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TOP BASEBALL CARDS RIGHT NOW

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The baseball card market can be a lucrative hobby for collectors and investors alike. While cards from the 1950s and earlier eras still hold tremendous value, today’s game offers new opportunities to find the next rookie phenom or star player who will be remembered for generations. With modern technology and social media expanding the sport’s popularity worldwide, interest and demand for current baseball cards remains high.

Some of the most sought-after baseball cards right now feature young superstars who are just beginning to make their mark. Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani constantly wows fans with his mastery of both pitching and hitting. The 27-year-old Japanese sensation is still early in his MLB career but is already cementing his status among the game’s elite. Ohtani’s 2018 Topps rookie card in particular has been a hot commodity, as it was issued during his AL Rookie of the Year and MVP campaign. Graded mint condition versions regularly sell for well over $1,000 as collectors bet on Ohtani’s continued success elevating his long-term card values.

Another rookie phenom generating huge card interest is Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. At just 21 years old, Rodriguez battled his way onto the AL All-Star team in 2022 by showing off elite five-tool talents that have excited scouts since he was a teenager. Like Ohtani in 2018, Rodriguez’s Topps rookie cards issued this season are considered prized possessions. With his combination of youth, star potential, and Mariners fandom on the rise in the Pacific Northwest, J-Rod’s cardboard could appreciate significantly in the coming years. Even his less valuable base rookies trade hands for $100-200 raw.

Continuing the young star theme, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. still holds tremendous appeal despite missing much of the past two seasons with injury. The 24-year-old was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2018 and seemed primed for an MVP campaign in 2021 before tearing his ACL. Acuña’s 2018 Topps Update Series rookie auto patch cards are some of the most iconic and investment-grade cards of the modern era, with PSA 10 grades valued near $10,000. Even more affordable Acuña rookies from 2018 Topps Series 1 and Series 2 sell briskly on the secondary market. There is little doubt the “Baby Braves” star will soon reclaim his place among baseball’s elite, taking these elite cards up with him.

Moving beyond young stars, legendary career performances are also well-represented in today’s hot rare cards. New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge just broke the AL record with 62 home runs and is now a legitimate AL MVP candidate. The 30-year-old’s career is only getting started, and collectors rushed to acquire any of his Topps Update Series cards featuring career milestones from the magic ’62’ season. Likewise, St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols smacked his 700th career home run this year at age 42, showcasing his continued excellence in a career sure to land him in the Hall of Fame. Pujols rookies and key numbered parallels like Topps Chrome from 2001 remain among the most coveted vintage cards on the market.

Perhaps no active player commands respect among collectors quite like Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. The soon-to-be 35-year-old left-hander is already mentioned among the greatest pitchers of all time, with a resume that currently boasts an ELITE 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 3.39 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the playoffs across 74 innings. Kershaw’s 2008 Topps Chrome rookie refractor parallel # /150 moved for over $10,000 graded MINT in recent years. Even his affordable 2011 Topps Update Series cards, which captured his second Cy Young award, remain highly sought. With a strong postseason still possible before he rides off into the sunset, Kershaw cards seem poised to rise further.

Turning to international stars, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues representing the new wave exciting Dominican talent. Since debuting as a highly-touted 19-year-old in 2019, Vladdy Jr. has established himself as one of MLB’s most complete hitters. The 23-year-old third baseman’s 2019 Topps Chrome autographs and rookie parallels move briskly in today’s hot trading market. Collectors are eager to snatch up cards from Guerrero’s early career days, banking he has multiple All-Star and MVP caliber seasons still ahead. His father Vladimir Sr. also remains incredibly well-remembered among collectors two decades after retiring, as his spectacular career numbers at a young age live on through beloved Expos cards from the late 1980s and early 90s.

Investing in stars on contending teams offers another avenue to success in the modern card market. This includes Milwaukee Brewers pitching ace Corbin Burnes, who took home the 2021 NL Cy Young award. His myriad 2021 Topps Update Series ‘Cy Young Corner’ cards command big prices. Meanwhile, Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez owns an MVP-caliber bat at just 25 years old that helps power one of MLB’s elite lineups year after year. Alvarez’s 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto parallel cards could multiply in value enormously if he maintains sustained excellence deep into this decade.

