Cedric Mullins had a breakout season in 2021 with the Baltimore Orioles that has turned him into one of the hottest young stars in baseball collecting cards. The 27-year-old outfielder had a career year, slashing .291/.360/.518 with 30 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and an All-Star selection. Mullins emerged as the leader of the rebuilding Orioles and has seen his baseball cards skyrocket in value as a result.
Prior to 2021, Mullins was not considered a top prospect and flew under the radar in the hobby. He was drafted in the 13th round out of the University of Florida by the Orioles in 2015. Mullins made his MLB debut in 2018 but struggled early in his career at the plate. In 2019, he hit just .173 in 49 games and didn’t show much promise with baseball card collectors. Mullins’ rookie cards from 2018 Topps Series 1 and Series 2 can still be found for under $10 in mint condition.
Things started to change in 2020 when Mullins began to flash some of his potential. He hit .233 with 3 home runs and stole 4 bases in 56 games during the shortened season due to COVID-19. Mullins started to generate some buzz, but he was still an unknown commodity outside of Baltimore. His 2020 Topps cards traded for around $5-10 each.
Then came Mullins’ breakout 2021 season that turned him into a star. He led the American League with 34 stolen bases and slashed .291/.360/.518 with 30 home runs in 158 games. Mullins became the first Oriole since Brady Anderson in 1996 to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases. His elite speed and power combination made scouts and fans take notice across MLB.
Mullins’ ascension up prospect and rookie lists immediately translated to skyrocketing values for his baseball cards. His 2021 Topps Series 1 and Series 2 rookie cards exploded in demand, reaching over $100 each for PSA 10 gem mint examples. Even raw near mint copies trade hands for $40-60 regularly on the secondary market. Mullins established himself as one of the top rookies and prospects to watch for collectors.
In addition to his 2021 rookie cards, Mullins’ previous years’ issues saw sharp increases in value as well. His 2020 Topps cards jumped to $20-30 range overnight. Even his pre-breakout 2018 and 2019 Topps rookie cards gained newfound collector interest, reaching $15-25 each for high-grade copies. It’s a testament to how quickly player values can change based on on-field performance in the hobby.
Moving forward, Mullins will be one of the most intriguing young stars to follow in 2022 and beyond from an investment standpoint. He’s cemented himself as the new face of the Orioles franchise and will generate lots of cardboard as the team’s starting center fielder and leadoff hitter. Mullins’ autographed memorabilia also holds value, with most signed baseballs trading hands for $100-200 depending on the certification.
The 2022 season will be pivotal for Mullins to prove he can sustain his breakout success. If he posts another All-Star caliber campaign, his cards could climb even higher. A sophomore slump could cool some of the recent hype. Regardless, Mullins has established a strong collector base and will remain one of the most watched young players in the hobby for years to come as he enters his prime.
At just 27 years old, Mullins is signed through the 2025 season and should continue powering the Orioles’ rebuild. As Baltimore’s new franchise cornerstone, his baseball cards provide a great investment opportunity for collectors looking to get in early on a potential future star. After flying under the radar for years, Mullins has emerged as one of the hottest young names in the hobby thanks to his breakout 2021 season. It will be fascinating to watch how his career and cardboard values progress from here.