The hobby of collecting baseball cards has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, driven in large part by millennials and Gen Z rediscovering their childhood pastime. While the vast majority of cards from recent seasons hold little monetary value, there are always a select few rookie cards, parallel variants, and autographed memorabilia cards that have the potential to be quite valuable in the short and long term. The 2020 season saw several promising rookies make their debut, so their rookie cards became hot commodities among collectors. Let’s take a look at some of the top baseball cards from 2020 that could be worth serious money down the road.
Wander Franco – Top 2020 Bowman Chrome Rookie Card
Considered the number one prospect in all of baseball, Rays shortstop Wander Franco lived up to the hype by hitting .288 with 5 home runs in 70 games as a 19-year-old in his rookie season of 2021. Franco is expected to be a perennial All-Star and maybe even win an MVP award one day. Not surprisingly, his rookie cards from 2020 sets skyrocketed in value after his debut. His top card is the 2020 Bowman Chrome Green Refractor parallel, limited to just 5 copies. Fresh PSA 10 gem mint examples of this ultra-rare Franco rookie have sold for over $15,000, but prices could easily reach $50,000 or more if he fulfills his potential. Even base Bowman Chrome and Paper rookies in PSA 10 are selling for $1,000-2,000 with room to grow.
Spencer Torkelson – 2020 Bowman Chrome 1st Rookie Card
Taken 1st overall by the Tigers in the 2020 MLB Draft, slugging first baseman Spencer Torkelson showed why he was such a coveted prospect by hitting .267 with 5 homers in his 2021 MLB debut season. He has drawn early comparisons to franchise cornerstones like Miguel Cabrera. Torkelson’s flagship rookie card is the coveted 2020 Bowman Chrome Refractor, which has already cracked the $1,000 price point for PSA 10s and could potentially rival the prices paid for Wander Franco cards long term if Torkelson becomes the perennial All-Star slugger many expect. Even base paper rookies are selling for $300-500 graded mint.
Austin Martin – 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto RC
Selected 5th overall by the Blue Jays in 2020, Austin Martin made his MLB debut in 2022 and showed off his elite bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility. Scouts believe he has the makings of a perennial Gold Glove winner and .300 hitter. His top card is the highly sought-after 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor rookie, limited to just /99 copies. Fresh PSA 10 examples have already traded hands for $3,000-5,000, but there could be room for much higher appreciation if Martin becomes an established star as expected. Even base Bowman Chrome rookies are selling for $500-1,000 graded mint.
Jarred Kelenic – 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto RC
Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic was one of the game’s top prospects and delivered on the hype by hitting .291 with 6 homers in his 2021 MLB debut season. While injuries slowed his progress in 2022, scouts still believe in his 5-tool potential. His flagship rookie is the 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor, limited to just /99 copies. PSA 10 examples have sold for $2,000-3,000 so far. If Kelenic puts it all together and becomes an All-Star caliber player as projected, this could end up being one of the premier rookie cards from the 2020 season long term. Even base paper rookies have traded around $300-500 graded mint.
Emerson Hancock – 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto RC
Projected as a future ace, righty Emerson Hancock was taken #6 overall by the Mariners in 2020. He made his MLB debut in 2022 and showed why he was such a blue-chip prospect. Hancock’s top rookie card is the coveted 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor, limited to /99 copies. Fresh PSA 10 examples have sold for $1,500-2,000 already. With his upside, this could rival the prices paid for top pitching prospect autos from years past if Hancock becomes an established frontline starter as expected long term. Even base paper rookies have sold for $200-300 graded mint.
Jasson Dominguez – 2020 Bowman Paper Auto RC
As one of the most hyped international prospects ever, outfielder Jasson Dominguez carried enormous expectations after signing with the Yankees for $5.1 million in 2019. While injuries have slowed his progress, scouts still drool over his five-tool potential. His flagship rookie is the coveted 2020 Bowman Paper Auto, limited to just /50 copies. Fresh PSA 10 examples have already sold for $3,000-5,000. If Dominguez eventually lives up to the hype, this could end up being one of the most valuable modern rookie cards long term. Even base paper rookies have traded hands for $200-300 graded mint.
Nick Gonzales – 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto RC
After being selected #7 overall by the Pirates in 2020, second baseman Nick Gonzales quickly proved why he was such a blue-chip prospect by hitting .321 with 27 homers in 2021 across two minor league levels. He made his MLB debut late in 2022. Gonzales’ top card is the desirable 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor, limited to /99 copies. Fresh PSA 10 examples have sold in the $1,000-2,000 range already. With his all-around hitting ability, this auto could appreciate significantly if Gonzales becomes an established everyday player at the MLB level. Even base paper rookies have traded for $150-300 graded mint.
Ed Howard – 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto RC
Cubs shortstop prospect Ed Howard entered pro ball as one of the highest-regarded prep bats from the 2020 draft class after going 16th overall. He showed why in 2022 by hitting .254 with 13 homers between High-A and Double-A. Howard’s flagship rookie is the coveted 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto Refractor, limited to /99 copies. Fresh mint PSA 10 examples have sold in the $800-1,500 range. If Howard fulfills his star potential, this could be an extremely valuable modern Cubs rookie card long term. Even base paper rookies have traded hands for $100-200 graded mint.
While it’s impossible to predict the future, several of the top rookie cards from the 2020 season have already shown promising signs of value appreciation. With more major league experience and proven success, cards featuring top prospects like Franco, Torkelson, Martin, and others could end up being extremely valuable long term centerpieces of collections. It will be exciting to see which 2020 rookies ultimately live up to their potential and drive their cards to stratospheric prices in the years to come.
