Tag Archives: 2018

2018 BASEBALL TRADING CARDS TOP RATED

Leave a reply

The 2018 baseball season saw some tremendous individual and team performances that translated to many star players and standout rookie cards being highly coveted by collectors in the current trading card market. With huge stars changing teams, rookies making immediate impacts, milestones being reached, and another World Series winner, there was no shortage of excitement and collectibles to chase down.

Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most popular and valuable 2018 baseball trading cards that collectors sought after and speculate how certain cards may hold up in future years. One of the biggest storylines of the 2018 season was Manny Machado being traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline. Having established himself as one of baseball’s premier power hitters and defensive stars, Machado was playing the final few months of his contract before hitting free agency.

Cards featuring Machado as a Dodger, such as his base Topps flagship rookie card or specific Dodgers parallels and autographs from 2018 Topps products, skyrocketed in demand and price after the blockbuster July trade. Machado mania continued into the offseason as he signed a record $300 million free agent contract with the San Diego Padres, leading to even more desire for his 2018 Dodgers cards. Many feel Machado remains in his prime at just 26 years old and could continue putting up huge offensive numbers for the next decade, lending strong long term potential to his 2018 update cards in new Padres uniforms.

Another coveted 2018 rookie card was that of super prospect Ronald Acuña Jr, who burst onto the MLB scene with the Atlanta Braves. Acuña amazed with tape measure home runs, stellar defense, and electric baserunning ability from day one. The Venezuelan outfielder won NL Rookie of the Year honors and seems destined for superstardom. His 2018 Topps Chrome Auto refractor rookie remains one of the most expensive modern rookie cards on the secondary market, often commanding four figures or more for a single copy in near mint condition. With tremendous upside still ahead as he enters only his age 21 season, Acuña’s 2018 rookie cards could end up being all-time valuable in the long run.

A pair of American League East rivals experienced huge roster shakeups that made certain 2018 cards quite collectible. The New York Yankees acquired NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins in a blockbuster 2017-18 offseason deal. Stanton immediately proved worthy in pinstripes with monster home run totals to join Aaron Judge in one of MLB’s most feared lineups. Cards from 2018 Topps Series 2 onward featuring Stanton in Yankeesuniform, as well as premium parallels and autographs, took off in demand.Over in Boston, the Red Soxadded perennial All-Star J.D. Martinezvia free agency. Martinez enjoyed acareer year by slamming 43 home runs and leading the powerful BoSox offense. His 2018 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card as a member of the Detroit Tigers remains a popular bargain for savvy collectors.

Two longtime Dodgers franchise cornerstones cemented their statuses as modern legends by reaching historic milestones in 2018. Clayton Kershaw captured his third NL Cy Young award by age 30 while racking up his 2500th strikeout. The lefty ace remains one of the best pitchers of his generation and his 2018 Topps Update Silver Pack parallels gained value after another stellar seasonal performance. Around the same time, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez blasted his 500th career home run before retiring, making 2018 Topps Update cards featuring this achievement quite collectible for AGon fans and Dodger adherents. Both Kershaw and Gonzalez helped push LA to their sixth straight NL West title and second World Series in three years that October.

The dominant Houston Astros pitching staff carried the team to their best record in franchise history and first-ever World Series win over the Dodgers. Top rookie cards from 2018 included Justin Verlander, who was acquired in a 2017 trade and led the ‘Stros rotation to their title. Gerrit Cole also had a breakout campaign to finish second in AL Cy Young voting. While the core position player stars like Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa remain sought after as well, the emerging arms from Houston’s strong 2018 squad saw rising secondary market values.

Rookie sensation Juan Soto made an instant impact for the Washington Nationals in his age 19 season. Soto won NL Rookie of the Year while showing veteran plate discipline and hitting skills at such a young age. The Dominican outfielder became a fan favorite in DC and his 2018 Topps Chrome Autograph Refractor remains one of the priciest modern rookie autographs available. There is universal belief in the hobby that Soto will win MVP awards and put together a Hall of Fame career if he stays healthy. As such, early Soto cards are excellent long term investments.

Collectors were also high on Mike Trout, who cemented himself as the greatest active player with another MVP-caliber campaign for the Los Angeles Angels. The unsigned 2012 Topps Update Trout rookie remains one of the “holy grails” of the modern era alongside cards like Mickey Mantle’s ’52 Topps.Trout also reached new heights with his 2018 Bowman Chrome Draft auto refractor rookie, which graded gem mint PSA 10 frequently changes hands for sums in the six-figure range. Simply put, any signed Trout cards from the early 2010s are worthwhile keepsakes given his seemingly unlimited upside.

