Tag Archives: panini

ARE PANINI BASEBALL CARDS WORTH BUYING

Leave a reply

Panini is a prominent sports card manufacturer that has been producing baseball cards since the late 1980s. Their cards offer collectors an alternative to the industry-leading Topps brand. When considering whether Panini baseball cards are worth purchasing, there are several factors collectors should weigh:

Licensing and player inclusion: One of the main advantages Topps has had historically is exclusive licensing deals with MLB, MLBPA, and individual players. This allows them to use team logos and player likenesses on their cards. Panini does not have the same licensing. While they can use player names, they cannot include team logos or uniforms. Instead, they will use headshots or action photos of players. This is a turnoff for some collectors who prefer the aesthetics of cards that include all branding elements. However, Panini has worked to secure deals with star players to include their autographs and memorabilia cards in sets. So some key players will be represented.

Product mix and set designs: Panini puts out a wide variety of baseball card products each year in different formats like packs, boxes, and albums. This provides many options at various price points for collectors. Their set designs tend to be colorful and graphic-heavy compared to Topps’ cleaner looks. Collectors will have different preferences on aesthetic styles. Panini also puts out niche product lines like High Tek and Inception that feature cutting-edge card designs some collectors really enjoy despite the licensing limitations.

Secondary market: Because Topps has the MLB exclusives, their flagship products from the past decades tend to carry stronger resale value long-term when prices are compared. Iconic Topps rookie cards from the 90s are worth far more than comparable Panini cards. Modern parallels and autographs from limited Panini sets can rival Topps in certain categories on the secondary market if the player ascends. Collectors focused more on immediate resale potential might favor Topps overall though.

Chase cards and autograph odds: Panini sets tend to feature more short-printed parallel and serially numbered insert cards than Topps as ways to add chase appeal. Their autograph and memorabilia card odds are also much lower overall compared to Topps. This makes big hits harder to pull but more exciting. Some collectors prefer the adrenaline rush of rarer chase cards even if odds are very low. It depends on individual collector’s motives and risk tolerance.

Cost comparison: On average, single packs, boxes and products from Panini will be priced lower than comparable Topps offerings. This makes their sets more affordable for collectors on a budget. While resale potential may not match Topps in the long-run, Panini cards can provide hobby enjoyment at a more accessible price level initially. Collectors that want to experiment with different brands at lower risk may have their entry point with Panini.

Whether Panini baseball cards are worth purchasing depends a lot on individual collectors’ personal preferences. The licensing limitations are a definite downgrade from Topps. However, Panini’s unique selling propositions like innovative designs, lower overall cost, and rarer chase cards provide hobby benefits that some collectors value. For budget collectors, variety seekers open to licensing issues, or people intrigued by Panini’s gambling card odds, their baseball sets could offer hobby satisfaction worth exploring. But Topps will likely remain the safer long-term investment choice for resale focused collectors. Overall, Panini provides a credible alternative brand in the baseball card marketplace.

ARE PANINI BASEBALL CARDS GOOD

Leave a reply

Panini is a popular trading card company that produces various sports card sets including basketball, football, soccer, and baseball cards. When it comes to Panini baseball cards specifically, there is a mixed opinion within the collector community as to how good their products are. Here are some of the key points to consider regarding Panini baseball cards:

In terms of quality control, Panini baseball cards are generally seen as being a step below the traditionally market leading cards produced by Topps. Some of the specific quality issues collectors have pointed to with Panini baseball cards include centering issues where the subject of the card is not perfectly centered on the card, issues with color variation between cards of the same player or design, and occasional printing flaws. While quality control is never perfect with any trading card manufacturer at mass production levels, Panini’s quality tends to be a little looser than Topps according to most analysts and serious collectors.

It’s important to note that quality control with Panini baseball cards has improved notably over the years as the company has gained more experience in the baseball card market. Issues are still more common than with Topps, but are not as rampant as they were when Panini first entered the baseball card scene. Most recent Panini baseball releases have quality levels that are acceptable, even if still a step below the standard Topps tends to meet. So while quality used to be a major criticism, it’s less of an issue these days depending on the specific set or product.

