The 2000s was an exciting decade for baseball cards. Many rookies emerged who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers, and cards from this era featuring these young stars can be quite valuable today if in the right condition. While it may be too early to tell which players from the 2000s will stand the test of time, there are certainly cards from this decade that hold significant value based on player performance and career milestones reached so far.
One of the most valuable 2000s rookie cards is that of Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout from 2009 Topps. Trout quickly established himself as one of the best players of his generation and has won three American League MVP awards so far in his career. In pristine mint condition, Trout’s 2009 Topps rookie card can fetch thousands of dollars. Even well-centered near mint copies in the 7-9 condition range typically sell for hundreds on the secondary market. Trout’s dominance on the field has created huge demand for his rookie card from collectors.
Another highly sought after 2000s rookie is that of New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter from 1993 Upper Deck. While not technically from the 2000s decade, Jeter’s rookie card experienced a massive spike in value and interest after his retirement and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020. Graded mint condition copies of Jeter’s iconic rookie card routinely sell for over $10,000 due to his status as one of the greatest Yankees of all time and one of the most accomplished shortstops in MLB history. Even well-centered near mint copies can sell for $2,000-$5,000 depending on the exact grade.
Two other 2000s rookies with cards that hold significant value based on their careers so far are Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw and St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Kershaw, still active, has cemented himself as one of the top pitchers of his generation with a career 3.01 ERA and three Cy Young awards to his name. His 2009 Topps rookie card sells for $500-1000+ in top condition. Goldschmidt, still producing at an All-Star level in his mid-30s for the Cardinals, has his 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Superfractor rookie card listed on eBay for over $10,000 in pristine condition. Even well-centered near mint copies sell for $2,000+.
Rookie cards are not the only 2000s baseball cards that hold value. Top prospect and star player cards from the middle of the decade can also fetch hundreds or low thousands depending on condition and the performance of the player. For example, the 2006 Topps Chrome Refractor parallel card of Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Ryan Howard sells for $300-500+ in mint condition. Howard went on to have one of the most prolific power hitting careers for a first baseman in MLB history. Cards featuring him as an emerging young star hold value. Likewise, the 2005 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Refractor parallel card of Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis sells in the $200-400 range in top shape given his excellent career.
Rookie cards and early prospect cards are not the only 2000s issues that can hold value. Insert sets and parallel cards featuring star players from the middle of the decade can also carry significant worth. For example, the 2007 Topps Chrome Refractor parallel card of New York Mets third baseman David Wright sells in the $150-300 range in top condition given his stellar career. Wright was one of the best position players of the 2000s and his star power is reflected in the value of inserts and parallels from the middle of his career. Likewise, the 2006 Topps Chrome Refractor parallel of Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard sells in the $300-500 range in top condition given his prolific power numbers.
Condition is especially crucial when assessing the value of 2000s cards. While raw copies may only be worth a few dollars, obtaining a high-grade professional designation from services like PSA or BGS can exponentially increase worth. For example, a PSA Gem Mint 10 copy of Derek Jeter’s 1993 Upper Deck rookie card recently sold for over $400,000 at auction. Even a Mint 9 copy would sell for $10,000+. On the other end, a well-centered Near Mint-Mint 8 copy might fetch $2,000-5,000 depending on demand. For modern issues, maintaining a card in pristine protective sleeves from the moment it is pulled can be the difference between a $20 card and a $200 card over a decade later.
While it may be too early to know which players from the 2000s will stand the test of time, there are certainly cards from this decade featuring young stars like Trout, Kershaw, and Jeter that hold significant value today. Rookie cards, prospect cards, and inserts/parallels featuring players who went on to have excellent careers can be worthwhile long-term investments, especially in top grades. Condition is extremely important when assessing modern cards. With patience and the right storage and protection, a few well-chosen 2000s cards could grow substantially in value as those featured players approach the Hall of Fame.
