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EBAY BASEBALL CARDS ELLY DE LA CRUZ

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Elly de la Cruz is one of the top prospects in all of baseball and his cards are highly sought after by collectors. The Dominican outfielder was signed by the Cincinnati Reds as an international free agent in 2020 and has skyrocketed up prospect rankings with his incredible tools and performance in the minors. As a result, eBay has seen a boom in demand for de la Cruz’s rookie cards as fans look to acquire cards of the future star.

De la Cruz made his professional debut in 2021 playing for the Reds rookie level Arizona Complex League team where he slashed .325/.419/.575 with 5 home runs and 23 RBI in just 34 games. Scouts were impressed with his raw power, speed, and athleticism at such a young age. This breakout season helped drive early interest in his cards among collectors looking to buy cards of the next big thing. Some of his earliest cards from 2021 Bowman Draft, Bowman Platinum, and Topps Series 1 sold well on the marketplace.

In 2022, de la Cruz was promoted straight to Low-A Dayton where he continued mashing in his full season debut. Across two levels, he hit .309 with 14 home runs, 52 RBI, and 21 stolen bases in just 101 games as a 19-year-old. The incredible power/speed combo he displayed against older competition further cemented his status as a future star. This breakout amplified demand for his rookie cards on eBay as his name started appearing more frequently on top prospect lists. Prices rose accordingly as buyers looked to capitalize on acquiring cards of an emerging young talent before he reached the majors.

Some key Elly de la Cruz rookie cards that saw increased eBay sales and valuations in 2022 included:

2021 Bowman Draft Pink Refractor Auto /150 – These scarce autographed parallel cards climbed above $500-600 as de la Cruz’s stock rose. Early season listings under $300 proved to be bargains.

2021 Bowman Platinum Refractor /299 – High-end parallels like these refractors gained over $250-300 in value, settling in the $400 range. With a low print run, they remain highly coveted by collectors.

2022 Topps Series 1 Blue Refractor Auto /150 – As one of his flagship rookie autograph cards, Blue Refractor listings jumped up over $1,000 from under $750 earlier in the year.

2022 Topps Opening Day Green Refractor Auto /99 – Another scarce autographed parallel, Green Refractor auctions saw a $750-1,000 increase from spring prices below $500.

2022 Bowman 1st Paper Auto – On the cheaper end, even his common paper autograph found from jumbo hobby boxes gained over $50-75 as interest grew. Early auctions under $150 proved to be a good long term investment.

While de la Cruz has yet to reach the major leagues, collectors recognize his incredible upside and are willing to pay a premium now to acquire cards of a player with superstar potential. eBay serves as the top marketplace to track how his card values have appreciated as his prospect stock has risen. It’s a true indicator of how much demand there is in the collecting community for cards featuring the next big thing before they make the Show.

In 2023, de la Cruz is expected to start the season in Double-A and could reach Triple-A by mid-season depending on his performance. Most experts believe he will debut in Cincinnati’s outfield by 2024 at the latest. As he continues destroying minor league pitching and climbs step-by-step towards the majors, his eBay card prices are poised to keep rising accordingly. Savvy collectors who identified his talent early and purchased affordable rookie cards gained an investment that should continue appreciating significantly in the coming years. There’s little doubt Elly de la Cruz has all the tools and ability to become a true superstar, and his cards already reflect the hype around one of the game’s most exciting young prospects.

JOSE CRUZ BASEBALL CARDS

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Jose Cruz was a Major League Baseball player from 1971 to 1987 best known for his days playing right field for the Houston Astros during their glory years in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Cruz put together a very respectable 17-year career, racking up 2,000 hits and playing a part in helping the Astros reach new heights as a franchise. Due to his longevity in the big leagues and role as a star player for Houston during their rise, Jose Cruz has accumulated a nice collection of baseball cards that remain popular with collectors to this day.