Two milestones were reached in Cooperstown during midsummer 2018 induction festivities. Chipper Jones, Larry Walker, and Jim Thome all saw long awaited enshrinements into the Hall of Fame. Cards from the players’ heydays spiked in price amongst collectors wanting a tangible piece of baseball immortality. Vintage 1990s Chipper, Walker from his 1997 NL MVP season with the Rockies, and tough pulling autographs of Thome’s impressive 612 career home runs all gained new collectors. Their inductions served as a reminder for fans and investors on the enduring allure of accomplishment and tradition within the game.

The 2018 MLB season contained innumerable storylines that translated to strong demand for certain star players’ modern issue cards and memorabilia, as well as renewed appreciation for retired greats who were immortalized in Cooperstown. Manny Machado, Ronald Acuña Jr, Giancarlo Stanton, J.D. Martinez and more enjoyed breakout campaigns or volume offensive seasons that spikes collector interest in accurate representations of their accomplishments at baseball’s highest level. Meanwhile, icons like Trout, Kershaw, Soto and rookie phenoms like Acuña and Soto retain amazing long term potential that serves collectors well for portfoliobuilding. With exciting futures still ahead, many 2018 cards profiled here should retain and grow in value, being worth holding onto as prized keepsakes of the year that was.

2018 LEAF BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2018 Leaf baseball card set was highly anticipated by collectors and marked another quality release from Leaf Trading Cards. Leaf has established itself as one of the top modern baseball card brands known for sharp photography, creative parallels, and unique inserts. Their 2018 offering did not disappoint with a variety of insert sets celebrating legendary players and exciting rookies that broke into the major leagues.

The base card design was clean and straightforward, featuring a headshot of the player on a white background with team and player details printed clearly below. As with previous Leaf releases, the photographs were high resolution and captured the subjects effectively. The base sets ranged from 108 cards for the value Jumbo pack to 288 cards for the deluxe Factory Set release. parallels included the popular Gold (1:36 packs), Gold Foil (1:72), and Autograph parallels (1:288 Jumbo).

One of the most popular insert sets was the “Legends” cards paying homage to some of the all-time greats of the game like Hank Aaron, Mike Schmidt, and Nolan Ryan. Rendered in a stylized vintage-feel design, each card in the 15-card set featured a photo highlighting a career accomplishment paired with text detailing a pivotal moment. As one of the scarcer inserts at 1:144 packs, these were a big hit with collectors seeking connections to baseball history.

Rookies were also a major focus with Leaf debuting short print variations of some of the freshly minted stars. Shohei Ohtani’s dominance on both sides of the ball led to huge interest in his rookie cards, including the coveted “Rated Rookie” parallel limited to 1 per 432 packs. Other notable rookies that received flashy variations included Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Gleyber Torres who all made immediate impacts on their new clubs.

Veteran superstars were well-represented as always in Leaf sets. The “Hall of Fame Signatures” 14-card insert set showcased legendary autographs of Mariano Rivera, Cal Ripken Jr., and Ted Williams among others. With extremely low odds, theseauthenticated autograph cards became holy grails for collectors pursuing the all-time great autograph rookies. Mike Trout collectors had plenty to chase as well with parallels like the 1/432 “Rainbow Foil” variation capturing his superb 2017 season.

Beyond the on-card content, Leaf truly shined with their box topper inserts found one per factory sealed box. The most eye-popping were the 1/432 “Prizm” parallel boxes featuring a dual photo prismatic prizm card of two star players on colorful foil stock. Other sought-after box toppers included “Diamond Anniversary” tribute cards for historic 30-year anniversaries and eye-catching “Rainbow Foil” parallels of major stars.

The factory set took collector experience to another level by including every base and insert card along with an acetate display case and a binder for storage and organization. Numbered to only 2018 copies, each set came with a jumbo pack containing guaranteed hits and parallels to make it a true premium high-end collectors item. Between the exhaustive checklist and the added value of hits inside, these became an instant collector favorite upon release.

Leaf also broadened their offerings outside of the traditional packs and boxes. A “Rack Pack” contained 24 factory-sealed packs plus a special bonus item like a jersey card or autographed photo mounted on a display rack. For the true “super-collectors”, individually numbered “Private Stock” portfolios were available by special order containing an entire case’s worth of Leaf’s best hits hand-selected and presented with care in a custom case.

The 2018 Leaf baseball release reflected another benchmark year for the modern brand by perfectly balancing established star power with exciting emerging talents. From the sharp photography and creative parallels to the various hit-laden premium products, Leaf delivered quality and scarcity across all collecting levels. With the mix of popular veteran inserts, coveted rookie short prints, and enticing box toppers, it’s no wonder the 2018 offering became one of the most collected modern issues in the hobby. Leaf’s combination of compelling on-card content and premium collector experiences continues to draw lifelong and new fans to their iconic baseball cards each year.

