The vintage baseball card market continues to boom as collectors seek nostalgic pieces of history from the golden age of the sport. Modern rookie cards for today’s rising stars remain highly coveted as analysts predict several players could emerge as the next generation of superstars. With the 2023 MLB season approaching, let’s take a look at some of the most desirable baseball cards likely to attract significant interest from collectors in the coming year.
Shohei Ohtani, 2021 ToppsChrome Update Refractor Auto #UU-5 BGS 10 GEM MT – Without question, Shohei Ohtani’s rookie cards from 2021 are the modern baseball cards to own. As the first true two-way player of the modern era, Ohtani’s unique talent and record-breaking 2021 season where he was both an elite pitcher and hitter has generated amazing hype. His flagship ToppsChrome Update refractor auto in a pristine BGS 10 grade is the cream of the crop, with recently sold examples fetching upwards of $15,000 due to his continued superstardom. Ohtani mania shows no signs of slowing and these prized rookie refractors could potentially reach the same iconic status as the best vintage cards in the long run.
Juan Soto, 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Auto #BCP99 BGS 9.5 – At just 24 years old, Juan Soto has already established himself as one of the game’s best hitters and is a living legend in Washington D.C. His prized 2018 Bowman Chrome rookie refractor auto holds immense nostalgia as Soto’s first card released before his breakout MLB arrival. In top BGS 9.5+ condition, examples are now trading hands for north of $10,000 as collectors clamor for a piece of the young superstar’s story from the beginning. Soto’s talent and production ensure his iconic rookie cards will retain strong long term value.
Ronald Acuña Jr., 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Auto #BCP-RA BGS 9.5 – Like Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr. burst onto the big league scene in 2018 with dazzling five-tool talents that immediately announced hisarrival as a future superstar. His prized first card from Bowman Chrome with the prospect refractor auto parallel in pristine condition commands astonishing prices in the multiple five-figure range. The 25-year-old Acuña’s career continues trending upwards and these prized signed rookie cards cementing his ascension will remain must-owns for discerning collectors.
Wander Franco, 2020 Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor Auto #198 BGS 10 – Widely hailed as the game’s top prospect, Wander Franco lived up to the immense hype in 2021 by hitting .288 and showing off his jaw-dropping skills as one of MLB’s premier young talents at just 21 years old. The dominating performance cemented Franco’s legend, and his prized 2020 Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor Auto in a perfect BGS 10 grade is already regarded as one of the most valuable modern rookie cards. Recently selling for over $25,000, Franco mania is in full force and his flagship cards are primed to appreciate exponentially as he climbs to superstardom.
Taijuan Walker, 2010 Topps Chrome RC Fractor #RC-TW PSA 10 – Sometimes the best vintage investments come from diamonds in the rough, and Taijuan Walker’s scintillating 2021 season where he emerged as the Mets’ ace has breathed new life into his once modest rookie cards. Now 31, Walker seems to be coming into his own late and collectors have taken notice by snapping up his 2010Topps Chrome RC Fractor in gem mint PSA 10 condition while prices are still affordable compared to true legends. If Walker continues establishing himself as one of MLB’s best starters, these flashy rookie fractors graded perfectly could surge in value massively.
Francisco Alvarez, 2021 Topps Chrome Sapphire Refractor Auto #147 BGS 9.5 – Widely heralded as the Mets’ next big thing, catcher Francisco Alvarez is amongst the most talked about prospects in the game right now and scouts rave about his rare combination of raw power and defensive skills. His flagship 2021 Topps Chrome Sapphire Refractor Auto from his first pro set in expert BGS 9.5 condition holds immense long term appeal as a ground floor investment before his inevitable rise to the majors. Alvarez mania is sure to grip Mets fans and collectors alike, putting his prized rookie cards in position to one day fetch truly astounding sums.
Riley Greene, 2020 Bowman’s Best Chrome Refractor Auto BGS 9.5 – As the Tigers continue rebuilding their once storied franchise, coveted outfield prospect Riley Greene is at the forefront of their next wave of young stars and appears MLB ready. The ultra-competitive Greene has committed to continued improvements as he climbs and the team’s faith in him is evident in being called up right away. His signature 2020 Bowman’s Best Chrome rookie refractor auto already possesses incredible eye appeal in pristine BGS 9.5 condition, representing a compelling chance to own an early piece of what could be a superstar’s career before his inevitable breakout.
Julio Rodriguez, 2021 Topps Chrome Sapphire Refractor Auto #204 BGS Mint 9.5 – Widely heralded as one of the premier talents from the 2021 draft class, Julio Rodriguez wasted no time by hitting .284 with six home runs in his MLB debut for the Mariners in 2022. Rodriguez’s rare blend of five-tool skills have earned comps to the likes of Mike Trout and while still young, his star already shines incredibly bright. His ultra-refractors from his flagship Topps Chrome issue hold significant cachet and value being Rodriguez’s first true rookie cards before staking his claim as one of baseball’s brightest young stars on the game’s biggest stage.
Adley Rutschman, 2021 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Refractor Auto #46 BGS Gem Mint 10 – As the top pick and true prize of the 2019 draft class, Adley Rutschman lived up to the immense hype by establishing himself as an elite defender and posting strong on-base skills after his MLB debut this past season for the Orioles. Rutschman’s special talents have drawn comparisons to players like Buster Posey and with his first team entrenched in rebuilding mode, the skies are the limit. His glorious 2021 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Refractor auto in perfect BGS 10 condition represents a rare chance to own the genesis of what could become one of the era’s true franchise cornerstone players before his career truly takes off.
Bobby Witt Jr., 2021 Topps Chrome Sapphire Refractor Auto #154 BGS 9.5 – The second overall pick in the 2019 draft, Bobby Witt Jr. wasted no time by making his MLB debut with the Royals in 2022 where he hit .257 with 13 home runs showing off elite power and defensive skills from shortstop. Witt’s combination of tools and swagger have drawn comps to the great Alex Rodriguez in some scouting circles. His tier one rookie chrome sapphire refractor from Topps’ flagship product already glows in sought after BGS 9.5 condition, offering an chance to invest in the origins of what could develop into one of this generation’s superstar shortstops before his career really takes off.
This covers many of the highest profile modern baseball cards from both rookies and veterans that are likely to attract heavy collector attention and appreciation over the coming years as the players’ careers continue unfolding. With the sustained boom in sports card popularity showing no signs of slowing, prized gems like these graded impeccably can prove to be lucrative long term investments in addition to being prized collectibles commemorating unforgettable players and moments from baseball’s golden age and today’s rising stars.
