Rookie cards of current star players consistently see high demand in the baseball card market. Cards from players early in their careers who go on to have Hall of Fame caliber careers retain value and often increase in demand years after they were printed. Some rookie and star player cards that are particularly in demand right now include:
Sandy Alcantara 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor Rookie Auto /99 – Alcantara had a breakout season for the Marlins in 2022, making his first All-Star team while posting a 2.28 ERA. As a young arm still getting better, enthusiasm is high for his rookie cards, which have risen greatly in value since last year. The low print run refractor autos especially sell for thousands.
Juan Soto 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor /150 – Soto established himself as one of the game’s best hitters the last few years still being only 24. His prospect cards hold astounding value, with the refractor versions the crown jewels. With his recent trade to the Padres, interest in Soto items has exploded further.
Ronald Acuña Jr. 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto /250 – Acuna missed much of 2022 due to injury but is still viewed as a superstar when healthy. Like Soto, his 2018 Bowman prospect cards brought high prices before and demand is stronger than ever now for the numbered parallel autos.
Wander Franco 2020 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor Auto /150 – Franco had a phenomenal 2021 rookie campaign and looks like a franchise cornerstone for the Rays. The low print run orange refractors captured the peak of early hype and remain must-have pieces for collectors pursuing the game’s next big thing.
Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto Refractor /299 – Trout has cemented himself amongst the all-time greats, and his rookie cards set records even before he reached his prime. With another MVP calibre 2022 furthering his legacy, collectors are still obsessed with adding a version of his elite prospect card to their collections.
Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps Chrome Special Edition Refractor Auto /5 – Ohtani has become a transcendent two-way star of the modern game. His rookie cards already brought record prices and finding one of just five Special Edition autos seems impossible without deep pockets. Rumours of seven-figure asking prices show no sign of calming demand.
Albert Pujols 2000 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor /499 – At 42, Pujols is closing in on retirement as one of the best right-handed hitters ever. Amazingly, his prospects cards from over 20 years ago remain among the most prized in the hobby. The already scarce refractor parallels are the ultimate Pujols rookie badge of honor.
Stephen Strasburg 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor /499 – Strasburg’s meteoric rise as a pitching phenom and 2019 World Series MVP further enshrine his prospects cards as legends of the craft. Like Pujols’, the low print refractors seem to only increase in status with each accomplishment and passing year.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2018 Topps Chrome Update Orange Refractor Auto /50 – Vladdy Jr.’s power surge in 2022 showed his future superstardom is arriving ahead of schedule. Already popular cards gained another major spike after a season where he finished third in MVP voting. The rare orange refractor could now demand six figures.
Bryce Harper 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Auto Jersey /99 – Harper ascended into one of the game’s marquee names and faces. His prospect success makes any relic card a must-have for collectors chasing the next stage of his career as he enters his 30s. Just 99 jersey autos were produced, cementing them as some of the most desirable modern cards available.
Fernando Tatis Jr. 2019 Topps Chrome Update Green Refractor Auto /50 – Tatis became one of baseball’s brightest young stars before injuries slowed his 2022 season. Belief in his abilities to again dominate when at full strength keeps interest in his elite rookies incredibly strong, especially for parallel autos with tiny print runs.
Griffin Canning 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor /499 – Canning has disappointed thus far on the mound for the Angels after a brief stint of promise. Collectors are still hoping for a breakout to make his prospects cards worthwhile investments again. Any outcomes could bring swings in these cards’ values.
Jasson Dominguez 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Purple Refractor /250 – Dominguez signed one of the largest bonuses ever for an international amateur. Two years in, he’s yet to debut beyond A-ball. But the unknown keeps a mystique over his cards, especially parallels that could boom in demand if he stars as expected up the Yankees’ system.
Julio Rodriguez 2021 Topps Chrome RC Auto Purple Refractor /99 – Rodriguez had a fantastic rookie debut for Seattle that put him into stardom conversations. His main rookie cards appropriately achieved record prices already. The lowest print parallel autos could see further jumps if he maintains that success path.
The baseball card market strongly gravitates towards young star players in their early careers as well as legends of the past few decades. Rarest parallel versions of elite rookie cards for current All-Stars and Hall of Famers consistently demand top dollar from avid collectors. Those cards profiled here fitting those criteria of stellar early performance, strong prospects, or achievements of a career seem poised to retain or increase in value as the collecting audience anticipates their future growth.
