The 2019 baseball season was an exciting one for the Atlanta Braves franchise. After a disappointing 2018 season that saw them finish under .500 for the first time since 2010, the Braves came roaring back in 2019 to win the National League East division title with a record of 97-65. Their young core of position players like Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Freddie Freeman led the way offensively, while young arms like Mike Soroka, Max Fried, and rookie sensation Mike Soroka anchored the pitching staff. The Braves’ success on the field translated to increased popularity and demand for their baseball cards from the 2019 season.
Top Rookies
Some of the most sought-after rookie cards from the 2019 Braves included Mike Soroka, who had a phenomenal rookie season going 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 29 starts. His Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card is one of the key rookie cards from the 2019 Braves set and has steadily increased in value since the season. Another hot rookie was Austin Riley, who was called up in May and provided an immediate power surge with 18 home runs in just over half a season. Riley’s Topps Chrome rookie refractor has also gained value as collectors speculate on his long-term potential. Other rookie cards that saw increased interest include relievers Shane Greene and Luke Jackson, who both contributed in important bullpen roles down the stretch.
Established Stars Drive Demand
While the rookies generated buzz, the proven veteran stars on the 2019 Braves roster continued to be the biggest drivers of card demand. Franchise cornerstone Freddie Freeman had another All-Star caliber season, hitting .295 with 38 home runs and 121 RBI to finish 4th in NL MVP voting. His autographed and memorabilia cards from 2019 sets maintained very strong values. Fellow young star Ronald Acuña Jr. picked up where he left off in his stellar 2018 rookie campaign by hitting .280 with 41 home runs and 101 RBI at just age 21, cementing his status among the game’s brightest young talents. Acuña’s rookies from 2018 also saw renewed collector interest in 2019 as he took his game to an even higher level. Shortstop Dansby Swanson rebounded from a disappointing 2018 with a .251 average, 17 home runs and 73 RBI, boosting the value of his cards. Max Fried, Mike Soroka and Sean Newcomb provided quality innings from the starting rotation beyond veteran ace Mike Foltynewicz. Their established roles increased demand for their base cards in flagship products like Topps, Bowman, Stadium Club and more.
Parallels and Memorabilia Cards Spike in Value
In addition to the base rookies and stars, parallel and memorabilia cards featuring Braves players saw a surge in collector demand through 2019. Topps Chrome refractors and negatives of Acuña, Soroka, Riley and others were some of the most sought-after parallel cards on the secondary market. Autograph cards of any Braves player also held strong collector value, but the prized hits were 1/1 printing plates and autographs of Acuña and Freeman. Memorabilia cards that incorporated game-used materials like bats, jersey swatches or signed balls from these Braves stars commanded top dollar. Relics of franchise icons Chipper Jones and Hank Aaron from heritage sets remained highly valuable as well. The Braves’ deep postseason run into the NLDS against the Cardinals only added to the collector fervor for these highly coveted parallel and memorabilia cards capturing the team’s breakout season in 2019.
2020 Outlook
Heading into the 2020 season, the 2019 Braves cards and prospects remain a focus for collectors. After re-signing Freeman long-term, the Braves look poised to continue contending with their exciting young core. Acuña, Albies, Soroka and the rookies from 2019 like Riley all figure to have bigger roles and produce more highlights. Their cards from flagship 2020 sets like Topps, Bowman and Stadium Club are already generating buzz, especially Acuña’s prized first Topps Chrome update card. Parallels and memorabilia from 2020 featuring these rising Braves stars will command top dollar as well. Veterans like Mark Melancon, Cole Hamels and Félix Hernández were brought in via free agency to boost the pitching staff. Their cards could see collector interest if they play meaningful roles on a winning Braves team. The 2019 Braves baseball cards established this exciting franchise as one to watch, and the collector fervor for their rising stars shows no signs of slowing down heading into 2020 and beyond.
The 2019 Atlanta Braves’ playoff run and emergence of young stars like Acuña Jr., Albies and Soroka translated directly to increased demand and rising values for their baseball cards across the hobby. From prized rookie cards to parallels, autographs and game-used memorabilia, the top Braves players saw their 2019 cards become highly sought after by collectors. This excitement around the Braves core has carried momentum into the 2020 season, suggesting their cards will remain a focus area for baseball card investors in the years to come. The franchise’s bright future bodes well for the long-term potential of their recent players’ cards.
