As the aroma of freshly cut grass fills the air and baseballs start whizzing past gloved hands at spring training, the time is ripe for spotting diamonds in the rough. Particularly, those diamonds happen to be tucked away in the form of undervalued baseball cards. As the 2025 MLB season approaches, these cards, currently flying under the radar, may soon surge in value. Investing in them now could yield some hefty returns if the respective athletes level up their games.
So, if you’re the kind of collector or investor who loves a good bargain with potential, here are four players whose burgeoning talent eclipses the price of their cards. Whether you’re a seasoned card enthusiast or a budding investor eager to take the baseball card plunge, these players present some juicy opportunities.
**Brandon Pfaadt – Arizona Diamondbacks**
Ah, the allure of a sleeper pick! Brandon Pfaadt is the kind of under-the-radar performer who might just turn out to be a coup for the shrewd investor. On paper, Pfaadt’s stats might not yodel a Broadway tune. Holding a career ERA of 5.06 may cause some to dismiss him at first glance. However, those savvy enough to dig a bit deeper find gold beneath the surface. His 2024 season painted a more promising picture: a 4.71 ERA paired with a palatable 3.78 xERA and a glowing 3.61 FIP suggest solid potential.
With a muscular 9.04 K/9 and just 2.2 BB/9, Pfaadt demonstrates an ability to tame the plate with flair, striking out opponents with ruthless regularity. His cards are presently more affordable than a ballpark hotdog—a steal! Surrounded by stalwarts like Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly in the D-Back’s rotation, Pfaadt is under no pressure to carry the pitching staff, freeing him up to leapfrog expectations.
**Cards to Watch:**
– 2023 Topps Chrome – Rookie Card
– 2023 Topps Chrome Update – Rookie Card
– 2020 Bowman Draft – 1st Bowman Card
**Jared Jones – Pittsburgh Pirates**
Break out the pirate hats and flags because Jared Jones is the treasure map to your pot of gold. Nestled within the Pirates’ promising young rotation, Jones can remain your little secret (for now!). His 2024 season had its shining moments, including a 4.14 ERA, an intriguing 4.05 xERA, and 4.00 FIP, fleshed out by a spunky 9.7 K/9 and just 2.88 BB/9.
Spring Training saw him add a vicious two-seamer to his powerhouse fastball and slider ensemble, enhancing his pitching weaponry. His Topps Chrome Rookie Auto /499 currently sells for the modest price of $30. Should Jones refine his command and grace us with another healthy season, expect these prices to ascend quicker than one of his blazing fastballs.
**Cards to Watch:**
– 2024 Topps Chrome – Rookie Card
– 2024 Topps Chrome Update Series – Rookie Card
– 2020 Bowman Draft – 1st Bowman Card
**Heston Kjerstad – Baltimore Orioles**
With talent pouring out of Baltimore’s system like crab cakes at a Maryland cookout, Heston Kjerstad could easily get swept under the rug. But his prowess in the minors—boasting a .303/.401/.584 slash line in 2024 with 16 HR and 61 RBI—reveals an athlete poised for major league success.
Though he’s currently benched in a loaded Orioles lineup, there’s ample power and talent stewing in his swing. Should Kjerstad carve out regular playing time, or sneak in as a designated hitter, his card values are likely to jump higher than one of his home run balls. A recent sale of his 2024 Bowman Chrome Rookie Gold Refractor Auto /50 PSA 10 for just $150 could be just the beginning of a boom.
**Cards to Watch:**
– 2024 Topps Chrome – Rookie Card
– 2024 Topps Chrome Update Series – Rookie Card
– 2020 Bowman Draft – 1st Bowman Card
**Kerry Carpenter – Detroit Tigers**
Roaring quietly in the shadows, Kerry Carpenter wields a potent swing that whispers sweet promises of 30+ home runs in the ears of those who listen. Despite back issues hindering his 2024 season, he still delivered 18 homers and 57 RBIs over 87 games—a hearty appetizer for his potential feast.
Hitting amidst talents like Gleyber Torres, Parker Meadows, and Riley Greene in Detroit’s lineup, Carpenter has ample RBI opportunities, promising plenty of scoreboard action. His rookie autos are bargain-priced treasures waiting to be unearthed before he unleashes a breakout season that will surely send card values into the stratosphere.
**Cards to Watch:**
– 2023 Topps Chrome – Rookie Card
– 2023 Topps Chrome Purple Auto /250 (recent sale: $49)
– 2023 Topps Chrome Aqua Wave Auto /199 PSA-graded (recent sale: $150)
Opportunists take heed: every MLB season unearths new stars, and these four players are primed to leap from the shadows, potentially sending their card values soaring. With their cards currently affordable, the time to invest is now, before the market catches wind and prices pop like corks on New Year’s Eve.
Reflective investors and collectors, now is your moment. If you seek to bolster your collection or strike a profitable venture in the world of baseball cards, these hidden gems could pay handsome dividends as the 2025 season unfolds. Seize the moment, and lock in your investments before the buzz lifts these buried treasures to their rightful sky-high valuations.