Elly de la Cruz is considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball and his rookie cards have become highly sought after by collectors in recent years. De la Cruz, who just turned 21 years old in January, was signed by the Boston Red Sox out of the Dominican Republic in 2018 and has risen through their farm system at an incredible rate. Now playing for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, de la Cruz is poised for a debut in Boston’s lineup in 2023 and could become a franchise cornerstone for years to come.
Due to his rising star status in the game, de la Cruz’s rookie cards have gained significant value since he first appeared in sets in 2020. Perhaps the most iconic and valuable de la Cruz card is his 2020 Bowman Chrome Prospects Autograph Refractor card. These ultra-rare refractors featuring de la Cruz’s autograph were inserted at an incredibly low rate in Bowman Chrome jumbo boxes that year. With his prospect hype beginning to build, savvy collectors snatched up these cards knowing they held a potential superstar. Now, PSA 10 gem mint versions of this iconic rookie card routinely sell for $3,000 or more, with some bringing in upwards of $5,000. For a player who had yet to play above A-ball at that point, those prices show just how much belief there was in de la Cruz’s future.
Another hugely valuable de la Cruz card is his 2021 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autograph card. Like the 2020 version, these autographed prospect cards came at an extremely low print run. But by 2021, de la Cruz was tearing the cover off the ball in High-A and building significant prospect buzz. As a result, PSA 10 examples of this rookie autograph card now sell for $1,500-2,000, showing strong sustained demand. Perhaps the card’s rarity combined with de la Cruz’s rising star power made it an almost perfect storm on the secondary market. For collectors who got in early, these cards have proven to be an incredibly profitable long-term investment.
While the autographed rookie cards understandably get much of the attention due to their scarcity, de la Cruz’s base rookie cards have also held strong value. His 2020 Topps Chrome Prospects card, which features a photo from de la Cruz’s 2019 Dominican Summer League campaign, has remained quite popular. Higher graded PSA/BGS 9 or 10 versions can be found in the $100-200 range. Even raw copies in excellent condition still pull in $30-50. For a prospect who had yet to play above rookie ball when the card was issued, those numbers are impressive. It’s a testament to how much hype was surrounding de la Cruz so early in his career.
De la Cruz’s 2021 Topps Chrome Prospects card has followed a similar trajectory. As he broke out with a monster 2021 season split between Low-A and High-A ball, demand for this shiny prospect card grew. In PSA 10 condition, examples now sell in the $75-125 range. Even raw near-mint copies can be had for $20-30. The affordability of these shiny base cards has made them accessible for fans and collectors looking to get in early on one of the game’s brightest young stars. For a player who may soon achieve superstardom, holding any of his early flagship rookie issues could prove very prescient in the long run.
While the flagship Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome cards understandably get much attention, de la Cruz has also appeared in numerous international sets over the past few years that collectors are starting to appreciate. His 2019 Leaf Metal Draft Jumbos card shows a handsome photo of the smooth-swinging prospect in his first official issue after signing. PSA 10 examples of this short printed parallel have reached $150 due to strong foreign market demand. Even raw copies in great condition can be acquired for $30-50 by patient collectors. De la Cruz’s 2019 Topps International card also has its adherents. Higher graded versions regularly sell for $75-125 depending on the market.
Perhaps most intriguing are some of de la Cruz’s earliest Dominican issue cards. His 2018 Top Prospects Dominican Summer League card was one of the first widely distributed issues featuring the budding star. In PSA 10 condition, mint copies have reached $250 due to their scarcity and status as one of the first cards showing the toolsy teenager. Even worn raw copies can be found for $50-75. Some collectors also love de la Cruz’s 2018 Dominican Prospects League All-Star card, which honors his status as a top prospect after just a summer in the DSL. PSA 10 examples have reached $200 due to the set’s ultra-limited print run.
As de la Cruz’s prospect status has grown, so too has demand for all of his early issue cards. Savvy collectors who recognized his talent early and purchased affordable copies now have the chance to realize significant gains. With de la Cruz poised for a 2023 debut and superstardom potentially on the horizon, it’s hard to envision his rookie cards losing value anytime soon. For fans and investors alike, hunting down pristine early issues of this budding phenom is a quest sure to pay long-term dividends. Where de la Cruz’s career may lead to is anyone’s guess, but one thing is for certain – his vibrant rookie card market is here to stay.
