produce at high levels. As with every year, certain cards from the 2020 season have already started to gain significant value due to factors like a player’s performance, rare parallels, autographs and more. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable 2020 baseball cards on the market right now.
Perhaps the most sought-after rookie card from 2020 is Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts. In his first season with the Dodgers after being acquired in a trade, Betts played like an MVP and helped lead LA to a World Series title. Low numbered parallels and autographs of Betts’ flagship rookie cards from Upper Deck, Topps and Bowman have climbed steeply in value. His Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor rookie ranks among the priciest at around $1,000 already. Betts is still in his prime and should compete for more titles, making his rookie cards strong long term holdings.
Another rookie sensation was Miami Marlins pitcher Trevor Rogers. The 23-year-old lefty broke out in 2020 with a stellar 1.93 ERA over seven starts and announced his arrival as a future ace. Rogers’ Topps Chrome autographs and parallels have seen some of the hottest growth of any rookie, with his Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor auto changing hands for $800-900 already. As Rogers develops further, his cards could become even more valuable in the years to come.
Staying in Miami, Don Mattingly has begun his rebuild of the Marlins franchise around young talents like Rogers and Jazz Chisholm. Chisholm’s electric debut got card collectors excited about his prospect card values, with Topps Chrome Sapphire refractors selling for $400-500. Landing the team’s starting shortstop job right away bodes well for Chisholm’s continued popularity in the hobby.
Over in Cincinnati, rookie sensation Jonathan India electrified fans and card collectors with his Gold Glove caliber defense at second base and smooth lefty swing. India’s Topps Chrome Update Orange Refractor auto recently brought nearly $800 in an online auction, while his Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor auto went for around $450. India’s all-around play profiles him as a potential future All-Star, keeping interest in his rookies running high.
Of course, superstar veterans also see spikes in card value when they perform at the highest levels. Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout had another incredible season at the plate in 2020 and remains arguably baseball’s top player. Low numbered parallels and autographs of Trout’s flagship rookie cards remain out of reach for most collectors, but pulled autographed cards from 2020 Bowman Draft sell between $3,000-4,000 due to his unmatched track record of excellence. Trout’s greatness alone gives collectors confidence that any cards featuring him will retain value.
In the National League, Fernando Tatis Jr. emerged as one of the sport’s most dynamic and popular players. Between his flashy plays at shortstop, prodigious power and infectious joy for the game, Tatis has captivated fans across the country as the face of the San Diego Padres franchise. His Topps Chrome Sapphire Refractor parallel from 2020 sells in the $800-900 range, while any autographed Tatis cards from recent sets bring thousands due to the skills and hype surrounding the 22-year-old superstar.
Of course, the greatest rarity and demand will always be reserved for specimens featuring the true legends of the game who are no longer active. A recent sale on eBay showed a one-of-one autograph diamond relic card of New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter from 2020 Topps Legends Inaugural Patch Collection changing hands for a whopping $22,000. While out of reach for most, such exceedingly rare memorabilia of a player with Jeter’s storied career and brand value makes it among the most elite tier of collectors’ items in the hobby today.
The most valuable 2020 baseball cards so far have featured rising stars like Rogers, India and Chisholm who shined right away, perennial elites sustaining greatness like Trout and Tatis, and historic legends like Jeter capturing the hobby’s highest end. As players’ careers progress and certain parallels/signings get rarer over time, these cards could grow substantially in worth. For collectors, focusing on top talents beginning to prove themselves continues to represent sound investments alongside chasing the true one-of-ones when possible. The 2020 rookie class in particular offers plenty of long term potential that card investors would be wise to explore.