MOST VALUABLE TOPPS 2018 BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The Topps baseball card company has been producing collectible cards featuring Major League Baseball players for over 60 years. Each year, Topps releases new sets of cards for collectors and fans to purchase. The 2018 Topps series was no different, featuring the latest crop of MLB stars. Not all cards are created equal from a collectibility and value perspective. While many 2018 Topps cards can now be found for under $1, some have significantly increased in value in the years since being released. Here are some of the most valuable and sought-after 2018 Topps baseball cards on the current market:

Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card (Topps Chrome #91) – One of the biggest rookie sensations of 2018 was two-way star Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels. Considered a true five-tool player who could both hit for power and dominate on the mound, Ohtani’s electric play generated enormous hype. His rookie cards from 2018 Topps are among the hottest commodities, with the Topps Chrome parallel #91 easily eclipsing all other 2018 rookies in value. Fresh PSA 10 gems of this card have sold for over $1,000, with raw near-mint copies bringing $300-500. Ohtani mania shows no signs of slowing, ensuring this will remain one of the crown jewels of the 2018 Topps set.

Ronald Acuña Jr. Rookie Card (Topps #132) – Joining Ohtani as the cream of the 2018 rookie crop was Braves outfield phenom Ronald Acuña Jr. The young Atlanta star blasted his way onto the scene with a monster debut season that saw him hit .293 with 26 home runs and 64 RBI in only 111 games. His standard Topps rookie card has become iconic from the set and desirable in high grades. Near-mint PSA 9 versions routinely sell for $150-200, with PSA 10s reaching over $500. The #132 captures Acuña’s early dominance and remains hugely popular for Atlanta fans and player collectors.

Mookie Betts Topps NOW Card (#201) – While not technically part of the standard 2018 Topts base set, Topps NOW cards produced to commemorate in-season milestones and performances also hold value. No Topps NOW had a bigger impact that year than Mookie Betts’ memorable three-homer game on July 31 vs. the Blue Jays. Topps created card #201 featuring an action shot from the game to acknowledge Betts’ feat. In high grades like PSA 10, this coveted short-print card has sold for over $400 due to its uniqueness and subject’s star power. Topps NOW cards provide a different collecting dynamic.

Aaron Judge Rookie Cup Parallel (#144) – As one of the most feared sluggers in the game, Aaron Judge’s rookie cards from 2017 are highly acclaimed. Collectors still prize parallel versions from his true rookie season in 2018 Topps as well. The gold Rookie Cup parallel of his base card #144, limited to only 50 copies, has achieved hammer prices close to $1,000 ungraded when in pristine condition. Judge’s continued excellence ensures virtually any of his limited parallels maintain strong valuations.

Christian Yelich Mini Rainbow (/5) – Christian Yelich’s breakout 2018 MVP season with the Brewers took the baseball world by storm. Topps aptly chose to highlight Yelich’s brilliant campaign with several limited parallel cards in the 2018 set. Among the rarest was a five-card 1/1 mini rainbow variation, with each card featuring a different colour border and serial number. When a full matched set recently went on auction, it blew away expectations by selling for nearly $9,000. Yelich mania on the heels of an iconic season translated to mega value for collectors.

As several years have now passed since the 2018 Topps release, many key cards from that set have seen rapid ascension thanks to burgeoning player popularity, elite rookie seasons, and the natural archival nature of vintage cardboard collections. For savvy investors, identifying breakout stars and valuable parallel variants from Topps’ annual baseball output provides a uniquely nostalgic investment category. When high-grade copies change hands, 2018 standouts like Ohtani, Acuña Jr., Betts, Judge, and Yelich continually bring top dollar and underscore the long term potential of building a smart baseball card portfolio from even just a few years ago.

2018 BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

Leave a reply

The 2018 MLB season saw baseball cards continue to grow in popularity as a collecting hobby. While most modern card issues are readily available and hold little monetary value a year or two after release, there are always a select few rookie cards, short printed cards, and parallels that gain value quickly. Here are some of the top 2018 baseball cards that have shown the most potential to be worth serious money in the coming years.

Perhaps the biggest storyline in baseball cards in 2018 surrounded the explosive rookie season of Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels. As a two-way player who excelled both as a pitcher and hitter, Ohtani shattered expectations and records as one of the most unique talents the sport has ever seen. Not surprisingly, his 2018 rookie cards have been some of the most sought after issues of the year. His Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card (#’d /199) has already eclipsed $200 in value raw, with gem mint 10 examples selling for over $500. His Topps Series 1 and Series 2 base rookie cards have also surged, with PSA 10 copies worth $100-150 each. Going forward, these will likely continue climbing as Ohtani continues to perform at an elite level.

