While vintage baseball cards from the 1950s and earlier eras dominate the high-priced auction scenes, there are plenty of newer baseball cards from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and even present day that can be very valuable as well. Let’s take a closer look at some of the modern and new-issue baseball cards that are worth money for collectors.

1988 Fleer Update Barry Bonds Rookie Card – Bonds is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and his rookie card is highly sought after by collectors. In PSA 10 Gem Mint condition, this card has sold for over $30,000. Even well-centered examples in PSA 9 Excellent condition can fetch $1,000+. The update set version is more scarce than the regular 1988 Fleer rookie and holds greater value.

1994 SP Authentic Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card – Considered one of the most iconic modern rookie cards, Griffey’s spectacular 1994 season and career only add to its appeal. High-grade PSA 10 copies have changed hands for upward of $20,000. Most PSA 9 versions are in the $4,000-6,000 range and PSA 8s can still go for over $1,000. It remains one of the best long-term investments in the hobby.

1997 Topps T206 White Border Cal Ripken Jr. Update Card – For years after Ripken broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record in 1995, Topps issued special update cards featuring the historic accomplishment. The 1997 version mimicked the classic T206 design and is rarely found in pristine condition. A PSA 10 has sold for over $8,000.

1998 SP Authentic Star Struck Derek Jeter Autograph Rookie Patch Card #/250 – One of Jeter’s rarest autograph rookie cards, this serial numbered parallel features a game-used jersey swatch. Just a few high-grade specimens exist and in 2012, a PSA 10 example brought nearly $10,000 at auction.

1999 Bowman Chrome Refractors – Considered the start of the refractor craze in modern cards, Bowman Chrome issues from 1999 are highly collectible. Top rookies like Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, and Scott Rolen command premium prices, especially in refracted form. A PSA 10 Jones refractor sold for over $7,500 in 2019.

2000 Bowman Chrome Refractors – Another landmark year for the Bowman Chrome set included rookie cards of future stars like Tom Glavine, Carlos Beltran, and Adrian Gonzalez. But the real stars were refractor parallels featuring these players that can go for thousands in gem condition. A PSA 10 Beltran refractor sold for just under $8,000 earlier this year.

2001 Bowman Chrome Alex Rodriguez Autograph #/250 – A-Rod’s first signature card as a member of the Texas Rangers organization, this scarce parallel includes swatches of his jersey and batting gloves. Few high-grade copies exist and this serially numbered die-cut has changed hands for upwards of $15,000 when graded a pristine PSA 10.

2001 Playoff Premium Miguel Cabrera Rookie Patch Autograph #/50 – Even as a teenager just starting his MLB career, Cabrera displayed Hall of Fame-caliber hitting abilities. His premiere autograph rookie from this exclusive parallel features multiple game-used uniform swatches. A PSA 10 copy sold for over $11,000 back in 2016.

2002 Bowman Chrome Jimmy Rollins Refractor #/150 – Before winning the 2007 NL MVP award and a World Series ring with the Phillies, Rollins was a hot Blue Chip prospect in the minors. The scarce refracted serial numbered parallel from his rookie set holds tremendous long term value, with a flawless PSA 10 recently achieving a $6,500 sale price.

2003 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractors – Considered by many to be the truest form of a modern rookie card, Draft Refractor parallels showcased players right after they were selected in the First-Year Player Draft. Superstars like David Wright, Jeremy Hermida, and Josh Beckett command major dollars in this desirable chrome parallel, especially at the PSA 10 quality level. A Wright refractor in gem condition realized over $8,000 this past January.

2004 SPx Ian Kinsler Autograph Patch Jersey #/99 – Even as a second-year player still developing in the minors, on-card autographs of Kinsler containing game-used uniform pieces remain highly collectible. Well-centered specimens from this exclusive parallel in high grades have sold for upwards of $3,000.

2005 Bowman Chrome Ryan Braun Rookie Refractor Auto #/99 – Braun burst onto the scene by winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2007. This coveted autograph refractor parallel from his rookie set holds tremendous value, with PSA 10 condition pieces achieving auction prices of $6,000 or more in recent sales.

2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Kris Medlen Auto Patch #/15 – Medlen developed into an important swingman and spot starter for the Braves rotation in the 2010’s. Still the only on-card signature card featuring swatches of his jersey and cap, high grades of this exceedingly rare parallel from his draft year can command $5,000+.

2007 Bowman Sterling Clayton Kershaw Auto Patch #/99 – An early display of his incredible talent as a teenager, Kershaw’s premier autographed jersey patch remains a standout relic card from his rookie season. Just a handful are known to exist in mint condition, with a perfect PSA 10 recently selling for $10,500.

2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Autograph #/250 – Trout burst onto the MLB scene with a phenomenal rookie campaign in 2012 that announced his arrival as a superstar. His first Topps signature card holds tremendous investing potential long-term, like a BGS 9.5 example that went for $4,500 last year.

2020 Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #/99 – As one of the game’s newest budding offensive stars, Guerrero Jr.’s rookie cards continue gaining value rapidly. This flashy parallel from his dominant debut season commands big prices already, with a PSA 10 recently achieving $4,000 at auction.

2020 Topps Holiday 2020 Mike Trout 1/1 Superfractor – Leave it to Trout to garner an unparallelled 1-of-1 parallel from one of the hobby’s premium releases each year. With zero odds of ever being “reprinted,” the ultra-rare Holiday rainbow superfractor holding Trout is destined to become one of the most financially valuable modern cards ever made.

So in summary – while vintage cards will always demand top dollar, there are plenty of modern and newly produced baseball cards worth investing in as well. Paying close attention to star rookies, scarce parallels, and historically significant variations can help identify the newer cards primed to appreciate greatly over time as collectibles. With smart purchases focused on top-tier condition, newer cards hold the potential for returns well into five figures or higher just like their antique predecessors.