Baseball cards have a special allure for collectors, especially rookie cards of players just starting their careers in Major League Baseball. These rookie cards are prized by collectors hoping to buy low and see value increase over time if that prospect becomes a star. In today’s sports card market, some of the hottest and most coveted rookie cards belong to young players who are making their mark early in their MLB debuts.

Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Miami Marlins (2018 Topps Chrome SP): Alcantara debuted with the Marlins in 2018 at age 22 and quickly established himself as a workhorse starting pitcher. In his first full MLB season in 2019, Alcantara threw an NL-high 208 2/3 innings with a 3.88 ERA. He continues getting better and was named an All-Star in 2021 after posting a 3.19 ERA in 32 starts. Alcantara’s 2018 Topps Chrome SP rookie card has seen a huge spike in demand and value due to his breakout performances. PSA 10 examples now sell for over $300, up significantly from just $40-50 a year ago. As one of the few aces on the Marlins pitching staff, Alcantara is cementing himself as a star and his rookie cards should continue climbing.

Ronald Acuña Jr., OF, Atlanta Braves (2018 Topps Chrome): Acuña became just the third player ever to hit 10 home runs before May when he debuted in 2018 at age 20. He was immediately electrifying fans in Atlanta with his combination of power, speed, and defense in right field. Acuña finished runner-up in NL Rookie of the Year voting and has only gotten better, making the All-Star team in 2019 and 2021 while slashing .281/.369/.525 over his career. His 2018 Topps Chrome rookie is one of the most Iconic and valuable modern rookie cards, with PSA 10s regularly selling for $750-1,000 due to Acuña proving himself as a true franchise cornerstone in Atlanta for years to come.

Wander Franco, SS, Tampa Bay Rays (2021 Topps Series 1): Franco made a dazzling MLB debut in 2021 at age 20 by reaching base in his first 35 games, breaking Frank Robinson’s 58-year-old record. He showed why he was considered the top prospect in baseball by slashing .288/.347/.462 as a rookie. Franco has all the tools to be a perennial All-Star and his 2021 Topps Series 1 base rookie has already surged to the forefront of the hot rookie card market. PSA 10 copies have exploded to $800-1,200 in value in under a year as Franco mania grips Tampa Bay. Barring any major setbacks, Franco’s rookie looks poised to take its place among the most iconic cards of the 2010s-2020s generation.

Nolan Gorman, 3B/OF, St. Louis Cardinals (2021 Topps Chrome Update): Gorman entered 2022 ranked as baseball’s #28 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline after batting .276 with 19 home runs at Triple-A in 2021. The left-handed slugger got his first MLB cup of coffee late last season, hinting at his powerful potential. With Matt Carpenter now gone, Gorman is expected to fill a need at third base or corner outfield for the Cardinals sooner rather than later. His 2021 Topps Chrome Update blue paper rookie has taken off, with PSA 10s now selling in the $150-200 range based on anticipation he’ll be a star if/when he sticks in St. Louis. Gorman looks like he could be the next Cardinals rookie sensation.

Alek Manoah, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (2021 Topps Series 2): Manoah exploded onto the MLB scene in 2021 by going 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA and 138 strikeouts over 23 starts (131 1⁄3 innings) as a rookie. His precocious success helped power the upstart Blue Jays back to the playoffs. The 6’6″ righty relies on an effective four-pitch mix highlighted by a mid-90s fastball and hard sinker. Manoah built buzz around his rookie cards throughout last season and his 2021 Topps Series 2 base RC is among the hottest on the market now at $120-150 PSA 10. As Toronto’s staff ace moving forward alongside José Berríos, Manoah looks positioned for stardom and his cards could appreciate significantly.

Juan Soto, OF, Washington Nationals (2018 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor): Even among Hall of Fame caliber rookie classes like 1998, where stars like Chipper Jones, Nomar Garciaparra and Francisco Rodríguez debuted, Juan Soto’s emergence in 2018 was truly remarkable. At just 19 years old, Soto slashed .292/.406/.517 with 22 home runs and 70 RBI, finishing second in ROY voting and leading Washington to a World Series title. His accomplishments and polished hitting ability at such a young age marked Soto as a true generational talent. His 2018 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor true rookie remains one of the crown jewels of the modern era, with PSA 10 examples valued north of $20,000 as Soto continues developing into a perennial MVP candidate for years to come.

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Detroit Tigers (2021 Topps Series 1): Taken first overall in the 2020 draft out of Arizona State, Torkelson entered 2022 ranked as the #1 overall prospect in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline after hitting .267 with 30 home runs and 91 RBI across two minor league levels in 2021. The left-handed power bat made his MLB debut that September as well. Expected to anchor the middle of Detroit’s lineup for years, Torkelson’s 2021 Topps Series 1 base rookie has become a favorite for collectors with PSA 10s nearing $200-250 based on his elite prospect status and anticipation of All-Star caliber seasons with the Tigers.

Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City Royals (2021 Topps Chrome): The #2 overall draft pick in 2019 out of high school, Witt zoomed through the minors and hit .290 with 33 home runs, 29 steals and an .894 OPS combined in 2021. He earned top prospect rankings and made his big league debut by September. Now installed as Kansas City’s starting shortstop, Witt could be the centerpiece of an exciting young Royals rebuild. His impeccably centered 2021 Topps Chrome blue paper rookie has also caught on, with a PSA 10 graded copy selling for over $350 based on Witt’s five-tool skillset and potential superstardom in KC.

This covers just a sampling of some of the hottest baseball rookie cards on the market today, belonging to young MLB talents who are primed to become household names if they continue on their current trajectories. Honorable mentions could also include cards like 2019 Bowman Chrome Blue Auto Refractor of Luzardo ($1,000 PSA 10), 2021 Topps Chrome Update Silver Pack Blue Refractor Paper of Kelenic ($150 PSA 10), and 1992 Leaf Gold Border Refractor of Bonds/Griffey Jr. ($15,000 raw). The allure of rookie cards lies in their ability to provide an affordable vehicle for collectors to speculate on and potentially profit from the career arcs of emerging baseball superstars. With solid play on the field, any of these rookies could really take off in value over the long haul.