Another 2018 rookie class standout, Atlanta Braves rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. had one of the finest debut seasons in recent memory. The 20-year-old outfielder made a major impact right away with his five-tool abilities, and his cards predictably became hot commodities. His Topps Series 1 base RC has risen above $40 raw, with PSA 10s now selling for $150-200. But perhaps his most valuable card so far is his Topps Chrome Refractor RC (#’d /199), valued in the $300-400 range gem mint. With Acuna locked in as a core piece of the Braves future, these cards should end up being long term blue chip holdings.

While rookie phenoms get most of the headlines, breakout seasons from established veterans can also make their cards overnight money-makers. No player exemplified that better in 2018 than Christian Yelich, who was traded from the Marlins to the Brewers in the offseason and proceeded to have an MVP caliber year. His Topps Series 1 base card value more than quadrupled since the start of the season, to around $12-15 raw now. But more scarce parallels like his Topps Fire Refractor (#/99) have shot up even higher – those sell for $75-100 in pristine condition now after being virtually worthless early in the year. Yelich’s ongoing dominance locks him in as a perennial All-Star, so these cards should retain and even build on their current value moving forward.

Short prints have long been a driving factor for high-end baseball card collectors chasing rare and valuable subsets. 2018 saw a few particularly short printed rookie cards spike in price. Cardinals prospect Dylan Carlson had one of the more notable short prints with his Topps Big League Blue Refractor rookie (#/150). With very few copies making it to collectors initially, prices exploded – raw copies have sold for over $500, with a PSA 10 recently bringing an amazing $3,100. Similarly, Dodgers prospect Keibert Ruiz saw his Topps Clearly Authentic Ruby Refractor RC (#/25) rocket past $1,000 raw and $3,000 graded mint over the summer. With these players’ futures still unwritten but potential stardom in reach, their ultra-limited rookie cards could grow exponentially with continued success.

While stars drive much of the long-term speculative potential in the hobby, oddball vintage-styled inserts can also find cult followings and appreciation over time. One 2018 standout was Topps Heritage Minor League Orange Refractors, limited to only 5 copies each for 125 prospects showcased. Some examples, like Gavin Lux (#/5), Adley Rutschman (#/5), and Nico Hoerner (#/5) hit the $300-500 raw range this year. But with low pop reports and true “relic” status in very small print runs, these ethereal rookies could explode further if any of those players blossom into impact MLBers long-term. They’re true long shots, but with so few in existence they retain an almost “phantom” irresistible allure to uber-collectors.

As 2018 wrapped and players embarked on their 2019 campaigns, postseason performances also created buzz and increased demand around certain stars’ cards. This proved especially true for rookie superlatives like Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, who smashed an NL rookie record 53 home runs. His Topps Series 1 and Series 2 rookie cards jumped up noticeably, with the base cards now $15-20 and Toppschrome refractors around $75-100. But perhaps no single card benefitted more than his prized Topps National League Breakout Prospect (/99) parallel, where examples have fetched over $500 raw and $1,000+ graded since his heroic home run derby performance and strong playoff showing. Alonso has quickly become a fan favorite, and barring any dropoff his cards look positioned very well long term.

While flashier rookie stars and big name veterans tend to drive initial hype and investment, baseball card collectors are also constantly on the hunt for deeper values at lower prices. One under-the-radar area in 2018 that showed promise were some affordable international prospects with potential upside. Japanese two-way sensation Kodai Senga saw modest interest in his Topps Series 1 and 2 rookie cards initially, but examples have doubled to $5-8 raw on raw power/stuff alone. Mexican prospect Adrian Morejon’s Topps Update Green Shimmer parallel (#/150) hovered around $30-40 over the summer but could multiply further if he reaches his ceiling with the Padres. And Cuban Alek Manoah’s Topps prospect card held its $3-5 price all season but may surge higher if he proves himself in the Jays system next year. With the growing globalization of MLB talent, the 2018 international crop could reward patient collectors.

In summary, 2018 was yet another banner year for the baseball card industry seeing explosive prospects, impact veterans, and short printed parallels drive speculation and excitement among collectors. While the cards highlighted may see further climbs or declines based on future performance on the field, the young stars, breakouts, and oddball inserts that took off last season show the types of 2018 cards with potential to deliver the biggest long-term payoffs. For savvy investors, this provides a valuable case study on the profiles to target in any given modern card year that may end up being truly ‘worth money’ down the road.

2018 BASEBALL CARDS BOX

Leave a reply

2018 was another banner year for the baseball card industry as interest in collecting remained high. While digital streaming has disrupted many entertainment and media industries over the past decade, physical baseball cards have continued to engage collectors both young and old. Whether it’s chasing rookie cards of future stars, completing full sets, or searching for autographs and memorabilia cards of their favorite players, opening a pack of baseball cards still provides a thrill that the digital domain has been unable to replicate.