In terms of design and photography, Panini baseball cards tend to divide collectors. Some appreciate the more unique artistic designs and shots that diverge from the familiar poses you see in most Topps releases. Others find the photography on Panini cards to lack the polish and consistency of Topps. Since Panini does not have exclusive MLB licenses, their photography has to adhere to certain guidelines which can limit their creativity at times compared to Topps. Overall design quality varies set to set for Panini baseball cards.

Where Panini excels and has an advantage over Topps though is in securing major star autographed and memorabilia cards for inclusion in their sets. Because they do not have MLB licensing exclusivity, Panini is able to get involved in the lucrative autograph/relic market in a way Topps cannot always do as effectively. They frequently land major star autographs and game-used memorabilia that drive collector interest and demand. This area is a true strength for Panini baseball cards.

In terms ofcollector demand and subsequent resale value, Panini baseball cards tend to lag behind Topps once again. Topps remains the most recognizable and popular brand for sports cards, so identical cards from the two companies will often have Topps versions command a modest premium in the secondary market. The gap is closing as Panini gains more market share acceptance. And their top hits with major star autographs or relics can still have excellent long term collector demand. Rookie cards and stars of tomorrow from Panini also have potential to appreciate well, even if Topps versions start off with an advantage.

While Panini baseball cards will likely never fully surpass Topps for many serious collectors, they have made great strides in improving quality and design over the years. Where they excel substantially is in memroabilia and autograph insert chase cards due to their ability to cut deals without MLB licensing restrictions. For casual collectors or people looking for affordable autographs of current stars, Panini provides a viable alternative to Topps. Overall quality control and resale potential may be slightly lower on average than Topps, but Panini baseball cards offer competitive options that expanding collectors appreciate having available.

So in conclusion, are Panini baseball cards “good”? While they may not be preferred over Topps by all, they have garnered a solid place in today’s collectible baseball card market by improving quality, focusing on compelling inserts, and giving collectors enjoyable alternative products to pursue stars outside the Topps realm. For many people Panini baseball cards absolutely qualify as “good” additions to any collection and they shine strongest when they leverage inserts to land big star memorabilia or autographs.

WHAT ARE PANINI BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Panini first started producing baseball cards in 1998 as they sought to expand into the lucrative United States sports card market. Their initial baseball sets were met with some skepticism from collectors accustomed to the dominant producers like Topps, but Panini worked hard to earn collector trust in their product quality and attention to details fans enjoyed.

Some key things to know about Panini baseball cards include their unique chromographic printing process that provides vivid colors and sharp images on the cards. Panini was an early adopter of technology that enhanced trading card aesthetics. Their card stock also tends to be higher quality than some competitors, feeling thicker and more durable in collectors’ hands.

When it comes to the actual content of the cards, Panini aims to provide fans with popular players, current stats, and fun extras like serially numbered parallels and hit variants that excited the collector marketplace. Their photographer choices managed to land iconic shots that became favorites of many longtime baseball aficionados. Exclusive Panini athlete autographs and memorabilia cards also differentiated their offerings.

In the early 2000s, Panini released seminal sets like Courtside, Classics, Signature Stars, and Foundations that showcased the vintage and modern greats of America’s Pastime. Finishing and parallels within those sets set collection standards that other issuers tried to match. Panini invented “hit” subsets with low print runs that fueled chase allure in box-breaking.

As they gained more licensing deals, Panini expanded beyond the premier players into team-specific and league-wide releases. Their photographs and variations within sets for the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, and other MLB giants gathered eager, regionalized collector audiences. Holiday and patriotic-themed special editions around July 4th and Memorial Day also stoked hobby fervor.

By the late 2000s, Panini was a main pillar of the baseball card world. Exquisite Collections paid homage to historic on-field moments with exquisite emerald and diamond parallels. Galactic inserted cards into packs in dazzling, outerspace-inspired designs. In 2014, Panini obtained the coveted MLBPA license, allowing for authentic jersey and autographed relic cards of all current players.

This license elevated Panini to the top of the sportscard mountain, where they remain today producing licensed sets alongside Topps as the two preeminent producers. Modern Panini inserts like Mosaic, Prizm, and Flux borrowed from the NBA landscape but exploded in baseball popularity. Parallels within their mega releases like Prizm, Immaculate, and Contenders flaunt serial numbers of one, five or even singles.

