With the baseball season delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, many collectors have turned their attention to the hobby of baseball card investing. While it’s always risky to predict future returns, there are certain cards from years past that have shown steady appreciation and seem well positioned for continued growth. Doing the research on players, conditions, and market trends can help identify cards with the highest chances of long term investment success.
One of the most sought after rookie cards remains the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 10. Only a handful are known to exist in pristine gem mint condition and they regularly sell for well over $1 million each. The card depicts Mantle as a rookie for the New York Yankees and captures one of the all-time great players at the very start of his Hall of Fame career. As one of the earliest and most iconic Topps cards ever made, it will likely remain the crown jewel of any collection for decades to come.
For investors looking for a more reasonably priced Mantle card, his 1955 Topps rookie card graded PSA 8 still carries an impressive resume but at a fraction of the $1 million+ price tag. Even well-worn copies in PSA 5 condition command five figures due to Mantle’s enduring popularity and the scarcity of high grade copies from his true rookie season over 65 years ago. The 1955 Topps set is also the first to feature player photos, making Mantle’s debut card an important piece of baseball card history.
For investors focused specifically on modern rookie cards, perhaps no player holds more promise than Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger. His 2017 Topps Baseball rookie card has already shown strong appreciation since his breakout 2019 season that saw him claim NL MVP honors. High grade PSA 10 copies have increased in value more than five times over and still seem undervalued given Bellinger’s elite talent and marketability at just 24 years old. As long as he stays healthy and productive, his rookie card could end up being one of the best long term investments from the 2010s.
Another recent star poised to drive demand for his rookie card higher is New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom. Since winning the NL Cy Young award in consecutive seasons in 2018-2019, deGrom mania has taken hold in the hobby. His 2014 Topps Baseball rookie card has seen a similar price trajectory to Bellinger, with PSA 10 copies selling for $1,000 or more compared to just $100-200 a few years ago. At 32, deGrom is entering his prime and could cement a Hall of Fame case with a few more elite seasons.
For investors seeking cards from all-time greats still within reach, Ken Griffey Jr’s upper deck rookie card from 1989 is hard to top. Even well-centered raw copies can be acquired for under $100 and there are still plenty to be found. Once considered among the most common and affordable star rookies of the junk wax era, appreciation has been steady as Griffey’s legend has grown since retirement. High grades around PSA 8 have increased fivefold or more in the last 5 years alone. With such a large original print run long since dispersed across the globe, upside remains for continued long term growth.
Another iconic rookie from the late 80s/early 90s to consider is Barry Bonds from Topps debut season in 1986. Bonds went on to shatter the single season and career home run records that were held by Hank Aaron. His rookie card has followed a similar upward trajectory to Griffey in recent years and there is potential for much more if he ever gains entry to the Hall of Fame. Even well-centered raw copies can be found for under $50, making this an affordable all-time great to hold long term.
For investors seeking cards of current young stars who have already shown superstar potential, Ronald Acuña Jr’s 2018 Topps Update Series rookie card stands out. Since breaking out with a 41 home run season in 2019 for the Atlanta Braves, Acuña mania has taken hold. High grades around PSA 10 have increased fivefold to tenfold already and the 21-year-old has MVP caliber ability that should drive demand higher over the next decade. With a massive arm, speed, and prodigious power, Acuña has drawn comparisons to Griffey and could develop into a similar generational talent and icon for collectors. His cards still have plenty of room to appreciate further.
Another budding superstar to consider is Juan Soto, whose 2018 Topps Update Series rookie card has also seen rapid increases since his breakout 2019 season with the Washington Nationals at just 20 years old. The lefty slugger finished second in the NL batting race and is one of the most exciting young hitters in baseball today. His cards have been hot and there is potential for Soto to follow career trajectories of Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols or even Ted Williams as one of the game’s all-time great hitters. Even PSA 9 copies of his rookie card have more than doubled since last year and seem like a bargain for the potential returns if Soto fulfills his lofty potential.
For investors seeking Hall of Fame talent at a bargain, Mike Piazza’s rookie card from 1992 Topps could be a solid long term hold. The future Mets star was taken in the 62nd round of the 1988 draft but went on to smash more home runs than any other catcher in history. Even well-centered copies can still be found for under $20. With Piazza set to gain Hall of Fame entry soon, there could be further appreciation ahead as collectors seek out one of the game’s all-time great power hitters. At under $20 with potential HOF validation still coming, this seems like a low risk choice for steady long term returns.
While risk always exists in any investment market, baseball cards have shown to hold value better than most collectibles over decades. By doing research on players, conditions, and market trends, investors can feel confident certain vintage and modern rookie cards seem well positioned for continued growth. Focusing on iconic players from history alongside today’s emerging young stars helps balance risk while maintaining upside. Cards like Mantle, Bonds, Griffey, Piazza, Acuña, Bellinger and Soto fit those criteria and appear to have strong cases for long term investment success, even during periods of broader economic uncertainty. With patience and the right cards, the baseball hobby can be an enjoyable way to build wealth over time.
