The baseball card market continues to be a lucrative hobby for collectors. With each new season comes a new crop of rookie cards and veterans reaching milestones that make certain cards very desirable. As we head into the 2017 baseball season, here are some of the best baseball cards to consider adding to your collection this year based on player performance, career achievements, and future potential.
Mike Trout 2014 Topps Update Rookie Card – Widely considered one of the greatest players of this generation, Mike Trout has established himself as a true superstar in just his first few seasons in the big leagues. His 2014 Topps Update rookie card remains one of the hottest modern rookie cards on the market. With 4 MVP awards already and a career still in its prime, Trout cards hold tremendous long term value. The 2014 Update rookie is one of the more affordable Trout cards to acquire, but still carries a several hundred dollar price tag for high grade copies.
Bryce Harper 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor – At just 24 years old, Bryce Harper has already racked up an NL ROY award, NL MVP, 2 Silver Sluggers, and was named to his 4th All-Star team in 2016. The hype around Harper was immense coming out of high school, making his ultra-rare 2009 Bowman Chrome Superfractor one of the true Holy Grails for collectors. Only 5 of these 1/1 parallel cards are known to exist. Valued well into the 5 figures for a true gem mint copy, this is an iconic card that will hold value as Harper’s career progresses.
Kris Bryant 2015 Topps Update RC – Winning NL ROY in 2015 was just the beginning for Kris Bryant. He followed that up by leading the Cubs to their first World Series title in over a century in 2016. Bryant’s smooth left-handed swing and all-around skills point to a likely future Hall of Fame career. His flagship rookie from 2015 Update is a strong long term investment, and high grade versions can still be acquired for under $200.
Corey Seager 2016 Topps Update RC – At just 22 years old, Corey Seager took the NL by storm in 2016 by winning ROY honors while helping power the Dodgers to the NL West title. Seager possesses a complete all-around game and should be a mainstay at shortstop for the Dodgers for years to come. His rookie card from 2016 Update is still quite affordable compared to other young stars, but prices are steadily rising as Seager cements his status as a true franchise cornerstone.
Aaron Judge 2017 Topps Series 1 RC – It may be too early to tell just how good Aaron Judge can become, but his tremendous power potential was on full display during his impressive rookie season with the Yankees in 2017. Standing at an imposing 6’7″, Judge launched 52 home runs, setting a new rookie record. His flagship rookie card from 2017 Topps Series 1 will likely hold value long term as collectors watch Judge’s career play out. High grade copies have already cracked the $100 price point.
Mookie Betts 2014 Topps Update RC – At just 24 years old, Mookie Betts has already established himself as one of the game’s premier young outfielders. The 2016 AL batting champion is coming off a 2016 season where he hit .318 with 31 home runs and 113 RBI. Betts’ smooth all-around game and youth indicate he has Hall of Fame potential. His 2014 Update rookie remains quite affordable compared to superstars of similar age like Trout and Harper, but that will likely not remain the case for long as Betts’ career blossoms.
Fernando Tatis Jr. 2017 Topps Series 1 RC – Scouts have raved about Fernando Tatis Jr.’s raw tools and athleticism since he was a teenager. After hitting .278 with 16 home runs across A-Ball and Double-A in 2017, Tatis Jr. looks poised to rocket up prospect rankings and perhaps debut with the Padres as early as 2018 at just 19 years old. The son of the former big leaguer Fernando Tatis, Jr. has tantalizing upside that makes his flagship 2017 rookie card a worthwhile longshot investment at its current affordable price point.
Clayton Kershaw 2010 Topps Update RC – Already owning 3 Cy Young awards and a career 2.39 ERA at just 29 years old, Clayton Kershaw has firmly established himself as the best pitcher of his generation. The smooth lefty is still in his prime and tracking to put together a true Hall of Fame career resumé. Kershaw’s rookie card from 2010 Topps Update remains quite affordable compared to the dominance he has shown on the mound for nearly a decade now. This is a card that will retain value for decades as Kershaw’s place among the game’s all-time greats is cemented.
Noah Syndergaard 2014 Topps Update RC – At just 24 years old, Noah Syndergaard has already emerged as the ace of the Mets staff and one of the most dominating power pitchers in baseball today. “Thor” possesses an electric fastball that routinely touches triple digits along with a devastating slider. If he can stay healthy, a Cy Young award may not be far off. Syndergaard’s rookie card from 2014 Update is still quite affordable and will likely rise steadily as his career progresses and accolades are achieved.
Cody Bellinger 2017 Topps Series 1 RC – The 2017 season was a true coming out party for Cody Bellinger. The athletic first baseman/outfielder launched 39 home runs as a 21-year old rookie to set a new Dodgers franchise record. Bellinger possesses prodigious raw power to all fields and could be a perennial 40-homer threat for years to come. His flagship rookie card from 2017 Topps Series 1 is still quite affordable and will likely rise significantly as Bellinger establishes himself as a true superstar.
Christian Yelich 2013 Bowman Chrome RC – At just 25 years old, Christian Yelich has already developed into a true five-tool talent for the Marlins and Brewers. The smooth lefty batter consistently hits for average and power while providing Gold Glove caliber defense in the outfield. Yelich is still in the early stages of what could be a Hall of Fame career. His desirable rookie card from 2013 Bowman Chrome remains quite affordable compared to similar aged superstars and is a strong long term investment.
This covers some of the top young stars and prospects whose cards are excellent buys heading into 2017. Focusing on rookies and young players who have shown superstar potential and are still establishing themselves allows collectors to acquire flagship cards at affordable prices that will likely rise significantly as their careers progress. Established veterans nearing milestones can also provide strong short term gains. By doing research on a player’s tools, pedigree and career trajectory, savvy collectors can identify cards poised to greatly increase in value for years to come. The baseball card market remains a profitable hobby for those who do their homework.