Focusing on young superstars, modern milestones, international phenoms and players integral to championship hopefuls offers a smart strategy for acquiring the baseball cards most likely to appreciate significantly over the next 5-10 years. With strong demand driving today’s market and new stars continuously emerging, opportunities remain plentiful for collectors pursuing the next generation of investment-grade cardboard.

MOST POPULAR BASEBALL CARDS RIGHT NOW

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The baseball card collecting hobby has undergone several waves of popularity over the decades since the inception of traded cards in the late 1880s. Currently, there are a handful of cards and players that are highly sought after by collectors and driving significant interest and activity in the market. While iconic old cards like Honus Wagner and rookie cards of legends like Mickey Mantle will always hold prestige, today’s hottest cards tend to be recent issues featuring current stars and emerging talents.

One of the most noteworthy and widely collected cards on the market right now is the rookie card of Los Angeles Angels superstar and two-time American League MVP Mike Trout. Trout has established himself as arguably the best all-around player of his generation and continues to put up video game-like stats year after year. The 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Mike Trout rookie card in a PSA 10 Gem Mint is a true Holy Grail item, with ungraded copies selling in the low five-figure range and mint condition specimens fetching upwards of $400,000 at auction. Even lightly played and damaged Trout rookies still command four-figure prices. The unprecedented dominance and longevity of Trout’s career has created tremendous enthusiasm for collecting anything associated with his early years, and his rookie is perpetually one of the most expensive modern cards.

Another huge modern star whose cards attract immense interest is San Diego Padres superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis burst onto the scene in 2019 and has immediately established himself as one of the faces of MLB thanks to his electrifying all-around play and flair for the dramatic. High-grade versions of Tatis’ top rookie cards from 2019 Topps Chrome, Bowman Chrome, Bowman Platinum, and Chrome Update series are extremely difficult to acquire and can sell for $1,000-$5,000 depending on condition. Even beaten-up copies still move for hundreds. Experts believe the ceiling is untapped for Tatis cards as he continues building his career milestones and accolades, so his relics and memorabilia hold tremendous long-term potential.

Rookie cards for Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. also remain enormously popular. Acuña enjoyed a breakout 2018 season and became one of baseball’s brightest young talents before suffering a knee injury in mid-2021. Low-population parallels and autographs of Acuña’s 2018 Bowman Chrome and 2018 Topps Chrome rookie cards are highly coveted, with BGS/PSA 10 specimens commonly pushing $2,000-$5,000. As Acuña has yet to reach his full potential, the widespread expectation is that his cards will continue their bullish trajectory if/when he stays healthy and back to dominating on the field.

The wave of next-generation star power is also fueling interest in cards for players like Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux, Tampa Bay Rays wunderkind Wander Franco, and Seattle Mariners phenom Julio Rodriguez. Lux and Franco debuted in 2019 and immediately impressed with their hit tools and maturity, and each have several desirable rookie serials from that year’s Topps Chrome Update, Bowman Chrome, Bowman Platinum, and Stadium Club releases.Meanwhile, Rodriguez exploded onto the scene in 2021 after a blistering Arizona Fall League performance preceded a dazzling MLB debut. High-grade versions of his 2018 Bowman Chrome, 2019 Bowman Platinum, and 2021 Topps Chrome Update rookies catch big buyers’ attention. It’s obvious these three possess the skills to follow careers trajectories akin to Tatis, Acuña or Soto, making their early cards smart long-term portfolio pieces for collectors.

Pitching prospects like Dustin May of the Dodgers and Sixto Sanchez of the Marlins also hold appeal due to their electric stuff and playoff performances while still pre-arbitration age. May’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Auto /150 and Sixto’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Auto /99 are highly regarded cards that move briskly anytime they become available. Breakout seasons that showcased their frontline starter upside only raised enthusiasm for relics and serialed parallels from their formative years.

Veteran supersstars like Mike Trout, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ronald Acuña Jr continue reigning as the undisputed kings in terms of current hobby interest and record-breaking prices. The next wave of rising aces and sluggers like Gavin Lux, Wander Franco, and Julio Rodriguez have also sparked collector fervor with their early debut issues. And pitching prodigies Dustin May and Sixto Sanchez have collectors excited for their future potential too. With so many incredible young talents emerging today, and established icons like Trout in their primes, it’s an optimal time for engaged in the modern baseball card market.