Collectors seeking the rarest versions will break case after case attempting triples autos or 1/1 patches. Strategy guides proliferate online for the elaborate numbered systems within Panini’s season-long flagshiprelease schedules.And with social media, their downtown “Panini Party” release events at MLB ballparks became multimedia extravaganzas further glamorizing the thrill of the hobby hunt.

In 2021, Panini underscored its commitment to the game by launching unparalleled collections on historic anniversaries. For example, to mark Jackie Robinson’s 75th year in MLB and 100 Years of the Negro Leagues, Panini concocted opulent Archives sets chronicling those important milestones through elegant relic cards and rare autographs. Other sets like Unparalleled captured present-day superstars in groundbreaking acetate card designs.

As it nears 25 years in the baseball card market, Panini has undoubtedly cemented itself as one of the sport’s premier purveyors of collectibles alongside Topps. Their product innovation, painstaking licensed photography, and high production values continue tempting collectors to chase shimmering parallel variations and one-of-one holy grails well into the future. Panini’s love and respect for baseball shows in each and every card they craft, keeping the hobby vibrant for devoted fans worldwide.

ARE PANINI BASEBALL CARDS WORTH IT

Leave a reply

The Panini trading card company first started producing baseball cards in 1987 as competition to Topps, the long dominant brand in the baseball card market. Since then, Panini has released many sets each year and grown to be one of the top three baseball card manufacturers along with Topps and Leaf. Whether Panini baseball cards are worth purchasing really depends on your individual goals as a collector and what you find valuable in a trading card product. Let’s take a deeper look at some key considerations around Panini baseball cards.

From a resell and collector value standpoint, Panini baseball cards generally have lower desirability and prices compared to equivalent cards from Topps’ flagship sets. This is largely because Topps has been the exclusive MLB license holder for decades and their cards are seen as the official MLB issue by most vintage collectors and traders. Panini does have MLB licensing agreements but their sets are still viewed more as alternatives to Topps by the hardcore collecting community. As a result, common Panini player cards from recent years often have resale prices of $1-3 each even for stars, while comparable Topps rookies or parallels could fetch $5-10.

However, Panini does offer various products that are harder to find from Topps. Their immaculate collection box loads for example contain rare 1/1 patch autographs that collectors covet due to their exclusive, one-of-a-kind nature. Some of these 1/1 parallels have broken auction records in the thousands of dollars. Panini also licenses certain leagues like Nippon Pro Baseball that Topps does not cover. For fans of international players, their cards from sets like Korean Baseball Cards or Macoto Cobras can satisfy niche collecting interests better than Topps.

In terms of base card design quality, Panini has made major improvements over the years but their photostat issues still do not match the crisp, clear printing that Topps is known for. Many Panini cards especially from lower end retail sets exhibit faded colors, off-centered images, and production flaws. This diminishes their appeal for collectors focused more on aesthetics than autos/relics. However, Panini’s premium releases like IMPACT and Court Kings do feature sharp photography comparable to high-end Topps products.

Panini offers collectors more affordable entry points into the hobby compared to some premium Topps sets too. A blaster box of DONRUSS football or PRISM basketball can give fans a fun rip experience for $20-30, versus spending $100+ on a hobby jumbo box to try and pull parallels and memorabilia from Topps’ Flagship brands. For casual collectors on a budget, Panini provides viable cheaper alternatives to accumulating larger player collections.

Lastly, one advantage of Panini cards is the wide breadth of sports they cover beyond just baseball. From soccer stars in WORLD CUP to NBA rookie phenoms in HOOPS, their various properties allow collectors to build diverse player portfolios spanning multiple leagues for potentially greater long term value. While Topps still leads in America’s favorite sports, Panini gives collectors more variety and opportunities to invest in emerging global games too.