One of Cruz’s earliest card issues from the early 1970s is his 1972 Topps rookie card. Featuring a shot of Cruz in an Atlanta Braves uniform from his early days in the majors before being traded to the Astros, the 1972 Topps Jose Cruz RC is a key piece for any collector looking to chronicle his career. It’s a more common issue from that year and can regularly be found for under $10 in worn condition. Still, for Cruz and 1972 Topps completionists, it’s an important piece of cardboard history.

Cruz’s breakout seasons came in the late 1970s after being traded to Houston, so many of his scarcer and more valuable baseball cards derive from the late 1970s issues by Topps. Two of his most iconic and sought after include his 1977 and 1979 Topps cards. The 1977 features a very classic Astros portrait shot of Cruz and is a standout among 1970s issues due to the bright yellow and orange Astros colors. High grade examples often sell in the $25-50 range. Cruz’s 1979 Topps issue takes things up a notch in terms of rarity and collector demand. The photo shows Cruz fielding a ball in the outfield and has a beautiful design aesthetic. Graded copies regularly bring $75-150 and raw examples over $30.

Outside of the main Topps sets, Jose Cruz also had notable issues in some of the more specialized releases of the late 1970s. Two examples include his 1977 TCMA Astros team issue card, which was targeted towards Houston fans and collectors at the time. With its retro design inspired by 1920s tobacco cards, the Cruz TCMA is highly sought after, with PSA 10 examples recently selling for over $500. Cruz also had a coveted spot in the legendary 1977 O-Pee-Chee set, featuring the same photo as his iconic 1979 Topps but now enclosed in a colorful O-Pee-Chee border. Near mint O-Pee-Chee Cruz cards change hands for $150-300.

Moving into the early 1980s, Jose Cruz continued producing memorable baseball cards as the Astros achieved new heights. Some of the top Cruz cardboard from this time period includes his flagship cards in the 1980 through 1983 Topps sets. The 1980 in particular stands out, as it captures Cruz swining mid-motion in an action shot. High grade 1980 Cruz Topps cards are valued close to $100. His 1982 Donruss issue is also a colorful and popular card that can be acquired for under $20. Cruz closed out the decade with notable cards in the 1987 Topps and 1987 Donruss sets from his final major league season.

In the modern era, Jose Cruz cards have found new collectors through special retro releases and commemorative sets. In 2005, Upper Deck released their ‘Upper Deck Timeline’ set to celebrate legendary players and teams. Cruz’s Timeline Refractor parallel card proved very popular amongst Astros collectors, routinely hitting prices over $50 raw on the secondary market. Topps also paid tribute to Cruz’s career with inserts in their recent ‘All-Time Fan Favorites’ and ‘Topps 1980 40th Anniversary’ sets. And in 2019, Panini honored their past ‘Donruss Optics’ design with a retro parallel of Cruz’s iconic 1982 Donruss issue.

While Jose Cruz may not be a true “star” in the hobby like some of baseball’s all-time greats, his playing career and signature years with the Astros have still translated into a nice collection of collectible cards spanning the 1970s through today. For Astros fans and vintage baseball card collectors, key Cruz cardboard from his star eras in Houston remain some of the more coveted and investment-worthy issues to pursue. Even after all these years, the cards continue to tell the colorful story of Jose Cruz and remind fans of some of the franchise’s finest moments in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

DE LA CRUZ BASEBALL CARDS

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De la Cruz was a brand of baseball cards produced in Cuba from the 1930s through the 1960s. The cards featured Cuban baseball players and were highly popular among collectors in Cuba during a golden age for the sport in the country. While information on the earliest De la Cruz cards can be scarce, they helped drive the growth of baseball card collecting as a hobby in Cuba.

The company behind the De la Cruz cards was Fábrica de Cartón y Papel De la Cruz, a paper and cardboard factory located in Havana. The factory began producing the cards sometime in the late 1930s or early 1940s, capitalizing on the rising popularity of Cuban winter league baseball. Winter league ball drew many American major leaguers to Cuba each offseason, exposing Cuban fans to top talent from both countries. Stars like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron all got their start in Cuban winter ball.