BASEBALL CARDS HOT RIGHT NOW

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The baseball card market is always changing with certain players and years becoming more desirable and valuable over time. While legends from the past will always hold value, there are also modern players and sets that collectors are seeking out. Let’s take a look at some of the baseball cards that are considered especially “hot” in today’s market.

Shohei Ohtani (2021 Topps Chrome Refractor RC #162) – Ohtani has quickly become one of the most exciting and unique talents in baseball as a two-way star capable of pitching and hitting at an elite level. His rookie cards from 2021 Topps products have skyrocketed in value with the Chrome Refractor being at the top of the list. Fresh off an AL MVP season and still just 27 years old, Ohtani is cementing his status as a true generational talent and his rookies reflect that. PSA 10 examples of this card have sold for over $1000.

Juan Soto (2018 Topps Chrome RC #231) – Still just 23, Soto has already put together a resume that includes a World Series title, two Silver Sluggers and a batting title. As one of the game’s best young hitters, Soto’s rookie cards have plenty of upside as collectors anticipate big things still to come in his career. The 2018 Topps Chrome refractor is at the top of most want lists with a PSA 10 bringing in over $800 currently.

Ronald Acuña Jr. (2018 Topps Chrome RC #132) – Acuña burst onto the scene with a Rookie of the Year season in 2018 and has only continued to improve, showcasing five-tool talents. Like Soto, he’s still just 23 years old and will likely have a long, productive career ahead. His rookie cards reflect the excitement surrounding his potential, with the Topps Chrome refractor being the most sought after. A PSA 10 has sold for as much as $900.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2019 Topps Chrome RC #91) – The son of a Hall of Famer, Vlad Jr. lived up to the hype with an impressive debut in 2019. While injuries slowed him in 2021, he’s still just 22 and regarded as a future star in the making. As one of the most hyped prospects ever, his rookies hold value and the Topps Chrome refractor is considered his top card. PSA 10 examples have reached $650.

Fernando Tatis Jr. (2019 Topps Chrome RC #132) – Tatis burst onto the scene in 2019 with a Rookie of the Year caliber season and has only continued getting better. He’s one of the most exciting players in the game at just 23 years old and is a face of the sport. With Tatis’ star power and potential, his rookies remain hot commodities. The Topps Chrome refractor in a PSA 10 grade has sold for over $900.

Jacob deGrom (2010 Bowman Chrome RC #BDP45) – deGrom is establishing himself as one of the best pitchers of all time still in his prime at 33. He’s a two-time Cy Young winner who continues putting up video game numbers. For those who invested early, his rookie cards from 2010 Bowman are paying off. The super-short printed Chrome refractor has reached $1200 PSA 10.

Mike Trout (2009 Bowman Chrome RC #BCP70) – As the best all-around player of his generation, Trout’s entire card collection holds immense value but especially his ultra-rare rookies. The 2009 Bowman Chrome Refractor is the true holy grail, with PSA 10s selling for astronomical prices upwards of $400,000. Even lower grades still fetch five figures, a testament to Trout’s status a decade into his career.

2012 Topps Chrome Update Blue Refractors – This set features the blue parallel refractors of stars like Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Manny Machado and more. As these players have developed into superstars, the set has become a collector favorite. A full set in PSA 10 grade would be worth tens of thousands. Individual cards can reach $1000 PSA 10 depending on the player.

1986 Topps Traded Set – This set features late-season additions and trades, capturing stars like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and more during pivotal seasons. High-grade examples of their rookie or star cards are highly sought. A full set in PSA 8 grade sold for over $22,000. Individual PSA 10s can reach $1000 or more for the best players.

1957 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 – The Mick’s iconic rookie card remains the undisputed king of the hobby. High-grades are exceedingly rare and valuable, with a PSA 8 recently selling for over $360,000. Even low-grade examples still fetch five figures due to Mantle’s legendary status. It’s the card that started it all and remains a Holy Grail more than 60 years later.

While vintage stars will always have cachet, today’s rising talents and short-printed parallels seem to be driving the market momentum. Collectors are eagerly seeking the rookies of players they hope will someday achieve icon status of their own. With young stars like Ohtani, Soto and Acuña leading the way on the field, their early cards could prove to be worthwhile long-term investments. The baseball card market remains a speculative one where today’s hot hands can quickly become tomorrow’s cold ones. But for now, these recent players and vintage sets appear to be where the most action is in the hobby.

