Baseball cards have seen a huge surge in popularity and value over the past couple of years. With the rise of online selling platforms like eBay and increased nostalgia for the hobby, now is a great time to consider investing in certain baseball cards. In this article, we will look at some of the best baseball cards to buy right now based on their current demand and potential for future appreciation.
Rookie cards of current star players: One of the safest bets for baseball cards with upside is rookie cards of superstar players who are still active in the league. For example, cards of Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout from his 2009 rookie season with the Angels have skyrocketed in value in recent years. With Trout cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time, his rookie cards have increased over 1000% in the last decade. Other top active players whose rookie cards are hot commodities include Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. These players are all under 30 and likely have many more productive seasons ahead of them, so their rookie cards remain a solid long term investment.
Vintage rookie cards of Hall of Famers: Looking a bit further back in history, the rookie cards of players enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame will likely always hold value due to their significance. One of the most coveted rookie cards is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, considered the rarest and most valuable trading card in existence. Most collectors cannot afford such a high-priced item. More reasonably priced vintage rookie cards to target include Mickey Mantle (1951 Topps, 1953 Bowman), Willie Mays (1951 Bowman), Hank Aaron (1954 Topps), and Nolan Ryan (1966 Topps). These players were all-time greats who are permanently etched in baseball lore. As long as the sport is around, collectors will want their earliest trading cards.
Autograph cards of legends: For collectors wanting cards signed by their favorite players, autograph cards of retired stars who have since passed away are highly sought after. Some affordable options to consider include signed cards of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Greg Maddux, Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench and Cal Ripken Jr. As these players continue gaining legendary status in the years following their careers, their autographs can be expected to rise in value at a steady clip. The rarer the autograph parallel, the more desirable and valuable it will be long term.
Rookie autograph cards of current stars: Combining the demand for rookie cards and autographs, rookie autograph cards of active superstars represent a smart area to put money. The best options tend to be low-numbered parallels from high-end products like Topps Chrome Autograph Refractors or Bowman Sterling Autographs. Examples of rookie autograph cards that could pay off well in the long run include cards signed by Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Wander Franco and Shane Baz. As these players cement their careers, their earliest signed cards will gain recognition as important pieces of baseball history.
Top prospects and draft picks: For a riskier but potentially higher reward play, cards of top prospects and high draft picks who have yet to make the majors can be worth considering. Players like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., CJ Abrams and Jackson Jobe have all the tools to become future stars and their cards can still be acquired for relatively low prices. It’s important to do thorough research on a player’s abilities and long term outlook before investing in prospects. But hitting on a breakout star could yield a huge return down the road.
Key vintage stars: Last but not least, vintage cards of all-time greats will always be sought after collectibles. While their rookie cards may be cost prohibitive, cards from the early stages of some legends’ careers can still be found at reasonable prices. Examples include a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, 1957 Topps Willie Mays, 1967 Topps Tom Seaver, or 1972 Topps Johnny Bench. These represent obtainable pieces of iconic players’ careers that are likely to hold or increase in value long term as interest in vintage memorabilia remains strong.
By focusing on rookie cards of current stars, vintage rookies of Hall of Famers, autographs of legends and impact prospects, savvy collectors can find solid baseball card investments to buy right now. Diversifying among these categories allows coverage of both established stars and high-upside youth. With patience and a long term outlook, these types of cards offer good chances to build collection value for years to come.
