JD Davis Baseball Cards: A Late Bloomer Finds Success in Queens
JD Davis’ MLB career began in 2016 with the Houston Astros as a bench utility player, seeing limited action over his first few seasons. While he showed flashes of promise at the plate, it wasn’t until after being traded to the New York Mets ahead of the 2019 season that Davis began to realize his potential. This breakout season led to increased interest from collectors in JD Davis baseball cards from 2019 and beyond.
Early Career and Rookie Cards (2016-2018)
Davis was drafted by the Astros in the sixth round of the 2014 June amateur draft out of Cal State Fullerton. He steadily progressed through Houston’s farm system before making his MLB debut in 2016 at age 24. Davis’ earliest baseball cards come from this debut 2016 season with Houston.
Some of the key JD Davis rookie and early career cards include:
2016 Topps Update #US261 – Davis’ first major brand card depicts him in an Astros uniform from his MLB debut season. It holds value for collectors as one of his earliest issued cards.
2017 Topps #541 – Another uniform card, this time showing incremental improvement in his second MLB season still with Houston.
2018 Topps Update #US300 – By his third season in the majors Davis had earned more playing time, though production was still limited as a part-timer.
While not high dollar cards yet, these early releases give collectors Davis’ MLB rookie season and track his first few years breaking into the big leagues with the Astros. Card values remain under $10 each but provide a baseline for following Davis’ progression.
Breakout in New York (2019)
Prior to the 2019 season, the Astros traded Davis to the New York Mets for pitcher JD Hammer. This move would prove pivotal for Davis’ career. Given more consistent at-bats, the then-26-year-old blossomed in his first campaign in Queens. Davis slugged a career-best .521 SLG percentage with 22 home runs in just 415 at-bats, emerging as a middle-of-the-order force.
Card values reflected Davis’ newfound success on the diamond. Some highlight 2019 releases include:
2019 Topps #648 – Davis’ first Mets card shows the power surge, with collectors taking notice of his breakout season. Values around $15-20.
2019 Topps Update #US301 – Another update card chronicling Davis putting it all together in New York. Scarcer print runs push values to $25-30 range.
2019 Topps Chrome Update #USC301 – The prized refractor parallel offers a brilliant Davis autograph front in Mets blue. Higher end parallels sell over $100.
Davis’ star turn in his first full season with the Mets created excitement from collectors eager to commemorate his arrival in Queens. 2019 remained his biggest year in terms of production and the cards reflect the former sleeper’s new bat-first reputation.
Continued Success in 2020-2021
Carrying momentum from 2019, Davis produced at a high level once again in the shortened 2020 campaign. Playing consistently as the Mets’ starting third baseman, he slashed .247/.357/.451 with 9 home runs through 57 games.
Top cards from 2020:
2020 Topps #300 – Another uniform issue, with Davis entrenched as a middle-of-the-order force. Values $10-15.
2020 Topps Update #US300 – Pricier refractor parallels push prices up to $20-25 range on the 2020 Update card.
In 2021 Davis enjoyed his most productive season yet, racking up a career-best .252 average with 19 homers and a .792 OPS. He established himself as one of baseball’s top platoon corner bats. His hottest 2021 cards include:
2021 Topps Update #US301 – Fourth year in the Update series, chronicling his breakout success story. Near $20.
2021 Topps Chrome Update #USC301 – Gorgeous refractor parallel remains a prized card, reaching up to $50-75.
Later inserts and parallels from high-end products also command premiums due to Davis’ ascent into the heart of the Mets’ lineup and order. Collectors stayed engaged following his upward trajectory.
Continued Success or Trade Bait?
Entering 2022, Davis remained penciled into New York’s starting third base job. His value also lends himself to trade rumors as a productive left-handed bat on a reasonable contract. If dealt, the latest chapter in Davis’ chronicles may find him in a new city and uniform for collector’s updated rosters.
At 29, Davis is still in his prime and could potentially be a valuable trade asset for the Mets, or continue building his success story in Queens. Either way, collectors will watch with interest to see how JD Davis’ baseball cards progress after a journey from organizational player to productive everyday starter. The path from prospect sleeper to established big leaguer serves as an inspiration for late bloomers in the hobby and sport alike.
