Baseball cards have long been a beloved hobby for collectors of all ages. From the early tobacco cards of the late 19th century to the modern era of inserts, parallels, and autographs, baseball cards have evolved significantly over the decades but remain one of the most popular collectibles in the sports world. With so many options available on the market today, it can be difficult to determine which current baseball cards are the best investments and most desirable among collectors. Here is an in-depth look at some of the top baseball cards to consider adding to your collection now.
One of the most sought-after rookie cards today is that of Los Angeles Dodgers star Cody Bellinger from 2017 Topps Series 1. Bellinger burst onto the MLB scene in 2017 by winning NL Rookie of the Year and has established himself as one of the premier power hitters in baseball. His rookie card remains one of the hottest commodities, as the 25-year-old is in the prime of his career. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples of Bellinger’s rookie card recently sold for over $800, showing the strong demand. Another rookie card at the top of many want lists is Atlanta Braves phenom Ronald Acuña Jr’s 2018 Topps Series 1 introduction. Acuña followed up a stellar rookie campaign by winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2018 and has only gotten better since. Like Bellinger, the 23-year-old Acuña is just starting what looks to be a Hall of Fame caliber career.
For collectors seeking vintage cards of established superstars, you can’t go wrong with a Mike Trout rookie from 2009 Topps or Bowman. Widely considered the best player in baseball today, Trout’s rookie cards remain some of the most valuable modern issues. High-grade PSA 10 Trout rookies have eclipsed the $10,000 price point. Similarly, cards of Los Angeles Angels teammate and fellow superstar Shohei Ohtani are highly sought after by collectors. Ohtani’s 2018 Topps Series 1 and Bowman Chrome rookie cards led the way when he first broke into the majors as a two-way star. The 27-year-old has only solidified his status as a generational talent in the years since. PSA 10 Ohtani rookies have sold for over $1,000, showing the strong long-term potential these cards possess.
For collectors looking to invest in the next generation of stars, cards of young phenoms like Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Wander Franco should be high on the list. Soto dazzled in his rookie season of 2018 and at just 22 years old has already established himself as one of the game’s most complete hitters. His 2018 Topps Series 1 rookie is an anchor for many collections. Tatis Jr. has wowed with his electrifying play and charisma since debuting in 2019. The 23-year-old shortstop’s rookie cards, especially Topps Chrome parallels, are some of the hottest on the market. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Rays starlet Wander Franco is considered a true “once in a generation” talent and broke onto the scene last season. Franco’s 2021 Topps Series 1 rookie looks poised to become one of the most valuable modern cards long-term.
For collectors seeking rare parallels and autographs of today’s stars, premium modern products are where the high-end action is. Sets like Topps Chrome, Bowman Chrome, Topps Transcendent, and Topps Tier One offer some of the scarcest parallels and serially numbered hits on the market. Refractors, negatives, autos, and 1/1 printing plates from these types of sets featuring stars like Acuña, Soto, Tatis Jr., Ohtani, and more are where six and seven figure card prices reside. Even base rookies and parallels from these premium modern releases command big bucks compared to standard issues. For example, a standard Acuña rookie may fetch $50-100, while a Topps Chrome refractor could go for $1,000 or more depending on grade.
When considering the best baseball cards to add to your collection now, it’s also important to factor in hall of fame caliber veterans who are still producing at an elite level. Cards of superstars in the prime of their careers like Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and more will retain strong collector demand for years to come as long as they continue racking up accolades and all-time great seasons. High-end autographs and serially numbered parallels from the likes of these future hall of famers are always a safe bet, even for established veterans. And for the true whale collectors, ultra-rare 1/1 printing plates and game-used memorabilia cards of the games’ greatest active players will likely retain or gain value for decades.
When assessing the best baseball cards to consider adding to your collection now, it’s wise to focus on rookies and stars early in their careers, premium modern parallels and autographs, as well as proven hall of fame talents still producing at an elite level. Cards from sets like Topps, Bowman, Topps Chrome, Transcendent and Tier One featuring players like Acuña, Tatis Jr., Soto, Bellinger, Ohtani, Trout and more fit these criteria. With careers still being written, these types of cards offer the best chance at long-term appreciation and potential for paying dividends further down the road. By focusing on the game’s emerging talents mixed with its established greats, savvy collectors can build a baseball card portfolio positioned for growth both now and well into the future.
