As we usher in another season of Major League Baseball, there is much anticipation surrounding the latest crop of rookies poised to make their mark. Known for igniting excitement among fans and card collectors alike, last year we saw meteoric rises in the value of players like Paul Skenes and Jackson Chourio. This year, a new set of hopefuls is ready to step into the spotlight, and the buzz is palpable among collectors eager to stake their claim. Forging from first hits to home runs, these are the seven front-runners for the Rookie of the Year award whose cards you’ll want to have on speed dial.
What’s in a card, you ask? Everything, if you’re a collector with an eye for talent. In the world of sports cards, some releases become seminal, particularly the highly coveted 1st Bowman Chrome autographs, which often precede a player’s flagship rookie. They are akin to a debutante ball, heralding a player’s introduction into the card-collecting world. Then there’s the Topps Rookie and Pro Debut cards, foundation stones that seldom disappoint akin to a reliable stalwart at the plate. For the savvy investor, value buys—often from lesser-known sets—present enticing opportunities just waiting for the right moment to swing for the fences.
Leading off in our esteemed lineup is Kristian Campbell, a second baseman making waves for the iconic Boston Red Sox. Once dismissed as a so-so fourth-round pick, Campbell quickly silenced skeptics with an eye-popping .330/.439/.558 line and a two-decade’s worth budget of 20 home runs and 24 stolen bases in Triple-A. His reward? A transaction worthy of Wall Street—an eight-year, $60 million deal as Boston’s Opening Day starter. For investors, Campbell’s Bowman Chrome Draft autograph stands as the coveted cornerstone card, a must-have for anyone substantiating future claims.
Next up, Dylan Crews of the Washington Nationals, whose aura as the top bat of the 2023 college class follows him like a shadow pitchers can’t catch. Often found smacking a ball into orbit courtesy of LSU, Crews’ initial MLB encounter may not have boomed immediately but keep those sunglasses ready—his bright future looks set to blind. Owning his Bowman Chrome Prospects card represents a tantalizing opportunity to capture the shimmer of his expected future brilliance.
Then there’s Jasson Domínguez, a myth unto himself, bearing the intergalactic moniker “The Martian.” Since stepping onto the scene, he’s been a subject of relentless fascination in a town that loves its legends—New York City. Nearly 20,000 of his Bowman Chrome Prospects cards have undergone rigorous PSA grading, and if he hits even a fraction of his lofty projections, collectors will surely be signing off earthly possessions to possess his celestial card offerings.
Switching the pitching side, we have Roki Sasaki, the intrepid ace from Japan now suiting up for the Los Angeles Dodgers. His impressive talent traversed the Pacific, but not without leaving a trail of collector’s bread crumbs back in the land of the rising sun. Before his stateside cards land, Sasaki’s earliest treasures stem from Japan with BBM Japanese League packs serving as a stepping stone into his now-larger domain.
In the Windy City, Matt Shaw is set to whip up a storm with the Chicago Cubs. A hitter as polished as a supercar, Shaw commands attention with a mighty Peterson-quoting bat. Having zipped through the minors with a .284 average and 21 home runs, the expectation for Shaw’s star to rise is not just prognostication but prophecy. His Bowman Chrome Draft autograph currently serves as the defining keepsake of a promising career just over the horizon.
A Florida State alumni flying high into outer space, Cam Smith finds himself the newest star in Houston’s orbit. After confiscating a first-round pick like stealing candy, his trade journey to the Astros set the stage for stardom. Smith’s Bowman Chrome Draft card is a key stepping stone on a path that collectors should carefully tread.
Finally, your attention please, to Oakland where Jacob Wilson showcases skills that dare rival his father, former All-Star Jack Wilson. Drafted by Oakland, Jacob promises to bring fireworks to the bayside. Concerns linger over Oakland’s small market not diluting demand, but his Bowman Chrome Draft autograph might very shortly be worth its weight in baseball gold.
For any serious collector or fan of America’s favorite pastime, keeping tabs on these wonderkids during the 2025 MLB season could swing their card investments out of the park. Just as each game brings unpredictable thrills, so too does the card-collecting adventure. Keep those eyes peeled and your card sleeves ready—the future is in your hands, one must-have card at a time.
