Baseball cards have long been a popular investment and collecting hobby for both casual fans and serious investors. The baseball card market sees fluctuations in prices year over year as certain players rise and fall in popularity and value. For 2018, here are some of the top baseball cards that experts predict will continue growing in value or present solid investment opportunities.
Rookie cards for young superstar players like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Mookie Betts are always wise long-term investments. Trout has established himself as the best player in baseball and his 2009 Bowman Chrome rookie card already sells for thousands in top condition. As Trout continues shattering records and cementing his legacy as an all-time great, his rookie card will only become more valuable with time. Harper and Betts are also young superstars still early in what look to be Hall of Fame careers, so holding onto their top rookie cards is a smart bet.
Veteran superstars still producing at an elite level also offer value. Cards of Albert Pujols, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander remain sound investments as these future Hall of Famers continue racking up accolades and awards deeper into their 30s. So long as they stay healthy and on the field, their classic rookie cards and top career parallels and refractors will hold and gain value for years to come.
Rookie cards for top young prospects like Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Eloy Jimenez, Forrest Whitley, and Kyle Tucker are another low-risk, high-upside area to target. If any of these uber-prospects emerge as the next big stars, their rookie cards could explode in price. And even if they don’t reach those heights, they still hold value as elite prospect cards. The 2016 Bowman Chrome Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie is already a hot ticket that could pay big dividends.
Vintage stars from the 1980s and 1990s also offer opportunity. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards have skyrocketed in the last year and will likely continue their rise as Griffey mania sweeps the collecting world again. Other stars of that era like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Cal Ripken Jr., and Tony Gwynn have also seen renewed interest and sharp price increases on their best rookie cards from the late 80s. With the nostalgia factor high for these players who many collectors grew up watching, their vintage rookies seem poised to remain in high demand.
Rookie cards for breakout young stars are another area with huge upside. Players like Cody Bellinger, Aaron Judge, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, and Kris Bryant had explosive rookie seasons in recent years. If they continue on a Hall of Fame career path, their already valuable rookie cards could multiply in price dramatically. Bellinger’s 2017 Topps Chrome Update rookie sold for around $100 last year but could be worth thousands long-term. Judge’s 2017 Topps Series 1 rookie was a bargain under $20 in early 2017 but now sells for hundreds.
Autograph cards for franchise players offer a unique collectible for super-fans but also strong potential as an investment. Top signed rookie cards for the likes of Trout, Harper, Kershaw, Verlander, Scherzer and more command thousands due to their rarity and appeal to serious collectors. Lower-end autograph cards of top prospects also carry value that can explode if the player emerges. The autograph market shows no signs of slowing either, keeping signed cards a viable area for both collecting and investing.
Rookie patch autograph cards that combine the rookie card, autograph, and on-card memorabilia all in one super-short-print card offer the ultimate in rarity, fan appeal, and long-term investment upside. Trout, Harper, and Judge rookies with swatches of their first MLB jerseys number less than 10 copies in existence. While costing 5 figures now, such one-of-a-kind pieces could eventually sell 6 or even 7 figures to the right motivated collector one day. They represent the pinnacle achievement for any baseball card investor.
Focusing on top young stars, Hall of Famers still in their prime, elite prospects, and vintage 80s/90s stars offers the best risk-adjusted upside in the baseball card market for 2018. Diversifying across these areas mitigates risk while targeting the cards with the most potential for long-term appreciation. Rookie cards, autographs, and one-of-a-kind memorabilia cards provide unique collectibles and investments. By doing thorough research and targeting the right players, serious collectors can build baseball card portfolios poised to grow substantially in value for years to come.
