When it comes to investing in baseball cards, rookie cards often provide the best opportunity for appreciation. These first year cards showcase players at the very beginning of their careers before they become established major leaguers. If the player goes on to have a successful career, the value of their rookie card can increase significantly. With that in mind, here are some of the top rookie baseball cards to consider buying currently based on the player’s talent and career trajectory.
Juan Soto 2018 Topps Baseball Card – At just 21 years old, Juan Soto has already established himself as one of the best young hitters in baseball. In 2019, his first full season in the majors, Soto slashed .282/.401/.548 with 34 home runs and 110 RBI, finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He followed that up in 2020 by hitting .351 with a 1.090 OPS, making his first All-Star team. With his five-tool skillset and incredible plate discipline still being honed as he enters his prime, Soto looks poised for superstardom. His 2018 Topps rookie card remains reasonably priced now under $100, but that price seems sure to rise significantly as he continues producing at an elite level for years to come.
Ronald Acuña Jr. 2018 Topps Baseball Card – Like Soto, Ronald Acuña burst onto the scene in 2018 at just 20 years old and hasn’t looked back since. In his rookie season, he hit .293 with 26 home runs and led the NL with 16 stolen bases. He’s followed that up with two more All-Star appearances while showcasing elite five-tool ability that few others in the game possess. At just 23 years old, Acuña is already a perennial MVP candidate for the Braves and will likely be one of the faces of baseball for the next decade plus. His rookie card can still be found for under $150 and profiles as one of the safest long-term investments in the hobby considering his all-around dominance and youth.
Fernando Tatis Jr. 2019 Topps Baseball Card – Arguably the most exciting young player in baseball, Fernando Tatis Jr. made his presence felt immediately by hitting .317 with 22 home runs in just 84 games as a 21-year-old rookie in 2019. He followed that up in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season by hitting .277 with 17 homers and 45 RBI in 59 games. Tatis plays the game with a rare combination of swagger and elite skills, and at just 22 years old, he’s already being discussed as a possible future 50-home run hitter. His cards jumped up significantly in price after his breakout rookie campaign, but his 2019 Topps rookie can still be found under $300 and will likely continue appreciating as he cements himself as a perennial MVP candidate for the Padres.
Wander Franco 2020 Topps Chrome Baseball Refractor RC #171 – While he only got a brief five-game cup of coffee in the majors in 2021, Wander Franco has established himself as the top prospect in baseball and one of the best pure hitters to come along in years. At just 20 years old in the minors, Franco has slashed .332/.428/.587 with 32 home runs and 105 RBI over two seasons. He’s the rare five-tool talent who also possesses an advanced plate approach, giving him a great chance to be a perennial All-Star. Franco’s 2020 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie is still obtainable in the $500-1000 range but looks like a great long-term hold considering the superstar he has the tools to become.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2018 Topps Baseball Card – While he didn’t light the world on fire initially after debuting at age 20 in 2019, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has started to put it all together over the last two seasons with the Blue Jays. In 2021, he hit .311 with 48 doubles and 48 home runs, finishing third in AL MVP voting at just 22 years old. With his legendary bloodlines and prodigious power/hitting skills now being combined with maturation, Guerrero looks like a fixture in the middle of Toronto’s order for years. His 2018 Topps rookie card can still be found around $150-200 and looks like a bargain considering he’s still getting better and could win multiple batting titles.
Rafael Devers 2017 Bowman Baseball Card – While he didn’t make his MLB debut until 2017 at age 21, Rafael Devers has established himself as one of the top young power hitters in baseball for the Red Sox over the last few seasons. In 2021, he hit .279 with 38 home runs and 113 RBI, finishing 12th in AL MVP voting. At just 25 years old, Devers is in the prime of his career and should continue producing All-Star caliber numbers for years to come in Boston’s lineup. His 2017 Bowman Chrome rookie card remains a relative bargain under $100 and provides upside as he cements his place among the game’s elite sluggers.
Pete Alonso 2018 Bowman Baseball Card – Since debuting as a 24-year-old rookie in 2019, Pete Alonso has done nothing but mash for the Mets. He followed up his 53 home run rookie campaign by hitting 16 long balls in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. While he slumped a bit in 2021, Alonso rebounded down the stretch and looks poised to be a perennial 30+ home run threat for years. At just 27 years old, he’s entering the prime of his powerful career. His 2018 Bowman Chrome rookie card can still be found around $100-150 and looks like a safe long-term hold as Alonso continues producing huge numbers at Citi Field.
Shane Bieber 2016 Bowman Baseball Card – While he didn’t debut until 2018 at age 23, Shane Bieber has emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball for the Guardians over the last few seasons. In 2020, he went 8-1 with a 1.63 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 77 1/3 innings, winning the AL Cy Young Award. Bieber followed that up with another strong 2021 campaign and will likely continue anchoring Cleveland’s rotation for many years as he enters his prime. His 2016 Bowman Chrome rookie card remains very affordable under $50 and looks like a bargain for one of the game’s premier young hurlers.
Luis Robert 2020 Topps Chrome Baseball Refractor RC #171 – While injuries limited him to just 38 games in 2021, Luis Robert established himself as one of baseball’s brightest young stars with a breakout rookie campaign in 2020 for the White Sox. That year, he hit .233 but showcased his five-tool skills by slugging 11 home runs and stealing 9 bases. At just 24 years old, Robert has the skills to be an annual All-Star if he can stay healthy. His 2020 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card remains a reasonable investment around $300-400 considering his upside if he puts it all together.
When scouting the best rookie baseball cards to invest in, focusing on young players who are already established stars or have the five-tool talent to become stars is key. The above choices feature players age 24 or younger who have shown the skills and trajectory to produce at an elite level for 10-15 years still, providing long-term upside in their rookie card investments. While prices have risen on many of these over the last year or two, they still offer relatively affordable opportunities to get skin in the game on what could become true hobby legends as their careers progress.