Whether Panini baseball cards specifically are worth purchasing depends a lot on your collecting preferences, budget, and investment timeline. Their low end products are best for casual collecting, while high end releases offer better chances at valuable hits. Common Panini cards won’t hold value like Topps long term, but they provide opportunities to acquire rarer parallels and more affordable entry points. For collectors who enjoy player diversity across sports, Panini’s choices beyond just baseball can add value as well compared to a singular Topps focus. An openness to both Panini and Topps overall gives any collection more breathing room to develop over the long run.

ARE PANINI PRIZM BASEBALL CARDS WORTH IT

Leave a reply

Panini Prizm baseball cards have grown significantly in popularity over the past few years. Panini gained the exclusive baseball card licensing rights in 2020 after rival Topps had held the monopoly on official MLB cards for decades. This sent many collectors searching for the new Prizm products as the shiny retro designs and parallel coloured parallels became popular chasing cards. Whether Panini Prizm baseball cards are ultimately “worth it” depends on several factors. Let’s examine the pros and cons in depth:

On the positive side, Panini Prizm baseball cards offer collectors some exciting designs and innovative features that have energized the hobby. The retro style aesthetics with colorful borders and bright refractors emulate the look of vintage 1980s and 90s baseball cards that many grew up collecting. This has attracted both new and returning collectors who find the designs nostalgic and visually appealing compared to some of Topps’ more minimalist recent offerings. Additionally, Panini loads their products with short printed parallels and serial numbered cards that fuel the “chase.” Finding rare 1/1 parallel pulls provides a thrill of excitement.

Panini also provides more exclusive rookie card options compared to Topps. Rather than just a single base rookie card, Panini releases various parallel and memorabilia versions of top prospects that can hold more value long term. Examples include Luis Robert’s prizm refractors or Wander Franco’s autographed patches. Having more variability in rookie cards, especially for stars, gives collectors more population control options to consider. The increased competition in the baseball card market has also led to Panini experimenting with new technologies, like their Superfractor parallel featuring embedded NFT tokens with on-chain verification. Such innovations could maintain collector interest and engagement over the long run.

On the flip side, there are also some questions about whether Panini Prizm baseball cards will retain or increase in value as significantly as the vintage brands from Topps. Since Panini is a newcomer to the baseball card scene, long-term data on the resale value fluctuations of their modern cards does not yet exist. Without the same extended track record that Topps holds, particularly for the pre-1980 era sets, Panini baseball cards may prove riskier investments that are subject to greater speculation and volatility. There are no guarantees that today’s “hits” will command top dollar years from now.

Quality control issues have been concerns with Panini products. Many collectors have complained about problems like poor centering, visible print lines, bends or dents even in premium high-end releases. Subpar construction risks damaging cards and hurting secondary market appeal over time for graded gems. The lack of a PSA or BGS partnership also means fewer cards will receive third-party authentication that commands a premium above raw cards in the long run.

Supply and demand fundamentals in the wider industry also pose a question mark. The baseball card market has seen explosive interest and price gains in recent bull years. But relying on increasing speculation and number of new entrants to the hobby to drive future returns is questionable. Should macro conditions change or the fad fade, sales of unlicensed or less established brands may see steeper price corrections. This supply/demand cycle risk also extends to the high-end parallels and short prints that Panini structures their models around.

Intellectual property matters cloud long-term outlooks. Panini only has the MLBPA player rights deal, not an agreement directly with MLB or any single team. If those underlying agreements lapsed or were lost to another company, it could potentially impact fan interest levels and secondary prices over the long haul. Cards without league or club marks may hold less appeal.

While Panini Prizm baseball cards offer exciting new designs, technologies and collector product features in the short run that have energized the current market, their ability to retain value or appreciate significantly over decades is less certain compared to the tested vintage brands. Quality control, lack of authentication partners, reliance on speculation and macro risks all dim their long-term prospects relative to proven leaders like Topps. For short-term fun, their cards can certainly be “worth it”, but they may not prove the safest investments without a longer proven track record. Savvy collectors will likely want to balance Panini with Topps in their long-term holdings.

2022 PANINI CHRONICLES BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2022 Panini Chronicles baseball card set was released on January 25th, 2022 and contained a variety of insert cards showcasing the past, present, and future stars of Major League Baseball. As the follow up to their successful 2021 release, Panini delivered another well designed set that incorporated retro styling with fun photographic cards to excite collectors both young and old.