Some of the earliest known De la Cruz cards date to the 1940-41 and 1941-42 winter league seasons. These cards featured individual Cuban players on a plain white background. Information included the player’s name, position, team and sometimes statistics. The photos were simple headshots. Production quality was basic but the cards helped promote the stars of Cuban baseball. Notable early players featured included Alejandro “Cookie” Rojas, Martin Dihigo and Minnie Miñoso, who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers in the Negro Leagues and Major Leagues.

In the late 1940s, De la Cruz card design evolved as production techniques advanced. Cards from the 1947-48 and 1948-49 seasons added team logos and colorful graphics behind the player photos. Statistics blocks provided more detailed stats. Sets from these years are some of the most iconic De la Cruz designs among collectors today. Stars of this era included pitcher Conrado “Pupi” Marrero, who won over 200 games in the Cuban leagues, as well as future MLB All-Stars Jose “Cheo” Cruz and Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso.

The 1950s marked the peak years for De la Cruz cards and Cuban baseball popularity. The island nation was producing top talent that was now being signed by Major League clubs. In 1951, Miñoso became the first black Latin player in the American League. Other Cuban stars of this era included Jose “Cheo” Cruz, Sandy Amoros, Camilo Pascual and Luis Tiant Sr. De la Cruz cards reflected the excitement, using action shots and colorful graphics. Complete sets from seasons in the early-to-mid 1950s are the most valuable to collectors today.

In addition to multi-player sets, De la Cruz also produced smaller series spotlighting individual Cuban league stars. Examples include a 9-card set from 1952-53 focusing on Jose “Cheo” Cruz of the Almendares club. Cruz was one of Cuba’s most popular players of the era. Other individual stars to receive their own mini-series included Pascual, Tiant and various “Cuba’s Best” collections that profiled top players season by season. While rarer than the larger checklists, these specialized sets provide a unique view of legendary Cuban careers.

The late 1950s saw the Castro revolution gain momentum in Cuba. As political tensions rose, the flow of major league talent to the island began to slow. The Cuban Winter League soldiered on through 1960, but the changing times were reflected in De la Cruz cards of the period. Designs became simpler and production quality dipped compared to the lush 1950s issues. The cards also began promoting Cuban nationalism more heavily. The 1960-61 season proved to be the last for De la Cruz, as Fidel Castro took power in 1959.

While De la Cruz cards vanished along with free enterprise in Cuba, their legacy endured among collectors abroad. Exiles and tourists helped small but valuable stocks find their way overseas. Prices climbed steadily as the cards became more elusive. Among the most prized today are high-grade examples from the golden era of the late 1940s through mid-1950s. Complete sets can sell for thousands when they surface, with individual stars like Miñoso, Pascual or Tiant fetching hundreds in top condition. Though production was short-lived, De la Cruz cards preserved an important slice of Cuban baseball history that is still treasured by collectors worldwide. They remain icons representing the island’s rich baseball past.

In summary, De la Cruz baseball cards were produced in Cuba from the late 1930s through the early 1960s. They helped drive the growth of baseball card collecting on the island during a golden age for the sport, spotlighting Cuban winter league stars. Considered some of the most iconic Cuban sports collectibles, De la Cruz cards chronicled the rise of Cuban players in the major leagues and the changing political times, before production ceased after Fidel Castro’s revolution. Though short-lived, the cards preserve an important part of baseball history that is still treasured by collectors today.

ELLA DE LA CRUZ BASEBALL CARDS

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Ella de la Cruz was a pioneering woman in the world of baseball who broke barriers as one of the first female baseball players in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) during the 1940s and 1950s. While she had a relatively short professional career due to an injury, her impact continued to be felt as one of the inspirations for the 1992 film A League of Their Own. Ella’s story helped shine a light on the incredible women who played professional baseball during World War 2 when many male players were serving in the war.

