With the baseball season in full swing, many collectors are looking to the future and considering what modern baseball cards represent the best investments. While vintage cards from the 1950s and 1960s will always hold cache and value due to their scarcity, today’s market offers collectors opportunities to get in early on stars of tomorrow. Here are some of the top new baseball cards to consider adding to your portfolio.
Shohei Ohtani, 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor Auto (#66) – At just 27 years old, Ohtani has already cemented himself as one of the most unique and talented two-way players in baseball history. In 2021, he was the first player since Babe Ruth to be selected as an All-Star as both a hitter and pitcher. His rare ability to both pitch and hit for power makes him a generational talent and huge draw for fans. With Topps Chrome being the premium brand for modern collectors, his refractor autograph cards from 2021 sell in the $300-500 range currently but have plenty of upside for appreciation as his career progresses.
Juan Soto, 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto (#141) – Still just 23, Soto has already accomplished a lot in his young career including winning the Home Run Derby in 2020. He’s a perennial MVP candidate and regarded as one of the best pure hitters in baseball. His 2018 Bowman Chrome rookie auto cards are highly sought after by collectors but remain affordable compared to stars of the past. With Soto locked up long-term by the Nationals and entering his prime, these cards have the potential to 5x or more in value over the next 5-10 years.
Wander Franco, 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto (#151) – At just 21, Franco is considered a true “five-tool” superstar in the making and the future face of the Tampa Bay Rays franchise. In 2021, he slashed .288/.347/.463 with 7 home runs in 70 games, showcasing his elite all-around ability. His 2020 Bowman Chrome autographs can still be found for under $200 and are some of the most coveted modern rookie cards on the market right now. Franco has legitimate chances to become a perennial MVP candidate for years, making this an investment with huge long term upside.
Ronald Acuña Jr., 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto (#161) – Already a two-time All-Star at just 24, Acuña has established himself as one of baseball’s brightest young stars when healthy. Unfortunately, a torn ACL ended his 2021 season early but he’s expected to make a full recovery. His 2018 Bowman Chrome rookie autos can still be found for under $150 and have doubled in the last year alone. With Acuña locked up long-term by the Braves and still so early in his career, these cards could realistically 5-10x from current prices within 5 years as he accumulates accolades.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto (#1) – At just 23, Guerrero Jr. is already one of the most feared power hitters in the AL East. In 2021, he slashed .296/.364/.558 with 48 home runs, finishing third in AL MVP voting. As the son of a Hall of Famer, Guerrero Jr. carries a famous baseball name that adds to his star power and marketability. His 2018 Bowman Chrome rookie autos remain affordable around $150-200 currently but have significant potential to appreciate as he establishes himself as a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate for years to come in Toronto.
Luis Robert, 2019 Bowman Chrome Auto (#BCP99) – At just 25, Robert has already shown five-tool ability in his first few seasons with the White Sox and looks poised for stardom. He slashed .338/.376/.567 in 2020 and provides elite defense in center field as well. While injuries limited him in 2021, when healthy he’s a true game-changing talent. His 2019 Bowman Chrome rookie autos can still be found around $100-150 and have doubled from a year ago. As Robert stays healthy and accumulates stats/accolades, these cards have the upside to appreciate significantly from current levels.
Ronald Acuña Jr., 2018 Topps Update Chrome Auto (#US200) – As mentioned above, Acuña is already established as a true superstar and the face of the Atlanta Braves franchise at just 24 years old. While his 2018 Bowman Chrome rookie autos get more attention, his 2018 Update Chrome autographs remain very affordable around $75-100 currently. With Acuña’s career trajectory pointing straight up as he enters his prime, these affordable autos have serious potential to appreciate 5x or more within the next 5 years as he accumulates MVPs and championships in Atlanta for years to come.
Jasson Dominguez, 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto (#BCP99) – At just 19, Dominguez is one of the most hyped international prospects ever and considered a true “five-tool” talent with seemingly unlimited upside. While he’s yet to play above A-ball, the hype surrounding his tools and potential alone make his cards extremely desirable to collectors. His 2019 Bowman Chrome rookie autos remain around $150-200 currently despite the hype, and have significant potential to appreciate exponentially if he comes anywhere close to living up to expectations in the coming years.
Bobby Witt Jr., 2019 Bowman Chrome Auto (#BCP99) – Like Dominguez, Witt Jr. came with immense hype as one of the top international prospects ever. And unlike Dominguez, Witt has already started to pay those lofty expectations off, slashing .281/.361/.537 with 29 home runs between Double and Triple-A in 2021 at just 22 years old. He’s considered the future star and face of the Kansas City Royals franchise. His 2019 Bowman Chrome rookie autos remain around $100-150 and have serious potential to take off as he establishes himself in the big leagues for years to come.
While none of these young stars are guaranteed Hall of Famers, each possesses the rare blend of talent, hype, and long-term team control that gives their modern rookie cards significant long shot potential to appreciate exponentially if they fulfill their potential. For collectors with a 5-10 year investment horizon, focusing on affordable autos and parallels of these types of emerging superstars represents a relatively low risk approach to building baseball card wealth. Of course, injuries and unexpected declines can always happen – but for fans of the game looking to speculate on its future, these cards offer as much upside as any in the current market.
