When it comes to investing in baseball cards, many collectors focus on future stars by targeting prospects in minor league systems. Prospect cards offer cheaper alternatives to investing in established MLB stars and provide opportunities to get cards before players make their big league debuts. While every prospect carries risk and uncertainty, the upside potential with emerging talents makes their cards compelling investments. This article will examine several promising baseball prospects whose cards may appreciate in value as their careers progress.
For those wanting to take a chance on potentially the next Mike Trout, Wander Franco is one of the safest bets among baseball prospects. The Tampa Bay Rays shortstop has been topping prospect rankings since debuting in professional ball and has done nothing but hit at every level. In 2020 at just 19 years old, Franco slashed .288/.349/.460 between A-ball and Double-A with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs in only 59 games. MLB Pipeline currently ranks Franco as the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball, praising his smooth left-handed swing, commanding plate presence, and well-rounded game. Franco is expected to make his MLB debut in 2021 and could be a perennial All-Star and batting title contender for years. His cards, especially prized rookies and parallels, offer high-upside value as he develops into a future star.
Another elite shortstop prospect that collectors should consider targeting cards of is Maricopa’s Bobby Witt Jr.. Son of former major leaguer Bobby Witt, Witt Jr. was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft by the Kansas City Royals. While playing at just 20 years old, Witt impressed hugely in his pro debut season, hitting .290 with 11 home runs and 60 RBIs between High-A and Double-A. Scouts rave about Witt’s five-tool ability and see him as an absolute stud with Gold Glove potential at short. With the Royals ready to contend, Witt could join the big league club in late 2021 or 2022. His Bowman Chrome prospect cards in particular hold strong long-term upside as one of the best shortstop talents to enter the pros in years.
Staying with the theme of top-ranked shortstop prospects, Mariners fan favorites may want to consider stocking up on cards of Noelvi Marte. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, Marte has skyrocketed up prospect boards with his advanced hitting skills and defensive polish at just 19 years old. In 2019 between the Arizona and Low-A levels, Marte hit .264 with seven homers and 24 RBIs in just 57 games. MLB.com now ranks Marte as Seattle’s new top prospect, ahead of touted prospects like Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez. At 6-foot-3 with a smooth lefty swing and developing power, Marte profiles as a perennial All-Star if his progress keeps up. As the future shortstop of the Mariners, Marte’s supply of prized rookie cards could pay off in a big way.
For National League fans wanting future star cards at an affordable price, Ke’Bryan Hayes of the Pittsburgh Pirates may fit the bill perfectly. The son of longtime major leaguer Charlie Hayes, Ke’Bryan was drafted in 2015 out of high school and has put himself on the fast track since. In 2019 between Double-A and Triple-A, Hayes slashed an astonishing .376/.442/.576 with 11 home runs and 55 RBIs in just 89 games, barely missing a batting title. At just 23 years old, Hayes looks MLB ready on both sides of the ball thanks to his sweet lefty swing and slick glove at third base. Expected to be the Pirates’ everyday third baseman by 2021, Hayes’ chrome rookie cards sell for under $10 each currently but could appreciate greatly as his career unfolds.
No prospects list would be complete without mentioning some highly touted young arms. For starting pitching prospects, Tampa Bay’s Shane Baz leads the way. A 6-foot-3 righty drafted 12th overall in 2017, Baz has electric stuff with a mid to upper 90s fastball and biting slider. His 2019 campaign saw Baz strike out 132 batters and hold opponents to a .189 average between Low-A and High-A. MLB Pipeline ranks Baz currently as the Rays’ top prospect and has him projected as a future No. 2 or 3 starter if he refines his command. Baz’s 2018 Bowman Chrome cards in particular sell for reasonable values currently and could be a bargain given his frontline upside.
For bullpen prospects, Devin Williams of the Milwaukee Brewers stands out as an elite closer-of-the-future. Undrafted out of high school, Williams was signed for just $2,500 and has blown scouts away since with his swing-and-miss slider. Across Double-A and Triple-A in 2019, Williams struck out an astounding 82 batters compared to just FOUR walks in only 37 innings! His 0.33 ERA and 12 saves between levels thrust him up prospect lists as arguably the best relief prospect in baseball. Williams is likely to assure a spot in the Brewers’ big league bullpen in 2021. His ultra-rare Topps Chrome autos from 2018 could explode in value if he becomes the unhittable late-inning arm Milwaukee hopes he’ll be.
This article has highlighted just a handful of the top baseball prospects with future star potential whose cards offer opportunities for patient investors. While success is never guaranteed, targeting promising minor leaguers before they break out can yield cards with room for value growth down the line. Focusing research on elite talents drafted highly, those excelling at young ages in full-season ball, and those ranked atop industry-followed prospect lists ups the odds of buying into future All-Stars. Staying on top of prospects’ development and call-ups to the majors will help determine when to hold onto prized rookies or sell for profit as careers blossom. With careful selection and a long-term outlook, investing in top prospects can be a smart speculation play in the ever-changing baseball card market.