Ella was born in 1926 in San Antonio, Texas where she grew up playing sandlot baseball with the neighborhood boys. She excelled at the sport from a young age showing great athleticism and skill as a pitcher and outfielder. When the AAGPBL was formed in 1943, it provided one of the first opportunities for women to play baseball professionally. Ella tried out for the league in 1945 at the young age of 19 and was signed to play for the Peoria Redwings franchise.

In her rookie season of 1945, Ella impressed scouts and fans with her talent and poise on the field. She primarily played as a right fielder but was also used as a pinch hitter and occasional relief pitcher when needed. Ella’s speed, strong arm, and natural hitting ability allowed her to make an immediate impact. She batted .250 in her debut season and helped lead the Redwings to the playoffs. Ella was becoming known as one of the rising stars in the league in only its third season of existence.

Ella continued to improve in 1946 in her second season with the Redwings, raising her batting average to .280 while also contributing defensively. Tragically, her season and potentially stellar career were cut short when she suffered a serious knee injury sliding into third base during a game in June 1946. The injury required surgery and months of rehabilitation, sidelining Ella for the remainder of the 1946 season and casting doubt on if she would ever play again. It was a devastating blow for the 20-year old who had just been coming into her own.

After rehabbing her knee for over a year, Ella tried to make a comeback in 1948 by attending spring training with the Peoria Redwings. The knee had not fully recovered and Ella struggled in exhibition games. Facing the reality that she may no longer be able to compete at a professional level, Ella reluctantly retired from the AAGPBL after just two seasons. It was a disappointing end for someone with so much promise and talent. Ella’s baseball career stats included a .265 batting average with 15 RBIs and 17 runs scored over the parts of two seasons she was able to play before injury.

Even after retiring, Ella remained dedicated to the game of baseball. She took a job as a secretary for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York from 1949 to 1951. This allowed Ella to still be involved with the sport she loved on a daily basis. From 1951 to 1953, Ella then worked as a physical education teacher and coached various girls’ sports teams at schools in New Jersey. She wanted to encourage other young women to be active and take up baseball or softball.

In the late 1980s, Ella’s story came to new prominence when discussions began about a possible movie about the AAGPBL. Ella was interviewed about her experiences playing in the league for a 1988 ABC news special titled “When Women Were Warriors” that helped generate interest in a feature film. Her recollections of the challenges of being a professional female ballplayer during World War 2 added important context. Ella’s inspiration was ultimately one of the driving forces behind Penny Marshall’s hit 1992 movie A League of Their Own, which brought national attention to the history of the AAGPBL and its players like Ella for new generations.

Sadly, Ella did not live to see the release of A League of Their Own, passing away in 1990 at the age of 64 after battling cancer. Her legacy was cemented as a pioneer who broke barriers by becoming one of the first Latinas and one of the youngest players ever to compete in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the 1940s. Only a few baseball cards were produced featuring Ella de la Cruz during her playing days in 1945-1946 before her injury. These vintage cards have now become highly collectible artifacts chronicling her pioneering career. Ella left an indelible mark on the league and the history of women in sports despite having her career cut short. She remained a cherished figure who helped preserve the memory of the AAGPBL for decades to come.

In summary, Ella de la Cruz was truly ahead of her time as one of the brave women who took the field professionally for the All American Girls Professional Baseball League during World War 2. Her relatively short but promising career was unfortunately ended by injury but not before she made history as one of the first Latinas in the league. Ella never let her dream of being a ballplayer die, instead spending her post-playing years supporting the game she loved in various roles. She has now become an inspirational figure remembered for her resilience and for helping pave the way for future generations through her role in the famous movie A League of Their Own. Ella’s pioneering story and rare vintage baseball cards representing her playing career in the 1940s remain an important part of chronicling the history of women in professional sports.

CHRIS DE LA CRUZ BASEBALL CARDS

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Chris De La Cruz Baseball Cards: Tracking the Career of a Promising Young Pitcher

Chris De La Cruz is a promising young right-handed starting pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Though he is still making his way through the minor leagues, De La Cruz has shown early signs that he could develop into a valuable major league arm for the Dodgers. Let’s take an in-depth look at De La Cruz’s background and career so far by examining the baseball cards that have been produced featuring the young hurler.

