When it comes to collecting baseball cards, there are always new and exciting options coming out each year from the major card manufacturers. With so many products to choose from, it can be tough to decide which ones offer the best value and have the potential to hold long-term appeal. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at some of the top baseball card releases from the past few years that collectors should consider as great values today and potential gems for tomorrow.
Topps Chrome Baseball (2018-Present): Topps Chrome has long been considered the pinnacle of modern baseball cards. The refractor parallels and photo variations make for some of the most visually stunning cards on the market. The 2018 and 2019 designs are clean and classic looking. The parallels like blue, orange, and green refractors add tremendous value. Top rookies like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can be found at reasonable prices now but have huge long term potential. Topps Chrome is a must-have for any serious collector.
Bowman Baseball (2018-Present): While it may not have the brand recognition of Topps, Bowman has emerged as the premier rookie card product over the past few years. That is because it features the best and most exclusive rookie photos and autographs. Stars like Soto, Acuña, and Guerrero had their true rookie cards in Bowman as opposed to Topps Update Series. The 2018 and 2019 Bowman designs are sharp looking with colorful parallels. Prices are still affordable on the biggest names from those years, making them a wise investment at this stage of their careers.
Topps Heritage Baseball (2018-Present): Topps Heritage harkens back to the design aesthetics of the 1950s and 1960s but with modern production quality. The clean white borders and team logo designs give these cards a true vintage feel. The photo quality is also top-notch. Parallels like Gold Foil, Rainbow Foil, and Refractors add to the appeal. The 2018 and 2019 designs are very popular with collectors and prices have remained steady. Top rookies can still be had at reasonable prices. Even veterans and stars from those sets hold value due to the classic design and limited print runs.
Topps Big League Baseball (2018-Present): While not as high-end as Topps Chrome or Bowman, Topps Big League provides excellent value for collectors. The cards feature sharp action shots of today’s biggest stars. Parallels like Blue, Orange, and Green Refractors add to the fun. The 2018 and 2019 designs have a clean, classic look. Top rookies and stars can be found at affordable prices. With lower print runs compared to the flagship Topps Series 1-2 sets, these cards have good long term holding potential as values rise over the years.
Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball (2018-Present): Allen & Ginter is one of the most unique baseball card releases each year. The cards feature creative designs mixing baseball players with other subjects ranging from actors to historic figures. The inserts also stand out with themes like “Ginter Gems” and “Ginter Minis.” The 2018 and 2019 designs are colorful and eye-catching. While not traditional baseball cards, A&G has a strong cult following and values typically rise faster than standard releases. Top rookies are still obtainable at reasonable prices now before they appreciate over the long haul.
Panini Prizm Baseball (2018-Present): As one of the “Big 3” alongside Topps and Bowman, Panini has emerged as a powerhouse in the baseball card world. Their Prizm release is the crème de la crème, featuring refractors and parallels with dazzling color schemes. The 2018 and 2019 designs are sharp and modern looking. While Panini cards can be more expensive compared to Topps initially, their long term potential is excellent based on strong, consistent growth in the secondary market in recent years. Top rookies are still affordable now before their inevitable rise.
While there are many other notable baseball card releases each year worth exploring, the above options from Topps, Bowman, and Panini provide an excellent blend of affordable prices, future potential, and aesthetically pleasing designs that will hold up over time. Collecting top rookies and stars from the 2018-2019 seasons of Topps Chrome, Bowman, Heritage, Big League, Allen & Ginter, and Panini Prizm offers incredible value today that will serve any collection well for many years to come as the careers and values of featured players continue to grow.
