As baseball fans eagerly anticipate the crack of bats and the smell of fresh-cut grass with the onset of Spring Training, savvy collectors are shifting their gaze from the diamond to the card market, scanning for hidden gems. In a world where legendary cards fetch millions at auction, the current focus is identifying the next big thing—a player poised for a breakout season in 2025, whose underappreciated trading cards could become gold mines.
Enter the realm of the overlooked but brimming with possibilities. After sizing up the market, I’ve zeroed in on four promising players whose baseball cards are undervalued gems waiting for a chance to bat so to speak.
First up is the Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitching sensation in the making, Brandon Pfaadt. Now, before the stat purists raise their eyebrows over his 5.06 ERA, let’s dig a little deeper. In 2024, Pfaadt stepped up his game, ending with a more palatable 4.71 ERA, yet his xERA and FIP suggest even greater underlying potential, standing at 3.78 and 3.61 respectively. With a knack for pounding the strike zone, evidenced by a commendable 9.04 K/9 ratio and keeping walks to a manageable level, the 2.2 BB/9, this pitcher is quietly mastering his craft.
The beauty of investing in Pfaadt’s rookie cards lies in the minimal pressure on him to anchor the rotation, thanks to the presence of other pitching stalwarts like Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly in the Diamondbacks camp. Just imagine the surge in demand if Pfaadt decides to limit homers and starts dominating the mound. For now, his rookie cards, notably from the 2023 Topps Chrome series and his 2020 Bowman Draft – 1st Bowman Card, are flying under the radar.
Onward to Pittsburgh, where the Pirates’ Jared Jones finds himself in a sleeper-star position. With an impressive 2024 season under his belt, Jones boasts numbers that quietly whisper ‘upside’. A 4.14 ERA and a slightly softer 4.05 xERA, paired with a 9.7 K/9 and 2.88 BB/9, illustrate that he’s got the goods to transform those whispers into roars. Having expanded his repertoire with a crafty two-seamer in the Spring Training seasoning, Jones is poised to elevate his game. His rookie auto cards, like the 2024 Topps Chrome counterparts, are bargain buys now but could soar as he refines his command.
Then there’s Heston Kjerstad of the Baltimore Orioles—a name that might not ring many bells today but pay attention. The Orioles’ minor league system is a gold mine of young talent, and Kjerstad is panning out splendidly, boasting a combined .303/.401/.584 average across multiple levels in 2024 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs to his credit, while juggling formidable lineup competition. Kjerstad’s cards, especially the 2024 Bowman Chrome Rookie Gold Refractor Auto /50 PSA 10 is an undervalued catch at $150 today. As he finds his groove possibly as a regular DH, his cards could be the treasure chest in your collection.
Lastly, we have Detroit’s secret weapon of power at the plate, Kerry Carpenter. A slugger who has quietly blasted 44 homers in 236 games, Carpenter combines power with high-efficiency despite a few back setbacks in 2024. Hitting 18 home runs with 57 RBIs in just 87 games while improving hard-hit rates and exit velocities, shows he’s ready for a power surge revival. Tantalizingly placed in the heart of the Tigers’ lineup, Carpenter is set to feast on RBI opportunities. His rookie autos from the 2023 Topps Chrome series are affordable gems, with high potential to blaze like his home runs.
Peering into the crystal ball, the 2025 MLB season hosts the potential births of new stars. While many may overlook these four players today, investing in their cards could be a coup for today’s market observers before the market realizes the potential they hold. A kind word to the wise, invest now in these budding powerhouses of baseball before the demand drives their card prices out of sight.
Breathe in the nostalgia of collecting as you speculate smartly about who might just turn out to be the next baseball sensation. These players are arguably just a few innings away from their life’s crucial at-bat, ready to deliver the game-winning value for dedicated collectors and cagy investors alike. Happy hunting!
