As we forge ahead into a new season of America’s favorite pastime, the exhilarating world of baseball card collecting beckons the astute investor with whispers of hidden treasures. With the 2025 MLB season on the horizon and Spring Training bustling with budding talent and seasoned veterans honing their prowess, the time is ripe for diving into an undervalued corner of the market.
For those willing to play the long game, the opportunity to discover hidden gems in the form of baseball cards is tantalizingly present. By pinpointing players whose current card valuations are comparatively modest but hold promise, collectors and investors alike stand poised to witness these cards appreciate steadily as these athletes rise to their potential.
Our scouting lens focuses on four promising players whose cards are deceptively low-priced considering the potential they brim with. Seizing these opportunities now is akin to snagging a front-row seat to an underdog’s breakout performance.
First on the docket is Brandon Pfaadt of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Don’t let the initial blush of his stats dissuade you—beneath the seemingly unimpressive 5.06 career ERA lies a nugget of untapped potential. The discerning eye will note that during the 2024 season, Pfaadt’s ERA hovered at 4.71, but it’s his impressive 3.78 xERA and 3.61 FIP that hint at a skilled magician at work on the mound. His ability to command the strike zone is reflected in his outstanding 9.04 strikeouts per nine innings and a tidy 2.2 walks per nine. Nestled comfortably beneath the shadow of premier pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly, Pfaadt faces little pressure, providing him the perfect environment to hone his craft and mature into a frontline starter. Given this promising outlook and his rookie cards’ surprising affordability, investing in Brandon Pfaadt’s memorabilia now could yield significant returns in due course.
Collectors should keep an eye on 2023 Topps Chrome and 2020 Bowman Draft variants for Pfaadt’s first rookie iterations, which are flagged as steal-worthy opportunities.
Next, consider the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jared Jones, an unsung talent amidst an inspiring young rotation. Despite his standout 2024 season, which showcased a 4.14 ERA and a skillful 9.7 K/9 ratio, Jones remains somewhat an overlooked secret—an injustice when considering his burgeoning repertoire, now reinforced with a two-seamer. The current valuation for a card like the Topps Chrome Rookie Auto /499 at $30 could very well underrepresent his future worth. Jones’ growth in command and health make him a calculated yet enticing gamble for the card aficionado.
For Jared Jones enthusiasts, his 2024 Topps Chrome options and the earlier 2020 Bowman Draft debut cards present intriguing acquisitions.
When we pivot to the Baltimore Orioles, Heston Kjerstad emerges as a sparkling candidate of exponential promise. Nestled within an embarrassment of riches that is the Orioles’ pipeline of talent, it’s easy to overlook him. However, Kjerstad’s sizzling 2024 statistics—featuring a slashing line that reads like a dream with .303/.401/.584—tell another story. His blend of elite contact and power tools makes him an exciting counterpoint in a packed, high-octane Orioles lineup. As fate may have it, Heston’s playing time expands, especially in a possible designated hitter role; one might anticipate a monumental surge in the value of his trading cards.
Savvy buyers should scout for the crown jewels within the 2024 Topps Chrome and Bowman Draft sets to secure their slice of Kjerstad’s promising future.
Rounding off our distinguished list is the Detroit Tigers’ Kerry Carpenter, a stealthy power hitter whose thunderous bat has remarkably been underappreciated in the trading card sphere. Over the span of just 236 MLB contests, Carpenter has logged 44 long balls and 131 RBIs—a tantalizing glimpse of his potential. Despite a backlit 2024 plagued with injury, his deep dives into hard-hit metrics have shown improvement, setting the stage for expansive achievements. Positioned strategically within the Tigers’ batting order emulating an RBI machine setup, his rookie cards carry untapped wealth potential.
Take heed and explore 2023 Topps Chrome, including colorful autos, which could offer high yields if Carpenter barrels up a breakout season upon a renewed bill of health.
As history attests, every MLB season anoints its unexpected heroes. These underrated powerhouses are primed for a renaissance of recognition and value which could fundamentally reshape card collections. In the rapidly evolving world of sports card investments, time is of the essence. Securing these hidden gems before the swarm of latecomers could be the strategic masterstroke for the astute collector or investor looking to turn a quick flip or cultivate a collection rich in both intrinsic and monetary value. Trust your instincts and the whispers of the diamond; the next wave of card-holding luxury might just be a changeup away.