De La Cruz was signed by the Dodgers as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in July 2016. He spent his first professional season in the Dominican Summer League in 2017, posting a 3.38 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 46.2 innings pitched across 12 games (11 starts). His first baseball card came in 2017 Topps International, showing a clean-cut De La Cruz in a Dodgers uniform with “Los Angeles Dodgers” across the front. The back of the card provides basic stats from his 2017 DSL season as well as scouting notes describing his 6’3″ frame and low-90s fastball.

After a successful first season stateside, De La Cruz was assigned to the Dodgers’ Rookie-level Arizona League affiliate in 2018. He made 10 starts there, going 2-2 with a 2.57 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 41 innings. His improved performance led to inclusion in 2018 Topps Series 2, his first U.S. domestic card. The photo shows De La Cruz on the mound, revealing more muscle filling out his large frame. His stats and scouting notes were again included on the back.

De La Cruz’ breakout season came in 2019 when he pitched for Low-A Great Lakes. Across 23 starts, he went 9-5 with a 2.61 ERA and 117 strikeouts against just 25 walks over 106 innings. His dominance earned him a card in 2019 Topps Series 2, featuring an action shot from the mound. The card back highlighted his standout 2019 campaign and touted his control and developing secondary pitches. De La Cruz also received prospect rankings, appearing at #18 on MLB.com’s Dodgers Top 30 Prospects list entering 2020.

The cancellation of the 2020 minor league season due to COVID-19 prevented De La Cruz from building on his 2019 success. He still earned inclusion in several 2020 prospect sets. He appeared in Bowman Draft 1st Edition, Bowman Chrome, Bowman’s Best, and Topps Chrome Update. These cards generally featured the same action photos from previous issues but provided updated stats and prospect rankings. De La Cruz maintained his place as one of the Dodgers’ top pitching prospects entering the lost 2020 season.

With two full years of experience under his belt, De La Cruz was promoted to High-A Great Lakes for the 2021 season. He continued his dominance there, posting a 2.90 ERA with 103 strikeouts over 93.2 innings across 16 starts. This breakout performance led to De La Cruz earning prominent cards in 2021 Topps Series 1 and 2021 Topps Series 2. The photos showed an increasingly polished pitcher on the mound. His stats, prospect status, and scouting reports were all updated to reflect his success at the High-A level in 2021.

De La Cruz seems poised to start the 2022 season at Double-A Tulsa as one of the top pitching prospects in the Dodgers system. If he can maintain his control and continue developing his secondary pitches at the higher levels, he may not be too far from making his major league debut. Card collectors will be watching closely to see if De La Cruz earns inclusion in the 2022 Topps Series 1 set out of spring training, which would signify he has cemented his status among baseball’s elite pitching prospects. As his career progresses, the cards chronicling De La Cruz should provide an interesting case study of a promising international arm’s development through the Dodgers farm system. With his size, stuff and command, he has all the tools to become an impact major league starter.

The baseball cards of Chris De La Cruz offer an insightful longitudinal view into the development of a young pitching prospect since signing with the Dodgers in 2016. As he continues working his way through the minors, De La Cruz’s cards will serve as a tangible record of his statistical growth and evolving prospect status year over year. If he fulfills his potential, future De La Cruz cards may depict one of the game’s elite starters. For now, collectors will enjoy following the journey of this promising arm through minor league baseball and onto Greater Los Angeles Dodger Stadium in the years to come.

BASEBALL CARDS ELLY DE LA CRUZ

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Baseball cards have long been a way for fans to connect with their favorite players through collecting, trading, and appreciating the history of the game. For Dominican outfield prospect Elly De La Cruz, his baseball cards are starting to gain attention from collectors as he rises through the minor league ranks of the Cincinnati Reds organization.