In its sixth year as one of Panini’s flagship baseball releases, Chronicles has grown to become highly anticipated yearly release amongst enthusiasts. The base cards once again featured a simple yet classic look with team logos and player names on a simple white bordered design. Ranging in parallels from the standard base to shinier prizm and spectrum variants, collectors had plenty of choices to track down their PC guys at different levels.

Rookies remained a major highlight as fans could chase stars of tomorrow like Bobby Witt Jr, Adley Rutschman, Julio Rodriguez and more in their major league uniforms for the first time ever on cardboard. Panini did well incorporating snapshots that captured the excitement of these players joining the big leagues along with fun action shots showcasing their athletic talents. Rookie cards in Chronicles maintained strong resale value in the secondary market.

The veteran collection was just as strong with legends from across eras represented including Hank Aaron, Mike Piazza and Juan Soto. Panini did well selecting photos that honored their accomplishments both on and off the field. For example, a Hank Aaron card showed him in his later years at an award ceremony paying tribute to his illustrious career.

In continuing their retro style, Panini incorporated various inserts calling back to specific seasons over baseball’s rich history. Their “Diamond Kings” paralleled the classic 1968 Topps design while “Chronicles Classics” mimicked 1972 and 1975 Topps styles among others. Popular insert sets like “Triple Threads” focusing on triple relics of the same player and “American Originals” honoring iconic stars were included as well.

Fan favorite “Flawless” stayed as one of the premier insert sets offering 1/1 printing plates. “Downtown” showed player headshots on a flashy neon colored backdrop perfect for anyone collecting modern parallels. “Cutouts” created unique silhouettes of current players. Overall the insert variety allowed collectors to build sets within the larger set or focus on specific chase cards.

As in years past, robust autograph and memorabilia cards provided premium hits for those buying higher end boxes or packs. “On Card Autographs”, “Dual Autographs” and “Triple Relics” made for some exciting pull possibilities. Rarer 1/1 autograph parallels kept the high-end exciting with potential six figure paydays for special signed rookie cards. Memorabilia cards incorporated unique pieces of jerseys, bats and more to thrill collectors.

Panini Chronicles gave collectors another fun filled year chasing current stars, beloved veterans and future phenoms on a classic designed release. While base cards provided budget options, high-end parallels, autographs and memorabilia inserted ensured exciting chase for those investing more heavily in the modern hobby. Between the retro styling, fun photos and robust selections at various collector levels, Chronicles continues establishing itself as one of the premier baseball releases each winter. With its widespread popularity amongst both casual and serious collectors, 2022 Panini Chronicles proved once again why it remains a major pillar in the yearly card calendar.

2022 PANINI PRIZM BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2022 Panini Prizm Baseball set marks the 10th anniversary of one of the most popular and valuable modern baseball card releases each year. Panini Prizm has become a staple in the hobby due to its flashy ‘prizm’ design parallels, prospect hits, and superstar rookies cards that consistently gain value over time.

Released in late July/early August each year, the 2022 Panini Prizm Baseball set Base cards feature exciting ‘prizm’ refractors in color cracked ice, pink ice, green ice, and orange ice variants that make the cards really pop on card shelves and in collectors’ boxes. The base set checklist includes over 350 total cards and highlights top rookies and stars from both the Major and Minor Leagues. Some stand-out base cards include Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez, Shane Bieber, Rafael Devers, Juan Soto, and Ronald Acuna Jr.

In addition to the ‘prizm’ design in the base set, Panini also includes several exclusive parallel insert sets that are huge draws for collectors. The ‘Orange’ parallel /50 and ‘Green’ /75 parallels are relatively easy pulls but very desirable at lower print runs than the base cards. Higher-end ‘Purple’ /25, ‘Yellow’ /10, and ‘Red’ /5 parallels become extremely valuable based on the player and scarcity. Top rookie parallels can sell for thousands.

Inbox ‘hits’ in retail wax boxes and hobby boxes include ‘Black’ 1/1 parallels that are true one-of-one autograph cards. These ultra-rare parallels naturally create immense buzz in the hobby. Lower print run ‘Auto’ parallels like Blue /99, Purple /25, and Yellow /10 also feature sought-after autographs of top MLB stars and prospects. Box ‘hits’ are the chase and what makes each box opening a thrill.