Topps, the Sports Industry giant that has produced the flagship baseball card set each year since 1951, released several major products in 2018. Their flagship “Topps Baseball” set featured cards of every major and minor league player on a standard size 5 1⁄2×2 5/8 card stock. as has been the case for several years now, the base card design was clean and featured an action shot of each player on the front with basic stats and team info on the back. Insert sets within the base Topps release included ‘Topps NOW’ which featured timely print runs of cards commemorating events from that current season.

Another Topps product that was hugely popular among collectors in 2018 was “Allen & Ginter”. Unlike the rostered Topps set, A&G cards featured a diverse assortment of subjects from the world of sports, entertainment, history and more all on the same card stock size. Some examples of subjects featured in 2018 A&G included artists, inventors, landmarks and of course current MLB players. The Allen & Ginter set is beloved for its surprise factor of not knowing what fascinating figure or topic the next card may hold. Insert sets in A&G included ‘Rare Air’ which featured parallels of famous figures through history on sky blue card stock

Panini America also had a sizable presence in the 2018 trading card market. Their flagship “Donruss Optic” set included some of the glossiest and most vivid card designs of the year. Featuring frosted refractors, purple parallels and green laser prizms among other modern insert sets. Panini sets like Donruss Optic tend to be a bit more focused on the memorabilia card side of the hobby compared to other brands. 2018 included ‘Onyx’ parallels which featured a charcoal parallel design and the chance for autographed or memorabilia inserts.

In addition to these mainstream flagship products, 2018 also saw the release of several exciting specialty sets. Topps released tribute sets commemorating iconic players and eras of the past including a stunning “5×7 Heritage” set featuring oversized cards of retired greats like Yogi Berra and Bob Gibson. Upper Deck also paid homage to legends with “Untouchable” a set featuring traded parallels and memorabilia cards of star players from the 1990s.

For the team and player collector there was no shortage of options either in 2018. Both Panini and Topps released high-end sets completely devoted to individual franchises like “Topps Diamond Collection” and “Panini Contenders NFL.” These pricy boxes provided the chance at rare autographs and memorabilia cards from stars currently playing for favorite MLB squads.

While many pasttimes have become more digital in the mobile era, opening 2018 baseball card packs was as nostalgic and exciting as ever on store shelves. The wide variety of products offered franchise collectors, memorabilia chasers, autograph hunters and casual fans meant there was truly something for everyone. eBay also remains a vibrant marketplace where collectors can buy, sell and trade with fellow fans worldwide. Whether it’s chasing stars of today or honoring those of yesterday, the enduring appeal of baseball cards ensures this American tradition will remain popular for many years to come.

2018 TOPPS BASEBALL ROOKIE CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2018 Major League Baseball season saw an impressive crop of talented rookies make their debuts and many of them had highly sought-after rookie cards released in 2018 Topps baseball products. Some of the top rookies of 2018 included Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres and Walker Buehler. With so many exciting young players breaking into the big leagues, collectors were eager to find and accumulate their rookie cards.

Shohei Ohtani was arguably the biggest rookie story of 2018 as he was the first player in decades to regularly pitch and hit as a pitcher/designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels. As a two-way player with immense talent on both the mound and at the plate, Ohtani generated incredible hype. That translated to strong demand for his rookie cards, including his prestigious Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card which showed him in an Angels uniform. Ohtani rookies were some of the most popular and valuable cards pulled from 2018 Topps packs and boxes.

Another mega-prospect who burst onto the scene was Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves. Acuna jumped directly from Double-A to the majors and showed from day one that he was ready with his elite five-tool skillset. Topps commemorated his arrival by including a special “Diamond Debut” parallel marking Acuna’s first MLB game. This parallel and his standard base rookie became must-haves for player collectors. Acuna went on to have a spectacular rookie campaign that ended with him running away with the NL Rookie of the Year award.

While Ohtani and Acuna got most of the early season hype,Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto slowly emerged as another impossible-to-ignore rookie force. Despite being only 19 years old, Soto held his own against major league pitching and played a key role in the Nats’ late-season surge. Soto’s smooth lefty swing and mature approach at the plate made him a fan favorite. The rookie crop being so strong, Soto’sCards slipped under the radar more than the other top talents. But savvy collectors recognized Soto as a special talent and future star, making his cards like the Topps Fire parallel a wise long term investment.

In addition to their talents on the field, another thing that made Ohtani, Acuna and Soto’s rookie cards so widely collected was their scarcity in retail packs. Meanwhile, Gleyber Torres gave Yankees fans an exciting young position player to follow. Though he received a late season call-up, Torres still made a strong enough impression that year to garner a prominent rookie card footprint in 2018 Topps products. Torres had multiple parallels like Topps Chrome that kept collectors engaged.

