For enthusiasts of America’s favorite pastime, the clamor around baseball cards is reaching crescendo-like decibel levels. As we swing into the lively rhythm of spring training, the hunt for undervalued cards poised for a stellar return comes into sharp focus. It’s a high-stakes dance that combines nostalgia, strategy, and a pinch of daring. And if your goalpost for 2025 involves beefing up your card collection with a price chart that plots upwards, I’ve got four players whose cardboard representations are currently undervalued but have the potential to explode in market value. So grab your investing glove, let’s catch these hidden gems before the wider pack does.
First up for a visit to the mound is Brandon Pfaadt from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Now, before you scoff at this diamond in the rough, hear me out. Sure, Pfaadt’s current stats seem modest at best, with a career 5.06 ERA across 277.2 innings, but dig deeper. Beneath those numbers are signs setting the stage for a breakout: a 4.71 ERA for 2024, improved by a shining 3.78 xERA and a 3.61 FIP, alongside a respectable 9.04 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9. That’s pitcher-speak for: he has promise. Nestled comfortably behind big names such as Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly, he’s gearing up for his spotlight moment without the pressure to lead from the front. His current rookie cards, like the 2023 Topps Chrome, are offered at prices verging on gift-giving when considering his upside.
Next in line is Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Often overlooked in the sea of young talents crowding the Pirates’ rotation, Jones has flown under the radar—offering a delightful mispricing opportunity for savvy collectors. His 2024 stats pack a better-than-passable punch: a 4.14 ERA and 9.7 K/9, crowned with an exciting expansion of his pitching arsenal during spring training. A pitcher like Jones, with a lethal fastball and slider to boot, itching to season his game with a new two-seamer, is a potential game-changer—and his cards like the Topps Chrome Rookie Auto are a bargain find at their current valuation of around $30.
Stirring excitement within Baltimore’s overflowing treasure trove of farm talent, Heston Kjerstad makes his presence felt. Though chances at the big league have been few (so far), Kjerstad has turned heads with a remarkable .303/.401/.584 line in the minors, signaling an upward trajectory. Chock-full of elite contact and power potential, tucked away in a crowded Oriole lineup, he’s a secret waiting to get out. His 2024 Bowman Chrome Rookie Gold Refractor Auto, a sparkling card trading for a scarce $150, offers a deal as sweet as sips of lemonade in a baseball park.
Rounding off this quartet is Kerry Carpenter from the Detroit Tigers, quite possibly one of the game’s underrated power hitters. Health permitting, Carpenter boasts a 30+ home run promise, an enticing proposition considering his card prices. Despite back issues tripping him up in 2024, Carpenter hit 18 homers in 87 games, showcasing a surge in hard-hit rate and improving on already impressive home run per fly ball ratios. Slated to bat heartily amidst Detroit’s batting masthead, alongside players like Gleyber Torres, Carpenter’s rookie autos, notably the Topps Chrome Purple Auto or Aqua Wave Auto variants, are ripe for acquisition.
In the shifting, unpredictable world of MLB card investment, the saga often revolves around finding tomorrow’s star today. Spring training often foreshadows feats and fumbles alike, but these four budding players stick out on the roster for seasoned and budding collectors alike. The value placed on their cards today is a far cry from their potential, especially with a full season of displays waiting to lend credence to their statsheet credentials.
Waiting for the market to acknowledge these undervalued assets is not a winning strategy. The true artistry lies in foresight—leading you down the road less traveled with card-collecting profits that await beyond the horizon. So, gear up and make these cards a part of your collection before their values pull a vanishing act, leaving you to wistfully chase echoes of deals that once were. Investing in these undervalued gems might just be your ticket to a lucrative ride come the 2025 MLB season.
