The baseball card collecting hobby has been around for over 150 years and remains highly popular today. While many of the vintage cards from the early 20th century are out of reach price-wise for most collectors, there are still many exciting modern cards being produced that offer affordable options to build a collection. Here are some of the best baseball cards to consider adding to your collection right now based on player performance, rookie potential, and overall collectability.
Shohei Ohtani (2021 Topps Chrome Refractor Prizm /99): Ohtani has quickly become one of the most exciting players in baseball due to his rare two-way talents as both a pitcher and hitter. His 2018 rookie season was cut short due to injury but he returned in 2021 with a vengeance, hitting 46 home runs and posting a 3.18 ERA over 23 starts on the mound. His cards from the 2021 season have skyrocketed in value and the Topps Chrome Refractor Prizm parallel offers a premium refractor version limited to just 99 copies. At around $1000 a card currently, it’s an investment but one that could yield great returns if Ohtani continues on his current trajectory.
Juan Soto (2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto /99): Soto burst onto the MLB scene in 2018 at just 19 years old and hasn’t stopped mashing since. He’s already a two-time Silver Slugger winner and led the NL in batting average in 2020. His rookie cards remain some of the most sought after from the 2018 season and the Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto offers an on-card autograph of the budding superstar. With /99 copies made, it provides a reasonably high-end option for collectors. Prices have settled around $500-600 based on Soto’s continued excellence and all-star caliber play still being in his early 20s.
Wander Franco (2020 Bowman Chrome Green Auto /99): Franco has all the hype as perhaps the top prospect in baseball and has started to live up to it in his brief MLB time so far. At just 21 years old, he’s already shown a polished all-around game and ability to hit for both power and average. His rookie cards are some of the hottest on the market currently and the green parallel autographed version offers the highest end option. With a print run of just 99 copies, it provides a true one-of-one style card for superstar prospect collectors willing to pay a premium, in the $800-1000 range currently. Expect values to only rise if Franco continues developing into the perennial all-star many scouts forecast.
Ronald Acuna Jr. (2018 Topps Chrome Refractor RC /299): Acuna exploded onto the MLB scene in 2018 at age 20 and hasn’t stopped producing since, already having two all-star appearances and a batting title under his belt. He’s cemented himself as one of the brightest young stars in baseball. His rookie cards remain in high demand and the Topps Chrome Refractor offers an attractive parallel option limited to just 299 copies. With his established superstardom at a young age, these can be acquired for $300-400 and offer an accessible high-end Acuna rookie card for collections.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2018 Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto /99): Like his Hall of Fame father, Vlad Jr. burst onto the scene with prodigious power potential and all the hype of one of the game’s top prospects. He’s started to live up to it in Toronto, already with an all-star nod under his belt at just 23 years old. His rookie cards exploded in demand and the autographed Bowman Chrome parallel offers one of the most coveted options. Priced around $500-600 currently, it’s a strong option for those wanting one of the highest profile young slugger prospects in the hobby today.
Fernando Tatis Jr. (2019 Topps Chrome RC /499): Tatis has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young stars in baseball thanks to his electric all-around play and excitement on the field. At just 23 years old already, he’s got two all-star appearances, a Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove under his belt. His rookie cards remain some of the most sought after on the modern market and the Topps Chrome Refractor offers a parallel option at a slightly lower price point than autos, in the $200-300 range. With his superstar potential and fan favorite status, they offer an accessible high-end Tatis rookie investment.
Bo Bichette (2019 Topps Chrome RC /499): Bichette broke out in 2019 for the Blue Jays and has established himself as one of baseball’s best young shortstops, earning his first all-star nod in 2021. Thanks to his elite bat and Toronto’s young core, excitement is high. His rookie cards saw early hype and the Topps Chrome Refractor offers a parallel option at a reasonable price point, $150-200. With his all-star potential and Toronto’s rising star status, they offer an affordable investment option for the future.
Luis Robert (2020 Topps Chrome RC Auto /99): Robert exploded onto the scene in 2020 for the White Sox and showed five-tool potential, earning him rookie of the year honors. Injuries slowed his 2021 season but the talent and tools are undeniable. As one of the top young outfield prospects turned young stars, his rookie cards hold strong demand. The Topps Chrome autographed parallel offers one of the highest end options at a reasonable $300-400 given the limited 99 copy print run. If he stays healthy to reach his superstar ceiling, they could yield great returns.
This covers some of the most in-demand modern baseball cards on the market today based on player performance and future potential. While vintage cards offer nostalgia, these young stars establish accessible options to build an investment collection of tomorrow’s future Hall of Famers. With reasonable price points and the upside of superstar careers, they represent smart choices for any baseball card collector looking to add premium modern cardboard to their portfolio. Of course, as with any investments, baseball cards carry risks – but for fans of the players and game, they offer an exciting way to engage with the hobby.
