When it comes to investing in baseball cards, rookie cards often provide the best opportunity for growth and appreciation over time. The emergence of a star player can dramatically increase the value of their rookie card, making these speculative investments quite lucrative for savvy collectors. With another baseball season underway, now is an ideal time to evaluate some of the top rookie cards that could be wise long-term investments going forward into 2022 and beyond.
One of the most hyped rookie cards today belongs to Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani. As perhaps the greatest two-way player of his generation with elite skills both pitching and hitting, Ohtani has quickly become one of baseball’s biggest attractions. His 2018 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card #132 has already skyrocketed in value since his breakout MVP season in 2021. PSA 10 gem mint examples now sell for $800-1000, a huge increase from just $100-150 a year ago. With Ohtani in the prime of his career and continuing to dazzle on the mound and at the plate, his rookie card has a very high ceiling and seems poised to appreciate further.
Another rookie card with immense long-term potential is Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Still just 21 years old, Rodriguez has all the tools to be a perennial All-Star and is off to a scorching start in 2022. His 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie #178 has been a hot commodity, with PSA 10s now selling for $300-400. That’s up from just $80-100 last fall before his breakout potential was fully realized. Rodriguez has superstar written all over him, and as he continues delivering highlight-reel plays for years to come, his rookie card could ascend to the $1000-1500 range or higher within the next 3-5 seasons.
Two other rookies from the 2021 class that bear watching are Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco and Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene. Franco smashed records as the youngest player to hit in the majors last year at just 20, while Greene has plus power and speed that could make him a regular all-star caliber player. Franco’s Topps Chrome Refractor #151 currently sells for $250-300 graded PSA 10, up from $150-200 last fall. Meanwhile, Greene’s Topps Chrome Refractor #168 holds steady at $150-200 but has plenty of room for appreciation as he establishes himself. Both have the talent to be franchise cornerstones for a decade plus.
Beyond recent rookies, one card with an exceptionally high ceiling long-term is Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Fernando Tatis Jr’s 2019 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie #193. Still just 23, Tatis is a budding superstar and face of MLB, with game-changing power and speed. PSA 10 examples of his rookie card have exploded from $150-200 in 2020 to $1200-1500 now. But with Tatis locked up in LA through 2034 and in the absolute prime of his career, there’s reason to believe his card could one day rival the values of superstar icons like Ken Griffey Jr, Mickey Mantle, or Honus Wagner in the $5000-10,000 range within the next 5-10 years.
A few other established young stars with rookie cards holding strong long-term value include Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr, San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr, and Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Acuna’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto #BCP70 currently fetches $600-800 graded PSA 10. Tatis’ 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto #BCP70 is in the same $600-800 range. Meanwhile, Guerrero’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto #BCP70 brings $400-500. All three are just entering their primes and should remain cornerstone stars for a decade or more, keeping their rookie cards highly sought after.
Of course, investing in the cards of unproven prospects also provides opportunity, though with much more risk. Two of the most hyped prospects for 2022 were Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez and Kansas City Royals catcher MJ Melendez. Baez’s 2021 Topps Chrome Prospects Auto #107 has already more than doubled from a $50-75 price last fall to $150-200 now. Meanwhile, Melendez’s 2021 Topps Chrome Prospects Auto #103 jumped from $75-100 to $150-200. Both have All-Star caliber tools and could pay big dividends, but investing also carries the risk of them not panning out. Do diligent research on any prospect before going all-in.
As with any investment, diversity is wise when building a baseball card portfolio. In addition to rookies and prospects, consider proven veterans who still have career milestones within reach as well. For example, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt just hit his 300th home run and is closing in on other career marks. His 2009 Topps Chrome Draft Picks Auto #D4 still sells for a reasonable $150-200 PSA 10. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is chasing his 3rd career Cy Young award at 34 – his 2008 Topps Chrome Draft Picks Auto #D7 fetches $250-300. Taking a balanced approach of rookies, prospects, and veterans helps manage risk while maximizing upside.
When investing in the rookie cards of today’s emerging stars and tomorrow’s potential phenoms, do thorough research, buy selectively, and be prepared to hold items for several years to fully realize their potential appreciation. The cards of Shohei Ohtani, Julio Rodriguez, Wander Franco, Riley Greene, Fernando Tatis Jr, Ronald Acuna Jr, Vladimir Guerrero Jr and others profiled here offer compelling long-term upside based on their established or projected talent. With patience and luck, some of these cards could grow to become true six or even seven-figure valuables like the all-time greats before them.