Beyond the base cards and numerous parallels, Panini each year includes an array of valuable insert sets in 2022 Prizm. ‘Fluorescence’ highlight key players at each position in cool refractors. ‘Spectrum’ contains exciting color match autos and patches of top names. ‘University’ and ‘Rookie Selection’ honor the best draft prospects before they make the Show. And ‘Foundation’ captures stars in a throwback uniform style.

Perhaps the most highly anticipated rookie cards in 2022 Panini Prizm are Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Strider, and Oneil Cruz. All four emerged as exciting call-ups this season and their rookie cards immediately generated buzz. Witt and Rodriguez in particular have posted huge numbers right away and become breakout stars, making their flagship rookie cards extremely valuable investments at the moment and likely to appreciate further over time.

Released in late July/early August each year, hobby enthusiasts and investors tear into cases of 2022 Panini Prizm at lightning speed looking to pull the top rookies and hottest parallels. With dazzling design parallels and key rookie card gems, Prizm brings excitement to the cardboard collecting world each summer and fall. Whether completing rainbow sets of stars or chasing rare autographed parallels in every box, Panini Prizm Baseball delivers the goods yet again for its milestone 10th anniversary release in 2022. This set is sure to be one of the most collected modern issues as time passes and another generation of fans discovers the thrill of Panini Prizm Baseball cards.

BEST 2021 PANINI DRAFT PICKS BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2021 Panini Draft Picks baseball card set featured prospects selected in the 2020 MLB Draft. While some of these players have yet to make their professional debuts, the set highlights many of the top talents that teams hoped could one day contribute at the major league level. With the unpredictability of player development, not every name will pan out as expected. Here are some of the best rookie cards from the 2021 Panini Draft Picks set that could prove to be valuable long-term holdings based on the prospects’ draft pedigree and skill set.

Spencer Torkelson – Detroit Tigers (1st Overall Pick): As the top selection in the 2020 draft, Torkelson was virtually a consensus choice as the best college hitter available. Playing for Arizona State, he slashed .337/.443/.729 with 27 home runs as a junior to cement his status as the top draft-eligible player. Torkelson has all the tools to be a perennial All-Star, with his ability to hit for both power and average his carrying tool. His card is the most coveted from the set as he is poised to be the future cornerstone of the Tigers’ lineup.

Austin Martin – Toronto Blue Jays (5th Overall Pick): Many had Martin rated as the best all-around player in the entire 2020 draft class. He put up incredible stats as a junior at Vanderbilt, hitting .377 with a .486 on-base percentage while providing plus defense up the middle. Martin’s 5-tool ability and high baseball IQ give him All-Star upside. He has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone for the Blue Jays once he reaches the majors.

Nick Gonzales – Pittsburgh Pirates (7th Overall Pick): Gonzales did nothing but produce during his three years at New Mexico State, culminating in a video game-like 2020 season where he slashed .448/.599/.908 with 15 home runs in just 23 games. He has one of the best pure bats in the 2020 draft and showed no weakness in his collegiate performance. Gonzales could be an impact middle of the order hitter if he continues developing as expected.

Robert Hassell III – San Diego Padres (8th Overall Pick): As one of the top high school bats in the 2020 class, Hassell showed an advanced approach at the plate with impressive raw power potential. He has the tools to develop into a true five-tool player at the top of the Padres’ order for years to come. Hassell’s combination of youth, upside, and landing spot with a perennial contender make him an intriguing long-term hold.

Emerson Hancock – Seattle Mariners (6th Overall Pick): The top college pitching prospect available in 2020, Hancock dominated as the Friday night starter at Georgia. He possesses three plus pitches with command of all his offerings. His combination of stuff and polish out of the draft give him a high floor. As one of the headliners of the pitching class, Hancock was a great selection for the Mariners who need impact arms. He could develop into a future #2 starter.