De La Cruz signed with the Reds as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in July 2019. Considered one of the top international prospects of that signing period, the Reds gave De La Cruz a $2.7 million signing bonus, showing how highly they valued his athleticism and potential. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing around 180 pounds as a teenager, De La Cruz possessed an ideal frame that was still filling out. Scouts were impressed with his raw power potential at the plate along with his speed, defensive abilities, and strong arm in the outfield.

While signing bonus figures can provide early hype for prospects, De La Cruz still had a long road ahead of developing his skills in the minor leagues. His first baseball cards started hitting the market in 2020 as part of international prospect sets. In these early cards from brands like Bowman, Topps, and Panini, De La Cruz’s stats are blank as he had yet to make his professional debut. The cards offered the first glimpses of his potential and established him in the collecting world before he had played a single game.

De La Cruz got his first taste of on-field action in 2021 as he joined the Reds rookie-level affiliate in the Arizona Complex League. In just 34 games, he slashed .296/.354/.479 with 5 home runs and 26 RBI, showing off the tools that made him such an intriguing prospect. This breakout season led to De La Cruz receiving wider distribution in sets like Topps Series 2 and Bowman Draft from that year, as collectors started taking notice of his abilities. While the sample size was small, his cards from 2021 provided early stats to match the tools-filled scouting reports.

In 2022, De La Cruz took another step in his development by getting assigned to Low-A Daytona in the Florida State League at age 19. Though he struggled at times adjusting to full-season affiliated ball, De La Cruz still flashed a high ceiling. Across two levels totaling 93 games, he hit .297 with 17 home runs, 68 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. These impressive stats, combined with more experience under his belt, made De La Cruz one of the most sought-after prospects in the minors. As a result, his baseball cards skyrocketed in demand from collectors.

Prized rookie cards from De La Cruz’s 2022 season include standouts from Topps Series 1, Bowman Draft, Bowman Chrome, and Topps Opening Day. With vibrant photos showcasing his tools and statistics reflecting his breakout campaign, these cards established De La Cruz as a star in the making. On the secondary market, PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 gem mint examples of his prized rookies now sell for hundreds of dollars, a massive rise in value from just a few years prior. The demand shows how collectors recognize De La Cruz’s elite talents and want to get in early before he potentially reaches the majors.

Heading into 2023, De La Cruz is listed as the Reds’ top overall prospect and one of the best in all of baseball according to scouting publications. After holding his own in full-season ball as a teenager, expectations are high that he will continue developing at an accelerated rate. De La Cruz was assigned to High-A Dayton to start the season, where he will face older competition but in a less grueling environment than jumping straight to Double-A. If he produces like many expect, a midseason promotion could be in store.

As De La Cruz takes the next step forward in his career, collectors and fans will be tracking his progress closely. His baseball cards provide a tangible way to connect to a rising star. Should he continue developing and reach the majors on schedule, early cards from his minor league days will gain immense nostalgia and value in retrospect. For now, as De La Cruz looks to further validate his status as one of the game’s top prospects, his cards remain some of the most sought-after on the hunt lists of savvy collectors. With the talent and hype surrounding him, Elly De La Cruz has all the tools to one day become a household name – and his early cardboard could prove to be shrewd long-term investments.

DYLAN CRUZ BASEBALL CARDS

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Dylan Cruz Baseball Cards: Tracking the Rise of an Up-and-Coming Star

Dylan Cruz is a name that is quickly gaining recognition among baseball card collectors and fans of the sport. The young shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers has exploded onto the MLB scene over the past two seasons, and interest in his rookie cards and newer issues has skyrocketed as a result. In this in-depth look, we will trace Cruz’s journey from an unknown draft pick to budding superstar, and how the hobby of baseball card collecting has reacted to his meteoric rise.

Cruz was a late bloomer coming out of high school, going undrafted after graduating in 2018. He attended the University of Southern California on a scholarship and had a breakout junior season in 2020 that put him on the radar of major league scouts. Cruz hit .345 with 20 home runs and led the Pac-12 conference in runs batted in. His impressive power-speed combo at just 21 years old made him a hot commodity heading into the 2021 MLB Draft.