On the pitching side, LA Dodgers hurler Walker Buehler also splashed onto the scene in 2018. Despite limited innings due to injury issues, Buehler showed electric stuff when on the mound. Like Torres, Buehler’s late call-up meant collectors had to stay on the hunt for his Topps rookie cards in retail. Getting less attention from the hobby at the time compared to others, Buehler rookie cards proved to be quality long term investments for discerning collectors.

In addition to starring rookies, 2018 Topps baseball had its usual assortment of parallel and short printed variants to keep the hobby on its toes. Autograph and memorabilia cards of the top prospects added significant chase value to hobby boxes. Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome were particularly hot due to the flashy refractors and color parallels they provided of players like Acuna. For collectors seeking the biggest stars of tomorrow in their early career, 2018 Topps baseball proved to be a highly rewarding year. While prices have since risen on cards of players who panned out, it’s always fun to look back on the rookies who first broke in during an exciting 2018 MLB season.

TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS 2018 SERIES 2

Leave a reply

Topps baseball cards are the undisputed leader in the collectible baseball card market, having produced cards uninterrupted since 1951. Every year, Topps releases multiple series of new baseball cards covering that year’s MLB season. The 2018 Series 2 base set was released in June 2018, continuing Topps’ tradition of providing affordable and expansive baseball card options for collectors of all ages and interests.

The 2018 Topps Series 2 base set contained 320 total cards and featured current MLB players from all 30 teams. Some of the big name stars featured in photo or action shots on their base cards included Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Jose Altuve, Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Kris Bryant, and Mike Trout. As with all Topps base sets, the photography and production values were of high quality. The cards had a glossy finish and measured approximately 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, fitting neatly into standard baseball card holders.

Beyond the base rookie and star player cards, Topps included several popular inserts and parallels to increase collector interest. “Photo Variations” changed up the front image of certain cards with alternative poses or expressions. “Moments & Milestones” highlighted specific career achievements on retro-designed cards. Foil parallels such as “Refractors” added aesthetic flair by giving some cards a shiny overlay. Autograph and memorabilia cards provided the opportunity for exclusive, high-end relics from today’s sluggers.

Veteran players who had achieved milestones in their career were recognized with special “Stats!” inserts highlighting their impressive statistics. For example, Albert Pujols received a card memorializing his 600th home run from the 2017 season. Similarly, Adrian Beltre and Ichiro Suzuki got custom cards celebrating 3,000 career hits. These specific numbers made the cards instant collectors’ items for fans of those icons.

Rookies and prospects just starting their MLB journey had several exclusive options as well. The traditional “Top Prospects” subset brought attention to the brightest young talents, such as Gleyber Torres and Kevin Maitan. An “XRC” parallel pairing a photo with an in-game card stock relic satisfied collectors looking for memorabilia from stars of tomorrow. A “Top 100 Prospects” guide ranked the best upcoming players for drafters of fantasy baseball teams.

The reverse sides of each 2018 Topps Series 2 baseball card contained informative writing on the featured player. In addition to traditional stats, bios pulled out fun facts, unique accomplishments, and quirks to further tell each player’s story. For example, Didi Gregorius’ bio mentions his unusual pre-game eating habits that include peanut butter and pasta. Collectors enjoyed learning about the personalities behind their favorite on-field stars.

As an added bonus for completionists, Topps included three mini parallels within the base set. The “Clear” parallel had see-through fronts. Meanwhile, the “Negative” parallel inverted the colors on selected cards. A limited “Sticker Autograph” variation brilliantly integrated autographs seamlessly within the design. These special variants stimulated chase for collectors hoping to track down one-of-a-kind rarities.

In total, Topps 2018 Series 2 baseball cards achieved the perfect balance of access and depth that has sustained their popularity decade after decade. With such a wide variety of interesting cards at affordable direct market prices, it’s no wonder the set became a smash hit with both casual fans and veteran collectors. Whether completing a player’s full base card collection or pursuing scarce parallel versions, the 2018 Topps Series 2 set provided enjoyment, education and nostalgia around America’s pastime in a way no other brand can match. Its massive success underscores why Topps remains the standard in the baseball card industry after so many decades in the game.

2018 BOWMAN CHROME BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

Leave a reply

The 2018 Bowman Chrome baseball card set is one of the more popular modern release in the hobby due to its shiny refractors and prospect selection. While the base cards have relatively modest values, the parallels and autographs from this set can be quite valuable for investors and collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top rookies and prospects from 2018 Bowman Chrome and how their card values have fluctuated over time.

One of the most coveted rookies from 2018 Bowman Chrome is Juan Soto. As a consensus top prospect heading into that season, Soto did not disappoint by winning the National League Rookie of the Year award. His chrome base card can be found for under $10, but the parallels and autographs command much higher prices. The Soto Prismatic Refractor (#172) regularly sells for $100-200 raw, while a on-card auto fetches $500-1000 depending on the parallel. With Soto still being just 21 years old and considered a future superstar, these prices are likely to continue climbing over the long run.

