The 1994 Upper Deck baseball card set was one of the most iconic releases of the 1990s. While not as scarce as some earlier sets, it contained rookies and star players that have grown exponentially in value over the past few decades. Below we analyze the 10 most valuable cards from the 1994 Upper Deck set based on their current PSA 10 Gem Mint prices.
Ken Griffey Jr. #1 – Even back in 1994, Ken Griffey Jr. was one of the most popular players in baseball thanks to his electrifying play and personality. His rookie card from Upper Deck is the crown jewel of the set. In a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade, it routinely sells for over $10,000 and has topped $15,000 at auction. Griffey went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is the most valuable from the 1994 set.
Albert Belle #84 – One of the most feared power hitters of the 1990s, Albert Belle’s rookie card is a desirable and exciting card for collectors. In a PSA 10, it sells for $2,000-$3,000. While not in Griffey’s league value-wise, Belle was a five-time All-Star and three-time reigning champion who slugged 50 or more home runs three times. His nasty on-field persona added to his card’s cachet.
Randy Johnson #163 – Even back in 1994, Randy Johnson’s enormous talent was evident. His left-handed fireballing led to 302 wins, 5,000+ strikeouts, and five Cy Young Awards over a 21-year career. In a pristine PSA 10, his rookie card trades hands between $1,500-$2,000. As one of the greatest pitchers ever, ‘The Big Unit’s’ first card holds value.
Javy López #224 – Javy Lopez was never a superstar, but he did carve out an excellent 15-year career mostly with the Atlanta Braves. Defensively, he was a wizard behind the plate. Offensively, he hit 242 home runs and made five All-Star teams. His 1994 Upper Deck rookie in a PSA 10 grades out around $800-$1,000.
Todd Hollandsworth #331 – Todd Hollandsworth never lived up to his lofty prospect status, but his rookie card remains a valuable sleeper pick from 1994 Upper Deck because it’s so scarce in high grades. In a PSA 10 Gem Mint, his first card has sold for as much as $800 before, thanks to strong demand from Braves collectors seeking affordable cards from their favorite team’s past.
Moises Alou #62 – The son of former All-Star Felipe Alou, Moises had a very good 17-year career mostly with the Astros, Expos, Cubs and Mets. He hit over .300 four times and belted 305 career home runs. A PSA 10 of his 1994 rookie sells in the $600-$800 range. Along with Javy Lopez, he represented the Braves well in the ’94 set.
Jason Bere #186 – By 1994, Jason Bere’s promise had faded a bit from his early ’90s minor league hype. But he did spend 11 seasons in the majors and posted a 4.33 ERA over 961.2 IP. Like Hollandsworth’s card, his rookie is quite rare in pristine condition. A PSA 10 recently brought $650 at auction, driven by demand from Cincinnati Reds collectors seeking affordable stars from the organization’s past.
Rob Dibble #197 – As the flame-throwing closer for the Big Red Machine clubs of the late 1980s and early ’90s, Rob Dibble struck fear into hitters with his upper-90s fastball. He totaled 120 saves in eight seasons. In PSA 10 condition, his 1994 rookie sells in the $500-600 range, helped by nostalgia for that exciting Reds era.
Bobby Ayala #315 – Bobby Ayala had a 16-year career mostly as a middle reliever and setup man, posting a 4.12 ERA. He played for several teams but spent his longest stint with the expansion Colorado Rockies from 1993-1997. His rookie card has gained traction thanks to its Colorado connection and relative affordability in a PSA 10 at $400-500.
Bob Hamelin #336 – Drafted 8th overall by the Cubs in 1994 out of Stanford, Bob Hamelin never panned out in the majors, playing just 49 games. But his rookie card remains surprisingly valuable for an unheralded player, trading hands for $400-500 in PSA 10 condition. Thanks to its low print run and Chicago/Ivy League fan demand, it cracks the top 10 from this classic set.
While not quite as scarce as the most famous vintage releases, the 1994 Upper Deck set endures because of the star rookies and players it features from the 1990s heyday of the sport. Led by Ken Griffey Jr.’s amazing rookie at the top, these 10 cards represent the most financially valuable from the set based on current PSA 10 prices. With timeless designs on renowned players, they remain favorites of collectors today.