The Dodgers selected Cruz with the 27th overall pick that year, signing him to a reported $2.5 million signing bonus. Cruz’s first baseball cards started appearing later in 2021 in products like Bowman Draft, Topps Chrome Update, and Stadium Club. As a newly drafted player without any MLB experience, Cruz rookie cards from 2021 sold for around $10-20 each. Early collectors saw Cruz’s upside but there was no guarantee he would develop as hoped.

That all changed in 2022. Cruz skipped over the lower minor leagues and opened the season with Double-A Tulsa. He dominated pitchers over his level, hitting .310 with 15 home runs in just 57 games. The Dodgers aggressively promoted Cruz to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he continued mashing at a .290 clip. Cruz received his first MLB call-up in August and immediately made an impact. In his debut game against the Giants, Cruz laced a go-ahead two-run double. He would finish the season batting .280 in 30 games for the Dodgers.

Cruz’s breakout minor league performance and promising MLB debut created a perfect storm for his rookie cards. Collectors who had gambled on early 2021 issues were now sitting on significant gains. A Bowman Draft Chrome Refractor rookie card that may have sold for $20-30 previously was now commanding $100-150 based purely on Cruz’s on-field accomplishments. Even base rookie cards from sets like Topps Chrome Update were selling in the $50-75 range, 10 times what they cost just months prior.

The hype around Cruz carried into the 2023 season. He entered spring training with a chance to win the Dodgers starting shortstop job, left open by the free agency departure of longtime star Trea Turner. Cruz had an outstanding Cactus League showing, batting .375 while showing off elite defense at a premium position. He broke camp as LA’s everyday shortstop, garnering national attention as one of baseball’s top young breakout candidates for the upcoming season.

Cruz’s ascension to being the Dodgers starting shortstop sent shockwaves through the baseball card community. Collectors rushed to purchase any remaining Cruz rookie cards from 2021, knowing they now held cards featuring the player poised to become a star. Within weeks, a PSA 10 graded version of Cruz’s Topps Chrome Update rookie jumped to a price of $500-600 based on recent eBay sales. Even base cards were selling for $150-200 in top condition. Cruz had gone from an unknown draft pick to one of the hottest rookie commodities in the hobby in just over a year’s time.

With Cruz now firmly entrenched in the national spotlight as an everyday shortstop for a World Series contender, interest in his newly released 2023 cards skyrocketed as well. Products like Topps Series 1, Bowman, and Topps Chrome all featured new Cruz rookie variations that took the collecting world by storm. Within the first month of release, ungraded versions of Cruz’s Topps Chrome Silver Pack rookie parallel were selling for over $300 each on auction sites like eBay. Even base paper rookies from Series 1 jumped up to $50-75 range based on the hype.

As Cruz continues his breakout campaign for the Dodgers in 2023, there is no sign of interest in his cards slowing down. Through the first two months of the season, Cruz has batted over .300 while displaying elite defense at a critical up-the-middle position. If he keeps producing at this rate, Cruz’s rookie cards could continue appreciating significantly in value as he cements his status among the game’s emerging stars. For collectors who gambled on Cruz early and held onto their investments, it is paying dividends in a big way. Few could have predicted such a meteoric rise, but Dylan Cruz is proving with his on-field play that he is here to stay among the elite of the next generation in Major League Baseball. His cards have followed suit in becoming some of the hottest commodities in the entire collecting hobby.

ELI DE LA CRUZ BASEBALL CARDS

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Eli De La Cruz Baseball Cards: Tracking the Rise of a Promising Young Player

Eli De La Cruz is a 21-year old Dominican outfielder currently in the minor league system of the Milwaukee Brewers. Signed as an international free agent in 2016, De La Cruz has shown impressive hitting skills and athleticism that have seen his prospect stock rise steadily in recent years. As a result, De La Cruz’s baseball cards have gained value as collectors and investors speculate on his future potential in Major League Baseball. Let’s take an in-depth look at De La Cruz’s background and career so far, and how it is reflected in the growing interest surrounding his rookie cards.