Another top 2018 rookie who has seen his cards appreciate is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. While he did not make his MLB debut until 2019, Guerrero was probably the most buzzed about Blue Jays prospect in years. The Guerrero Jr. base chrome sells for $15-25 but his Prismatic Refractor (#189) recently brought in over $600 at auction. Autographs range from $300-1000 based on the parallel. With Guerrero looking like a perennial All-Star already, his cards should hold strong investment value moving forward.

Two other 2018 Bowman Chrome rookies that appeared in the majors in their debut seasons and showed promise are Eloy Jimenez and Shane Bieber. Jimenez smashed 31 home runs as a rookie in 2019 for the White Sox and has become a fan favorite on the South Side. His base card goes for $10-15 but Prismatic Refractors hit $150-250. Autographed cards vary from $200-600. Bieber burst onto the scene by winning the AL Cy Young award in 2020 after posting a stellar 1.63 ERA. While not quite the name recognition of some others, Bieber’s talent is undeniable and his base is $8-12 with autos at $150-350.

Beyond the rookie phenoms, there are also many top prospects from 2018 Bowman Chrome who have yet to debut but possess sky-high ceilings. Wander Franco continues to be the cream of the crop as the consensus #1 prospect in baseball playing for the Rays. Due to his extreme hype, even his base chrome exceeds $20-30 with color parallels reaching $300-700 raw. On-card autos command at least $1000-2000 each. Another highly regarded but still pre-debut talent is UCLA standout Jarred Kelenic, who was acquired by the Mets in the Robinson Cano deal. Kelenic’s cards have recently cooled off some from record highs, but his autos still pull in $400-700 on average.

While not all prospects from 2018 Bowman Chrome panned out, there are still prospects in the pipeline who could emerge as future superstars. Players like Jo Adell with the Angels, Nolan Gorman of the Cardinals, and Andrew Vaughn on the White Sox all hold promise. Their current card values are pretty modest, but savvy collectors are snapping up their autographs and color parallels for under $100 now in anticipation of future success. The fun of these Bowman Chrome releases is identifying the future stars still in the minors.

While the 2018 Bowman Chrome base cards themselves have somewhat plateaued value-wise, the parallel refractors and autographs of the top rookies and prospects from that year continue appreciating due to proven on-field success and future potential. Savvy investors are securing affordable color parallels and autos now of still unproven talents like Gorman, Adell, and Vaughn. The exciting rookies of Soto, Guerrero Jr., and Jimenez make their prized refractors and autographs true keepers. With such a wealth of talent featured, 2018 Bowman Chrome ensures its legacy as one of the great modern prospect sets.

YouTube player

2018 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS MOST VALUABLE

Leave a reply

The 2018 Topps Baseball card set featured some of the game’s biggest stars and top prospects. As with every year, a select few cards stand out as being the most valuable for collectors. Several factors contribute to a card’s value, including the player’s performance, popularity, and future potential. Scarcity also plays a major role, as lower print runs lead to higher demand.

One of the biggest risers in value from the 2018 Topps set has been Shohei Ohtani. As a rookie, Ohtani made history by thriving as both a pitcher and hitter for the Los Angeles Angels. His unique two-way talents captivated fans across baseball. In the 2018 Topps set, Ohtani’s most valuable card is his base rookie (#150). Due to his breakout debut season, combined with his rare left-handed hitting/right-handed pitching abilities, collector demand for Ohtani rookies skyrocketed. Near-mint, graded copies of this coveted rookie now sell for over $1,000.

Another rookie seeing tremendous growth is Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals. At just 19 years old in 2018, Soto crushed 22 home runs and posted an OPS of .923 to finish second in NL Rookie of the Year voting. His extraordinary poise and production as a teen phenomenon created buzz around MLB. Soto’s Topps base rookie (#99) has followed suit, with PSA 10 versions commanding $800-1000. Both the Ohtani and Soto rookies hold significant long term value as arguably the top prospects from the 2018 draft class.

For star veterans, superstar Mike Trout’s cards are consistently at the top of value lists. In 2018, Trout had another incredible season by winning his third AL MVP award. As one of the game’s true generational talents, Trout mania shows no signs of slowing. His base Topps card (#97) grades out nicely in PSA 10 for $350-400. Another perennial superstar, Clayton Kershaw put together a strong walk year before leaving the Dodgers via free agency. His 2018 Topps base (#291) in a 10 gem nets $150-250 due to his first-ballot Hall of Fame resume and LA star power.

For pitchers, three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer remains one of the most dominant hurlers in baseball. At age 33 in 2018, Mad Max led the league with a stellar 2.53 ERA and 300 strikeouts. As a surefire future Hall of Famer, his 2018 Topps base card (#111) in PSA 10 condition sells around the $100-150 range. Another arm in high demand is Corey Kluber, coming off his second career Cy Young in 2017. Kluber’s blend of pinpoint control and electric stuff make him a stud on the mound. His Topps base (#353) in a 10 grade fetches $75-100 for Cleveland fans and prospectors.