Garrett Mitchell – Milwaukee Brewers (20th Overall Pick): Mitchell turned heads with his five-tool skill set as an outfielder at UCLA. He has the speed, power, and defensive abilities to stay in center field long-term. While he may not have the name recognition of some other high picks, Mitchell is a very safe bet to develop into a regular at the major league level. His combination of tools and high-floor profile make him a solid long-term prospect pick.

Zac Veen – Colorado Rockies (9th Overall Pick): As one of the top prep bats on the board, Veen showed impressive raw power from the left side to go along with a promising hit tool. He has the athleticism and instincts to stick in center field long-term. Veen’s combination of power, speed, and upside made him a great selection for the Rockies, who need impact position players in their system. He has the potential to be a cornerstone if development goes according to plan.

Ed Howard – Chicago Cubs (16th Overall Pick): The Cubs landed one of the top high school shortstop talents in Howard with their first round selection. He has the defensive skills and athleticism to stick at a premium position. Offensively, Howard has the chance to be an impact hitter as well with his raw power and bat speed from the right side. His combination of tools and landing spot with a well-regarded development organization like the Cubs gives him a high ceiling.

Tyler Soderstrom – Oakland Athletics (26th Overall Pick): As one of the top catching prospects in the 2020 class, Soderstrom showed impressive offensive abilities from the left side in high school. He has the chance to be an impact hitter from a premium defensive position. Landing with a shrewd organization like the A’s bodes well for his long-term development. Soderstrom has the upside of a future All-Star caliber catcher.

Cade Cavalli – Cincinnati Reds (22nd Overall Pick): The Reds landed one of the top arms on the board in Cavalli, who dominated as the Friday starter at Oklahoma. He possesses a plus fastball and slider with the makings of at least three quality pitches. Cavalli has the ceiling of a future #2/#3 starter if he continues refining his command. His combination of stuff and landing with a team that develops arms well makes him a great long-term pitching prospect.

Bryson Stott – Philadelphia Phillies (14th Overall Pick): Stott was the top college hitter still available when the Phillies selected him in the middle of the first round. He did nothing but produce offensively and defensively at shortstop for UNLV. Stott has a polished bat from the left side with the chance to hit for both power and average. His high floor profile and landing with a contender gives him a good chance to develop into an everyday player.

While prospect development is unpredictable, the 2020 draft class featured many players with the upside to be franchise cornerstones. The top names selected like Torkelson, Martin, and Gonzales have the highest ceilings. But prospects throughout the first round like Mitchell, Veen, Howard and more provide opportunities for long-term value. For those betting on upside and landing spots, cards from the 2021 Panini Draft Picks baseball set could prove to be worthwhile investments down the road.

2021 PANINI PRIZM BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

Leave a reply

The 2021 Panini Prizm baseball set featured many rookie cards and parallels of top prospects that have skyrocketed in value since the cards were released last year. Panini Prizm is one of the hottest modern card brands on the market known for its flashy refractors and colorful parallels. The 2021 edition contained several prizes that are now worth significant money for savvy collectors.

One of the biggest risers has been Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco’s prizm rookie cards. Considered a can’t-miss superstar, Franco debuted in 2021 and had an incredible season that affirmed his status as a future perennial All-Star. His most sought-after rookie card is the base prizm which has reached upwards of $300 in top-graded PSA 10 condition. Even raw and lower-graded copies in PSA 8 or 9 condition sell for $100-200 now.

Prizm also inserts special parallels like silver prizms, greens, blues, and reds that are serially numbered to appeal to collectors. Franco’s silver prizm rookie /99 has reached over $1000 raw while elite PSA 10 copies command $3000-4000. His blue prizm /50 and red prizm /10 rookies sell for even higher premiums in the thousands of dollars each due to their extreme rarity and status as coveted gem mint collectibles.

Rays teammate and fellow standout rookie Shane Baz has also seen huge increases in his prizm cards. While not as heralded as Franco initially, Baz’s breakout late season performances cemented his status as a future ace. His prizm base rookie sells for $50-100 across all grades, with a PSA 10 reaching as high as $250 currently. Baz’s silvers, greens, and numbered parallels follow a similar valuation scale to Franco based on parallel and serial numbering rarity.