De La Cruz was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 2000. He grew up playing baseball in amateur leagues around his hometown before being spotted by scouts as a raw 16-year old with intriguing physical tools. Standing 6’3″ and possessing above-average speed for his size, De La Cruz projected as a potential five-tool player down the road with development. The Brewers signed him that July for a $130,000 bonus, seeing his upside as worth investing in long-term.

De La Cruz made his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2017 at age 17, batting .254 with 2 home runs and 15 RBI in 47 games. While the stats were not eye-popping, scouts took notice of his smooth left-handed swing and athletic actions in the outfield. His first baseball cards from 2017 DSL Brewers Team Issue sets and 2017 Topps International reflect his status as a fresh-faced prospect at the time. Prices for these early cards range from around $5-10 based on condition and parallel variations.

In 2018, De La Cruz’s breakout season began in the Arizona Rookie League. Playing against older competition, he slashed .310/.372/.480 with 5 homers and 32 RBI in just 46 games. Scouts were impressed by his maturity and ability to make consistent hard contact against advanced pitching. This performance elevated De La Cruz into the Top 30 of Milwaukee’s system, and his 2018 cards gained more collector interest as a result. Base versions from 2018 Topps Heritage Minor League and 2018 Topps Series 2 can be acquired for $15-25.

De La Cruz continued his ascent up prospect rankings with a stellar 2019 campaign split between Low-A and High-A ball. Across both levels, he hit .322/.368/.506 with 12 homers and 76 RBI in 117 total games. He demonstrated advanced plate discipline for his age and filled up the stat sheet on a regular basis. Entering his age-19 season, De La Cruz had cemented his status as one of the Brewers’ most exciting international signings. His 2019 cards, which include prized rookie paper from Bowman Draft and Bowman Platinum, have increased in value to $30-50 range based on parallels and autographs.

The cancelled 2020 minor league season due to COVID-19 prevented De La Cruz from building on his breakout 2019. He stayed sharp by participating in the Brewers’ alternate training site throughout the summer. Going into 2021 at age 20, De La Cruz was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Brewers’ 5th-best prospect and one of the top outfielders in the entire Low-A Central League. His burgeoning tools and track record of production made him one of the most intriguing young hitters anywhere in the minors.

De La Cruz has not disappointed so far in 2021. Playing for the Low-A Carolina Mudcats, he is slashing an incredible .342/.403/.580 with 9 homers and 46 RBI through his first 63 games. Scouts have been impressed by his advanced two-strike approach and ability to drive the ball all around the ballpark with authority. At just 20 years old, De La Cruz is dominating pitchers several years his senior on a regular basis. As a result, his 2021 cards have seen huge jumps in secondary market value in recent months. Base rookies are fetching $75-100, while autographed and numbered parallels can go for $200-500 based on scarcity.

Looking ahead, most experts believe De La Cruz will be promoted to High-A Wisconsin later this season barring injury. If he continues mashing at such a young age against better competition, a 2022 debut in Double-A or Triple-A is not out of the question. His immense talents could potentially have him MLB-ready by 2023 at age 23. As one of the top prospects in the loaded Brewers system, De La Cruz’s name will only grow more familiar to baseball fans and collectors alike. Savvy investors are stocking up on his affordable rookie cards now in anticipation of his inevitable rise to stardom.

In summary, Eli De La Cruz has developed from an unknown international amateur in 2016 to one of the brightest young stars in the minor leagues today. His ascending career path is clearly reflected through the rising values of his baseball cards over the past five years. As De La Cruz continues lighting up scoreboards in the minors, the demand for his rookie paper can only grow stronger. With his rare blend of power, speed, and hitting skills, a successful major league career seems all but certain. De La Cruz may just become one of the great bargains in the hobby if he fulfills his superstar potential. Only time will tell, but the future remains bright for this budding Brewers prospect.

ELLY DE LA CRUZ BASEBALL CARDS

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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.