As the buzz of the 2025 MLB season kicks off, it’s time for collectors and investors alike to keep their eyes peeled for those elusive baseball cards that, while currently underappreciated, could make financial futures glow brighter than a midsummer home run under stadium lights. Let’s delve into some cardboard treasures that could steal the show as players aim to elevate their game this year.
Brandon Pfaadt, a promising pitcher from the Arizona Diamondbacks, is our first player of interest. Pfaadt’s career statistics, at first glance, might come across as rather pedestrian, with an ERA of 5.06 across 277.2 innings slinging balls off the mound. However, dig deeper, and you’ll uncover a pitcher whose fortunes might soon turn, much like that sharp breaking slider he commands with mounting proficiency. In 2024, he posted a more palatable, if not sparkly, 4.71 ERA. But, baseball aficionados revel in his 3.78 xERA and 3.61 FIP as signs of subterranean superiority. He strikes batters out like they’re pins in a bowling alley, boasting 9.04 K/9 while keeping his BB/9 to a disciplined low of 2.2. The missing piece of this puzzle is his struggle with home runs; however, with a bit of polish in this area, Pfaadt’s talent could transform into a musical note well worth tuning into.
Pfaadt’s “rookie cards” – shining specks within the collectible constellation – include the 2023 Topps Chrome and 2023 Topps Chrome Update versions, alongside the pioneering memorabilia of his 2020 Bowman Draft 1st Bowman Card. These cards currently cruise under the radar, tagged with prices unworthy of their potential worth, making them tantalizing temptations for investors on the hunt for prized additions to their treasure chests.
Equally overlooked, and quite unlawfully so, is Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This sprightly pitcher with a genetic arsenal to leave hitters groping at thin air, is another standout from 2024. His ERA sits at 4.14, cunningly cloaked behind smoke and mirrors from more regressive metrics like his 4.05 xERA and 4.00 FIP. His K/9 twirls at 9.7, and he keeps his walks manageable at 2.88 BB/9, making his command and control akin to the dexterity of a master puppeteer. The addition of a vicious two-seamer in spring training only enhances his captivating musical ensemble of pitches. Currently, his Topps Chrome Rookie Auto /499 cruises at a misleading bargain-bin price of $30, a siren’s song for savvy collectors aiming to grab a mint before value reaches crescendo.
Another captivating case is Heston Kjerstad of the Baltimore Orioles, whose profoundly profound talent has been parked, unfortunately, amidst a garage of brilliance bigger than the engine of a Baltimore farm system overflowing with talent. As the MLB aperture slowly parts to allow sunlight in, Kjerstad has established himself convincingly in the minors, confidently cranking .303/.401/.584 alongside 16 long-ball exclamations and 61 RBIs across various circuits (A+, AA, AAA) in 2024. His elite contact chiseling combined with power potential may very well carve through the concrete of competition once regular playtime is accrued, possibly as a Designated Hitter in a lineup bulging with brilliance. His awe-inspiring 2024 Bowman Chrome Rookie Gold Refractor Auto /50 PSA 10, tagged at a paltry $150, feels like finding a Rolex in a yard sale—if only the passerby knew!
Finally, rounding off our invitation to opportunity is Kerry Carpenter of the Detroit Tigers, whose unassuming demeanor might just keep this walking firecracker of firecrackers off the radar for a tad too long. Carpentry de jour, he’s already crafted 44 homers and 131 RBIs over 236 MLB games. Despite a spine less forgiving in 2024, he still managed to turn detractors into admirers with 18 homers and 57 RBIs in a mere 87 games. His ability to impact the game lies in his improvements across hard hit rate, HR/FB ratio, and exit velocity—all of which are tentpole metrics underpinning slugging success.
Find his cards, such as the 2023 Topps Chrome Rookie, or delve into his Topps Chrome Purple Auto /250, recently a steal at $49. Their allure starkly increases when graded aqua-blue waves upon a PSA evaluation. All these make Carpenter’s memorabilia an unaffordably affordable indulgence pre-breakout fiesta!
Ask not for whom the baseball card boom tolls; it tolls for thee, witting investor. These four players invoke the kind of mystery and potential that seasoned collectors dream of finding in their lineup. So, if the whisper of rising card value tempts you to act in anticipation of a glorious full season, seize these hidden gems and delight as their peaks ignite their respective careers—and consequently, your portfolio. Happy collecting!
