Bailey Ober Baseball Cards Overview
Bailey Ober is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. The 27-year-old Ober made his MLB debut in 2021 and has begun to establish himself as a solid mid-rotation starter for the Twins. While still early in his career, Ober has shown promise that could make him a worthwhile investment for baseball card collectors. This article will provide an in-depth overview of Bailey Ober’s career and the existing and potential future baseball cards featuring the young Twins hurler.
Career Background and Path to the Majors
Ober was drafted by the Twins in the 12th round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of the University of Connecticut. He spent four seasons in the Twins minor league system, working his way up from Low-A to Triple-A. Ober posted strong numbers in the minors, with a career 3.21 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 4 seasons and 93 games (79 starts).
His breakout season came in 2019 when he made 24 starts between Double-A and Triple-A, going 11-5 with a 2.99 ERA and 118 strikeouts over 129.2 innings. This performance helped him enter the 2020 season as one of the Twins top pitching prospects.
The 2020 minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ober spent the year at the Twins alternate training site, continuing to develop. In 2021, with spots open in the Twins rotation due to injuries, Ober finally got his first big league opportunity at age 26.
2021 Rookie Card Debut
Ober made his MLB debut on May 3, 2021 against the White Sox. He tossed 5.1 innings of one-run ball, earning a no-decision in a game the Twins ultimately lost. This outing showed the promise and poise that would come to define Ober’s rookie season.
He became a regular in the Twins rotation, making 21 starts and posting a respectable 4.19 ERA over 107.2 innings. Ober’s rookie season performance earned him several baseball card releases in 2021 products like Topps, Bowman, Stadium Club and more.
The most notable of these is likely his Topps Chrome Update rookie card. As one of the final flagship Topps products of the year, Update usually receives the most attention from collectors. Ober’s card in this set features his photo from his MLB debut against the White Sox, making it the definitive visual record of his rookie season.
2022 Season and Beyond
Ober entered 2022 looking to build upon his rookie campaign and cement his place in the Twins rotation. Injuries limited him to just 16 starts so far, but he has continued to pitch effectively with a 3.75 ERA over 78 innings.
If he can maintain this level of production over a full season in 2023, Ober’s stock as a future Twins stalwart could rise considerably. As a result, his existing 2021 rookie cards could appreciate in value as a long-term investment.
There is also potential for new Ober cards in 2022 and 2023 releases if he continues progressing in his career. Products like Topps Chrome, Bowman Chrome, and Topps Update often feature second or third year player cards. Staying healthy and productive would make Ober a candidate for new inserts.
Summary
While still early in his career, Bailey Ober has shown promise that he can be a steady mid-rotation starter for the Twins going forward. His 2021 rookie cards were the first to feature the young righty, led by his Topps Chrome Update RC. If he builds on his success and remains with Minnesota, Ober’s existing rookie cards have potential to increase in value as a long term baseball card investment. Collectors will want to watch his progress to see if new Ober cards emerge in future seasons as well.
