When it comes to investing in baseball cards, it’s important to focus on cards featuring players who are young and just starting to emerge as stars. These players have the potential for tremendous future growth in value as their careers progress and accomplishments accumulate. While established veteran stars always hold value, targeting up-and-coming players allows for greater upside potential if they do indeed go on to superstardom.
A few young players whose rookie cards seem poised to appreciate significantly with time are Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. All have already shown prodigious talent at early stages in their careers. Tatis specifically has generated immense hype and is on a trajectory to become a face of the league. His 2018 Topps Chrome rookie refractor auto parallel /5 just sold for over $30,000, showing there is big money to be had if his career plays out as expected. Soto, Acuña and Vlad Jr also have a shot at being true generational talents who could one day compete with the likes of Mike Trout, if they stay healthy.
While rookies carry risk, established superstars are always a safer investment since their careers and legacies are already set. Two of the best bets right now are Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, as both are still relatively young at 29 and continue re-writing the record books. Trout is considered the best player of his generation and a lock for the Hall of Fame when done. His 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Superfractor auto just sold for over $400,000, showing the sky-high demand. Ohtani is a unique two-way force never seen before, and his 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect auto refractor /5 recently traded hands for over $50,000.
Another young star to keep an eye on is Wander Franco. Still just 21, he is considered a true “once in a generation” talent and living up to the hype so far in his career. His 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Green refractor /99 sold for over $13,000 recently. If he stays on his current trajectory, his cards could explode in value over the next 5-10 years.
When it comes to veteran stars, two perennial MVP candidates who are still in their primes are Mookie Betts and Christian Yelich. Both are only 30 and should have several more great seasons ahead as long as they avoid major injuries. Betts’ 2012 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto refractor just traded for close to $15,000. Yelich’s 2013 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Green refractor /99 fetched over $6,000. They remain two of the very best players in the game today.
For legendary veterans whose careers are complete, cards of Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa from their epic home run chasing seasons in the late 90s have been hot. Bonds’ iconic 2001 Playoff Contenders Championship Ring Auto just sold for over $25,000. A PSA 10 1998 Finest Refractor of McGwire recently went for $12,000. Sosa’s epic 1998 Finest Refractor PSA 10 brought in $10,000. Demand is high for relics of their all-time single season home run records.
Rookie cards of Hall of Famers will always hold value as well. A few legends to consider include Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr, Derek Jeter, and Chipper Jones. A PSA 8 1951 Bowman Mantle is around $50,000 now. A PSA 8 1952 Topps Mays can fetch $30,000. A PSA 9 1990 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. RC recently traded hands for over $20,000. Jeter’s 1993 SP Derek Jeter RC PSA 9 brought in $12,000. A PSA 9 1991 Bowman Chipper Jones RC sold for $10,000 recently. Icons from baseball’s golden eras never lose their luster.
For team collectors, cards featuring historic franchises like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will remain in high demand. Single cards of franchise legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Yogi Berra, Carl Yastrzemski, Wade Boggs, David Ortiz, and Mariano Rivera command top dollar. Autographs and game-used memorabilia from these all-time greats connected to storied franchises are the cream of the crop.
When investing in the baseball card market, focusing on young emerging stars, proven superstars still in their primes, iconic veterans whose careers are complete, and legendary Hall of Famers is a tried-and-true strategy. Always aim for the best condition, most desirable parallels, and chase cards with autographs or memorabilia for maximum upside. With patience, a collection focused on these types of players is sure to appreciate significantly over long periods of time.
