As the crack of the bat and the snap of leather gloves herald the start of Spring Training, there’s a buzz in the air that goes beyond peanuts and crackerjacks. For those in the know, it signals the time to scrutinize the baseball card market for hidden treasures. These little pieces of cardboard gold can transform into must-see investment wonders if the trajectory of certain players shoots skyward in the upcoming 2025 MLB season.
If you’re looking to space-jam your collection—and perhaps even tour in the profit stratosphere without a speck of mercury retrograde—here’s your telescope to four up-and-comers whose cards are currently easier to nab than a ground ball through buttered fingers.
First off, take a gander at Brandon Pfaadt, pitching his way up through Arizona Diamondbacks nostalgia. Pfaadt’s numbers might appear as vanilla stats at first glance; however, as any stat-savvy slugger could tell you, there’s more than meets the eye. Although his careersports a 5.06 ERA across a measly 277.2 innings, zoom into his 2024 stats and it’s clear: the man is sneakily good. Illustrated in a stronger 4.71 ERA with an xERA of 3.78 and a FIP jiving at 3.61, Pfaadt shows he can keep runs off the scoreboard and hitters confounded. His penchant for striking out 9.04 per nine innings while issuing a paltry 2.2 walks is music to any investor’s ears.
Pfaadt’s card prices haven’t caught up with the symphony of his potential, especially since he needn’t bear the burden of being the Arizona ace. Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly are the quartet’s pillars, leaving Pfaadt free to stealthily climb the ranks. His rookie cards—such as the 2023 Topps Chrome—are stupendously undervalued, akin to finding a diamond in your dustpan.
Let’s fast travel over to Pirate territory, where Jared Jones is sailing under the flag of the perpetually underestimated. With the potential packed into Pittsburgh’s dynamite rotation, Jones’ performance in 2024 was nothing short of compelling: a 4.14 ERA that reads like poetry when paired with a 4.05 xERA and a 4.00 FIP whispers promise. Add to that his dazzling ability to strike out 9.7 batters per nine innings and you’ve got a gem ready to glitter just under the radar.
It’s not just hot air—Spring Training delivered revelations about Jones expanding his arsenal, flaunting a nascent two-seamer to tag along his formidable fastball and slider duo. His flashy Topps Chrome Rookie Auto, numbered at /499, shimmies along the market at a mere $30. Pause the remote, replay that: an absurdly affordable fee for a budding maestro with top-shelf stuff. Expect these cards to skyrocket should he manage to refine his command and stay injury-free.
Next on this tour of card-concealers traverses over to Baltimore, where amidst the Orioles’ promising farm, Heston Kjerstad waits in the wings, ready to take flight. This young bird blocked in a crowded nest has dominated minors like a maestro conducts his symphony—posting a .303/.401/.584 with 16 homers and 61 RBI across the minors’ 2024 shreds. Kjerstad possesses elite power and contact skills ready to headline any lineup.
In the event Kjerstad gains the spotlight—perhaps from being called to DH duty—his cardboard value is likely to beam. Recently, a Bowman Chrome Rookie Gold Refractor Auto /50 PSA 10 flew under the auction hammer for $150, practically a gift for someone with his level of prowess. Talk about value intrinsic!
Lastly, meander over to the Motor City, where Kerry Carpenter and his heavy-hitting ethos reside mixed with puzzle pieces yet uncomputed by most enthusiasts. Ranked among the most underrated dingers in the arena, Carpenter stays on pace toward trekking beyond the 30-homer hallmark. Across just 236 MLB installations, he has already tallied 44 homers and 131 ribbies. Back ailments couldn’t hinder his momentum in 2024, still finding time for 18 homers, 57 RBIs in a mere 87-game palate.
His offerings in hard-hit rate and exit velo have inched forward, filling analytics pages with optimism as he anchors in Detroit’s powerful lineup—featuring act names like Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene. Carpenter’s rookie autographs could prove significantly profitable, particularly when valued at their present-day tags—such as the Topps Chrome Purple Auto /250 and Aqua Wave Auto /199.
As you prepare to delve into investing, remember that every MLB season births a phoenix from the ashes, and players tend to transcend predictions—a phenomenon that could see these cards escalate in tandem with their owners’ on-field stardom. The cards are on the table, beckoning would-be collectors or investors who wish to capitalize before they drift beyond reach in the upcoming seasons.