Detroit Tigers flamethrowing pitcher Tarik Skubal burst onto the scene in 2021 with impressive strikeout totals. His prizm rookie cards gained traction and sell in the $25-50 range across all grades raw, with a PSA 10 reaching the triple digit price point around $150-200. Skubal’s color prizms like silvers and greens command higher prices in the $50-100 range based on serial numbers and demand from Tigers fans excited for their future ace.

Looking past rookies, the 2021 Panini Prizm set featured the return of Giants catcher Buster Posey, who opted out of the 2020 season but came back for one more year before retiring. With his legendary career culminating, Posey prizm cards spiked in popularity and value. His base prizm sells for $10-25 raw across grades but a gem mint PSA 10 can fetch up to $100 now from dedicated Posey collectors commemorating his career.

Evaluating the long term potential and performance of rookie players seems to be key to determining which 2021 Panini Prizm cards hold significant value. Superstar talents like Franco and emerging standouts like Baz, Skubal are driving prices much higher than issue for their prizms as collectors speculate on long term upside. Meanwhile, career-culminating insert cards of stars like Posey also gain admiration and worth over time. The 2021 class appears to hold many hits still rising in value after just one year.

2020 PANINI BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 2020 Panini baseball card set was highly anticipated by collectors. 2020 marked Panini’s sixth year as the exclusive licensed baseball card manufacturer after taking over from Topps in 2015. Panini had continued to refine and improve their baseball card production in the years since, building excitement for each new release.

Some key things to know about the 2020 Panini baseball card set going into the year:

Rookie class – The 2020 rookie class was considered one of the strongest in recent memory, headlined by prospects like Luis Robert, Cristian Pache, and Gavin Lux. This pumped up interest in chasing rookie cards from the set.

Design changes – Panini typically tweaks the designs each year and 2020 was no different. The front of the base cards featured a clean look with the player image filling most of the space. The backs contained good information content for collectors.

Parallels and inserts – Panini loads their sets with various parallels and short-printed insert cards to add to the chase. In 2020, popular parallels included Camo, Sparkle, and Gold Foil among others. Key inserts focused on Hall of Famers, top prospects, and milestones.

Hobby vs retail – As with other sports, the hobby version of Panini baseball cards offered the best products with better parallels and autograph odds. The retail version sold in big box stores had lower-end materials and incentives.

Autographs and memorabilia – Top rookies and stars were the chase for autographs, mem cards, and 1/1 rarities across hobby boxes, blasters, and hangers. Panini delivered some highly desired autographed rookie cards.

Print runs – Panini baseball cards had lower print runs than Topps, keeping collector interest high year-over-year. More scarcity always drives up enthusiasm and resale prices long-term.

When the 2020 Panini baseball cards finally reached the market in late winter/early spring, the reception was quite positive overall:

Base design praised – The clean, player-centric base card fronts got many favorable reviews. Backs provided good stats too. Color schemes meshed well set to set.

Parallels delivered – Fan favorites like Camo, Sparkle, and Gold parallels added hits across most products. Short-prints kept the hunt exciting across many boxes broken.

Inserts scored – Top Prospects, Hall of Famers, Milestone Moments, and more inserts spotlighted key collectors’ areas of interest.

Rookies shined – Autographs, base rookies, and color parallels of young standouts Robert, Pache, Lux, and others drove early hobby excitement levels.

Memorabilia cards popped – Dual relics, patch autos, 1/1 versions of new stars fueled breaks online. Some major hits emerged out of Blaster/Hanger packs too.

Autograph probability praised – Hobby boxes, though expensive, increased the odds of pulling an autograph versus previous years. Made the price point a little more palatable.

Retail roundup – Blasters/Hangers provided affordable fun hunts. Though parallels fewer, still found many sought-after rookies for collectors on budgets.

Overall, Panini delivered a strong 2020 baseball card set that collectors seemed to really enjoy. The product timing was not ideal with the COVID-19 pandemic hitting just as the cards came out. But looking past the initial distribution issues caused by shutdowns, the designs, parallels, inserts, rookies, and autographs all aligned well with collector enthusiasm. This helped propel resale demand and provided money cards that hold value today. The 2020 set served as another step forward for Panini as the exclusive MLB licenseholder.