VALUABLE BASEBALL CARDS RIGHT NOW

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The baseball card market continues to evolve and certain cards are achieving astonishing prices at auction. Whether it is legendary players from baseball’s early years or modern stars, there are always cards that command big money due to their rarity and condition. With the rise of online auction sites and greater access to data on past sales, the market is more transparent than ever before. Here are some of the most valuable baseball cards that collectors should be watching right now.

One of the true “blue chip” cards is the 1909 T206 Honus Wagner. Often cited as the most valuable trading card in existence, the Wagner card has consistently established new auction records. In recent years, various PSA/BGS graded examples have sold for over $3 million. What makes the Wagner so desirable is that only around 60 are known to exist in all grades. As the sport’s first superstar, Wagner banned the American Tobacco Company from using his image without his permission. As a result, his T206 is one of the rarest icons of early baseball memorabilia.

Other pre-war cards that can reach seven figures include the 1914 Cracker Jack Dahlen and the 1915 Cracker Jack Nap Lajoie. Like the Wagner, the rarity of high graded Dahlens and Lajoies keeps the realized prices extremely high. The Great War had a chilling effect on the baseball card market so specimens from this era in top condition have astonishing collectible value. For example, a PSA NM-MT 8 Dahlen sold for $657,250 in 2018 while a PSA-graded Lajoie brought $432,000 the same year.

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card is arguably the most desirable post-WWII issue and consistently trades hands for high six-figure sums. What makes the ‘52 Mantle so coveted is not only was he a baseball icon but Topps only printed about 50-100 of the cards in the iconic red parallel which is the version that earns huge bids. A PSA Gem Mint 10 red Mantle sold for $2.88 million in 2021. Even lower graded examples in red still sell for north of $100,000. The modern record is held by a PSA 9 that made $5.2 million in auction.

Another universally desired vintage rookie is the 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth. High graded specimens become available only sporadically but realize astronomical sums. In recent years, a PSA 8.5 Goudey Ruth changed hands for $1.08 million while a PSA-graded SGC 2.5 copy fetched $443,800 in 2022. The rarity of the Goudey Ruth issue along with its captivating imagery will likely keep this one of the most celebrated cards from the early 20th century market.

When it comes to post-war stars, few rival the iconic 1961 Topps Mickey Mantle. Like the ‘52, condition is paramount and attracts serious six-figure spending in top grades. The record is a PSA 10 example that sold for $2.88 million in 2021. Any well-centred, sharply cornered PSA/BGS 9 can still net over $100K. While plentiful compared to pre-war issues, pristine ‘61 Mantles validated by leading third-party grading are still enormously difficult to acquire.

The 1951 Bowman Color Freddie Lindstrom and the 1950 Bowman Color Jackie Robinson possess a unique combination of historical significance, visual appeal, and rarity that makes them two of the costliest post-war parallels. Only about 50 color examples are accounted for in collector circles and they never stay available long. A PSA 8 Lindstrom changed hands privately for over $350,000 in 2022. The Robinson is arguably more coveted as the first true color card of a Major League player. A PSA 7.5 specimen sold for a staggering $693,000 back in 2021.

Due to the enormous popularity of Ken Griffey Jr. during the late 1980s and 1990s Upper Deck rookie boom, his 1989 Upper Deck RC is cherished by many collectors. High graded copies become available sporadically but always excite bidders. The auction record is a ultra-rare PSA 10 that made $493,674.50 back in 2021. Even PSA 9’s with strong centering and no flaws can break six figures. It exemplifies how certain stars from the early Leaf/Upper Deck years are developing strong long term value propositions.

Perhaps no modern player has generated as much card collecting fervor as Mike Trout. Low serial numbered parallels and variations of his 2009 Bowman Chrome rookie have fetched extraordinary prices. Trout mania reached new heights when a 1/1 printing plate sold for $3.936 million in August 2021, making it the highest price ever paid for a modern card. His rare refractors can also surpass $100K. With a strong chance of breaking career records, Trout rookies have legitimate potential to become all-time treasures as years pass.

While vintage gems will likely remain kings in the ultra high-end seven and eight figure auctions, this overview shows how certain modern and postwar rookies gain traction each year. Factors like the player, issue scarcity, condition trends and how different eras are reevaluated create new opportunities. For savvy collectors, being educated on category leaders poised to appreciate can unlock profits far greater than typical investment vehicles. With dedication and discipline, the baseball card market continually presents compelling avenues for building lifelong collections.