As the MLB pre-season unfolds and eager fans and investors speculate on which stars will rise, baseball card collectors have been offered a unique window of opportunity. The upcoming 2025 MLB season is stirring excitement, not just for the games, but also in the sports memorabilia market. Among the flurry of trades and offseason moves, some undervalued baseball cards float quietly in the depths of the market, waiting for astute collectors to snap them up before their potential booms.
Baseball cards have long been more than mere pictures printed on cardboard; they are miniature investments that can yield hefty returns if purchased wisely. Today, we dig deep into the rising stars who, while still hovering under the radar, have the capability to send their rookie card values soaring—and with that, potentially make your pockets a bit deeper.
**Arizona Diamondbacks’ Brandon Pfaadt:** Ah, Brandon Pfaadt, where foresight meets opportunity. While he doesn’t command the media fanfare of a baseball phenom…yet, Pfaadt’s numbers suggest he’s just one powerful pitch away from greatness. Currently, his stats might elicit a yawn, with a career ERA at 5.06. But unpack the box score one layer deeper, and you’ll find his 2024 season stats whisper untapped promise—a 4.71 ERA with superior 3.78 xERA and a 3.61 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP).
Pfaadt’s ability to slice through the batting order with a formidable K/9 rate of 9.04 demands attention. Favorably, the Diamondbacks boast other frontline starters, allowing Pfaadt to develop without the crushing pressure of being the team’s ace. The speculative enthusiast can savor his rookie cards, notably the 2023 Topps Chrome and the 2020 Bowman Draft—each an underrated ticket to potentially fruitful returns.
**Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates:** When it comes to spinning prospect gold from seemingly ordinary ore, Jared Jones is the diamond in the rough. With a 2024 season where his ERA hovered at 4.14 but promising xERA and FIP figures linger below it, Jones has expanded his arsenal with the addition of a two-seamer. It’s a development that could transform his fastball and slider dominance into a swan song of career-best performances.
Jones’ cards, such as the 2024 Topps Chrome, are flying under the radar. With an Autograph version selling for a wallet-friendly $30, it’s an easy buy for those seeking speculative investment. Should Jones maintain his health and sharpen his command, investors who grabbed these bargains will find themselves pleasantly validated.
**Heston Kjerstad’s Potential in Baltimore:** Somewhere amidst the Orioles’ sea of talent lies Heston Kjerstad, whose minor league prowess screams potential. The numbers are tantalizing—a .303 batting average coupled with a power slash of .401 and .584 across various leagues in 2024 reflect sophisticated hitting mechanics. Despite showcasing only minute showcases in the majors due to lineup competition, opportunity could soon favor the bold. Kjerstad’s ability to inject explosive hits into any game he steps into suggests his cards are deviously undervalued.
A current Bowman Chrome Rookie Gold Refractor Auto /50 PSA 10 painlessly sold for $150. A steal? Potentially. As this player finds more playing time, particularly in the potential role of a Designated Hitter (DH), this hidden gem could shine brighter than the stadium lights.
**Kerry Carpenter’s Power Play:** Detroit’s charming Kerry Carpenter is approaching notoriety as a well-kept secret in the land of power-hitting. His displays of homerun prowess—44 over 236 MLB games—illuminate what seems a value mismatch to his current card prices. Despite battling through back issues in 2024, fans witnessed his ability to churn out 18 homers in just 87 games. Improvements in crucial stats like hard-hit rate teleport Carpenter directly into investor crosshairs.
With Detroit’s lineup teeming with potential, Carpenter will be swinging in a lucrative RBI position. Interestingly, his 2023 Topps Chrome cards remain enticingly priced—the Purple Auto /250 has emerged as promising for less than $50, while PSA-graded Aqua Wave Autos hover around $150. Picking these up could be the early-bird move savvy collectors dream of.
Every baseball season ushers in unexpected heroes and jaw-dropping plays that leave audiences and collectors alike open-mouthed in awe. For those in the ball card business, the secret lies in discerning which players will metamorphose into these unexpected stars. Identifying treasures while the spark is still a glimmer in their owner’s eye remains the aspirant’s task. Right now, these athletes’ cards promise an affordable entry with rewarding possibilities.
Collecting isn’t just about relics of the past but gambling on the future, too. For those wanting to augment their collections or approach gambling with a mature strategic edge, these underrated players’ cards have the potential to double, if not triple, in worth once market chatter catches up to their on-field feats.
So step up to the plate, collectors, and execute your swing before these gems receive the limelight they rightfully deserve. The bases are loaded, the cards are in play, and substantial returns may be just a pitch away.