Amidst the nostalgic aroma of baseball season and the palpable enthusiasm of spring training, collectors and investment-savvy enthusiasts are peering through dusty card racks and refreshing e-commerce pages with fervor. The golden age of collecting baseball cards wasn’t just a bygone era of simple joys; it’s a tangible gateway to investment opportunities—especially if you know where to look. Cast your net towards these four unsung MLB players with cards that currently sit undervalued, but promise a dazzling ascent as the 2025 season unfolds.
**Brandon Pfaadt – Arizona Diamondbacks**
You might wonder why Brandon Pfaadt, who sports a not-so-flattering career ERA of 5.06 across 277.2 innings, is on this list. It’s like voicing trust in a noisy washing machine; appearances can be deceiving. Look closer, and the allure is apparent: a burgeoning pitcher with metrics that whisper sophistication. In 2024, Pfaadt’s numerical narrative spun a different yarn—4.71 ERA masked by a commendable 3.78 xERA and a 3.61 FIP, and astonishingly, a 9.04 K/9 innings rate that testifies to his zone-hounding prowess. This pitching dynamo merely needs to learn the delicate art of home-run minimization to ascend the ranks of frontline starters.
Best of all, he isn’t laboring under the weighty expectations of others, not when Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly are headliners in the Diamondbacks’ roster. His cards, notably his 2023 Topps Chrome Rookie and 2020 Bowman Draft editions, currently play the role of unsung heroes. Consider grabbing these undervalued gems before their worth matches his evolving talent.
**Jared Jones – Pittsburgh Pirates**
In the carousel of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ promisingly juvenile rotation, Jared Jones is frequently, and unjustly, cast into the shadows. With numbers displaying an impressive 2024 record, Jones’ cards are the diamond amidst the marketplace rough. His stats—4.14 ERA with a promising 4.05 xERA, a 9.7 K/9 ratio, and a walks-per-nine of a paltry 2.88— speak of latent brilliance. Spring Training saw him expand his impressive arsenal by adding a two-seamer to his intimidating fastball-slider duo.
Currently, this pitching prodigy’s Topps Chrome Rookie Auto /499 is sold for a meager $30, a sum that speaks little of the cards’ prospective worth. Should Jones fashion his command and maintain his healthcare, the likelihood of price escalation is surer than the crack of a bat under the afternoon sun.
**Heston Kjerstad – Baltimore Orioles**
The Baltimore Orioles’ talent-packed farm system is bursting at its seams, and in this cauldron of promise, Heston Kjerstad quietly waits to unfurl himself. He is every microscope’s delight—a dominator of the minors with a batting prowess that longingly stares at greatness. His 2024 performance showcased a slash line of .303/.401/.584 across A+, AA, and AAA minor leagues, fortified by 16 home runs and 61 RBIs.
Kjerstad’s contact precision is akin to a conductor guiding a symphony, but the tuning pegs of Baltimore’s ensembles mean he must wait for his grand debut. If—in a dream scenario—he occupies Baltimore’s DH role with aplomb, his burgeoning card trove, led by the 2024 Bowman Chrome Rookie Gold Refractor Auto /50 PSA 10, could transform from its current $150 price tag to an eye-watering value befitting of a diamond-ringed curtain call.
**Kerry Carpenter – Detroit Tigers**
Kerry Carpenter’s juxtaposition of quiet demeanor to explosive hitting power makes him a study in intrigue for even seasoned baseball card collectors. This underrated juggernaut has already notched 44 home runs over 236 MLB games with enough solo fireworks to dazzle the night sky. Despite grappling with back injuries in 2024—a physical rain cloud in the sunlit garden of his talent—he still hammered 18 home runs with 57 RBIs in merely 87 games.
He now occupies a prime position in Detroit’s lineup, salivating over RBI possibilities with luminaries like Gleyber Torres and Riley Greene paving the path. Carpenter’s rookie autos—especially 2023 Topps Chrome Purple Auto /250 and 2023 Topps Chrome Aqua Wave Auto /199—are blue-collar investments, ready to transcend into Wall Street Aristocrats when his breakout season arrives and roars.
Card collecting isn’t merely a pursuit of nostalgia. It’s a bewitching blend of economics, statistics, and a depth of emotion that stokes fiery passion. These four player cards, currently resembling shrinking violets, hold an infinite possibility to bloom into sought-after marigolds when their rightful day in the spotlight arrives. The 2025 MLB season might just serve as the sunlight they need. Secure a place atop this thrilling rollercoaster before the echo of prices rising fills the ears of every card aficionado. Remember, markets shift faster than a baseball accelerating through an outfield on a clear summer’s day; being ahead of the curve is a luxury often unseen by many.