Beyond star individuals, some inserts and parallels hold significant value as well. For rookies, the Topps Chrome Refractors remain a tried and true prized parallel. Soto’s refractors from 2018 can reach over $500 PSA 10, while Ohtani’s attain $400 slabs. For veterans, the Topps Finest parallels undergo high demand. Trout’s 2018 Finest Purple refractor 10’s have sold north of $250 multiple times. On the team side, Patriots Day and Stars and Stripes parallels appeal due to their intricate designs combined with limited print runs.

The 2018 Topps product featured several rookies that exploded onto the scene like Ohtani and Soto. Their base rookies lead the way as flagship cards for collector value. Perennial superstars Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw command the most for established veterans. Beyond the standouts, refractor and specialty parallels round out the high-end options. With another year of player performance and collecting interest behind it, the 2018 Topps set maintains relevancy in today’s booming baseball card market. Rookie hits like Ohtani and Soto especially hold promise as blue-chip investments long term.

2018 BOWMAN BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2018 Bowman baseball card season was one of the most anticipated in years due to the influx of exciting young prospects throughout baseball and the hobby. Bowman is considered the premiere brand for focusing on minor leaguers and top draft picks, making its releases each year a go-to for collectors seeking the stars of tomorrow.

The flagship 2018 Bowman product released in April and had collector interest through the roof. With prospects like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Eloy Jimenez, Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Juan Soto gracing packs, expectations were high. Each of those prospects delivered monster rookie seasons in 2018 as well, helping drive interest in their Bowman cards even higher.

Guerrero Jr., still considered the top overall prospect in baseball at the time, was extremely sought after in his handful of 2018 Bowman offerings. His paper base card settled around $10-15 each while parallels and autographs could fetch hundreds or more. Expect his values to continue climbing each time he hits a home run for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Equally as hyped was Eloy Jimenez’s cards after racking up minor league stats that had scouts drooling. Playing in the White Sox system, Bowman captured him in both his base Chicago uniform as well as in some Colorado Rockies gear from a past trade. With scouts comparing him to Giancarlo Stanton as a power hitter, collectors jumped all over Jimenez’s 2018 Bowman rookies.

Internationally, Ronald Acuna Jr. had established himself as one of the most exciting prospects in baseball the year prior. But 2018 saw him have a true breakout season with the Atlanta Braves that immediately took his cards to new heights. At just 21 years old, Acuna became the youngest player ever to hit 26 homers before the All-Star break. His cards rocketed up accordingly on the strength of his MLB exploits.

Shohei Ohtani’s highly anticipated transition from Nippon Professional Baseball to Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Angels also created a frenzy around any of his scarce 2018 Bowman releases. Considered a true five-tool star with potential for huge offensive and pitching contributions, collectors paid top dollar to obtain Ohtani’s first Major League cards in English.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2018 MLB season though came from Juan Soto, who barely cracked prospect rankings a year prior. Summoned rapidly through the Washington Nationals system, Soto became the youngest MLB player ever to hit a home run in the World Series at age 19 and immediately jumped into superstar status. His Bowman rookies skyrocketed as a result of his breakout campaign despite not being a marquee name a year earlier.

Beyond the headliners, 2018 Bowman did an excellent job profiling other future stars creeping up prospect lists and draft boards from the year prior. Names like Forrest Whitley, Brendan Rodgers, Austin Riley, Kyle Tucker, and Kyle Wright filled packs and provided affordable opportunities to invest in tomorrow’s top talents. All were among Baseball America’s preseason top 50 prospects.

Parallels and inserts in 2018 Bowman added layers of collecting interest as well, as players like Sixto Sanchez, Nick Senzel, and Shane Bieber received lower print run refractors, negatives, and autos that take on greater significance given their MLB breakouts the following seasons. And vintage stock style cards blending current prospects with archived team logos created a nostalgic collecting element.

On the postseason front, Bowman Draft and Bowman’s Best brought additional first Major League cards for the class while also seeding the next wave of names to watch from the most recent draft like Jarred Kelenic, Nolan Gorman, Riley Greene, and Bryson Stott. And international signings gained recognition through exclusive cards of Wander Franco, Adrian Hernandez, and Luis Matos.

The 2018 Bowman season did an exemplary job of showcasing the influx of young talent reshaping Major League Baseball rosters and record books. With so many of the featured players graduating to stardom so rapidly, it created a special time for collectors able to tap into the season and take positions in cards that would see explosive gains in value as careers took shape. Few other years rivaled 2018’s crop of future superstars crossing over Bowman packs.