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Player Guides

Rookie cards, key cards, and investment picks for the players whose cardboard drives the hobby.

Modern Stars

Player

Aaron Judge

New York Yankees · Outfielder

The face of the modern Yankees and the American League's home-run king. Judge's 2017 Topps Update rookie is one of the most iconic cards of the decade, and the market for his elite parallels keeps climbing.

Player

Bobby Witt Jr.

Kansas City Royals · Shortstop

The Royals' franchise shortstop and 2024 MVP runner-up. Witt's 2022 Topps Chrome and 2020 Bowman Chrome Prospects 1st Bowman Auto sit at the center of one of the most durable young-player card markets in the hobby.

Player

Bryce Harper

Philadelphia Phillies · Outfielder / First Baseman

The most-hyped amateur prospect of his generation, now a two-time MVP and the face of the Phillies. Harper's 2012 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto is one of the most iconic autograph cards of the modern hobby.

Player

Jackson Chourio

Milwaukee Brewers · Outfielder

The Brewers' franchise outfielder and one of the most aggressive long-term contract bets in recent MLB history. Chourio's 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects 1st Bowman Auto sits at the top of the current prospect card market.

Player

Juan Soto

New York Mets · Outfielder

One of the most disciplined hitters of his generation, now in Queens on the largest contract in sports history. Soto's 2018 Topps Chrome Update rookie has been a fixture at the top of the modern card market since the day he debuted.

Player

Mike Trout

Los Angeles Angels · Outfielder

The best player of his generation and one of the most universally-collected names in modern hobby history. Trout's 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Auto is the benchmark card of the post-2000 era.

Player

Mookie Betts

Los Angeles Dodgers · Outfielder / Infielder

A former MVP, multi-time World Series champion, and one of the most complete players in the sport. Betts's 2014 Topps Update rookie is a cornerstone modern card with a resume that keeps growing.

Player

Paul Skenes

Pittsburgh Pirates · Starting Pitcher

The most hyped pitching prospect since Strasburg, now the reigning NL Rookie of the Year. Skenes's 2023 Bowman Chrome 1st Bowman Auto is the defining prospect card of this decade.

Player

Ronald Acuña Jr.

Atlanta Braves · Outfielder

The first and only 40/70 player in MLB history. Acuña's 2018 Topps Chrome rookie is one of the cleanest, most graded-friendly cards of the last decade, and his low-numbered parallels have been a reliable store of value.

Player

Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Dodgers · DH / Pitcher

The first true two-way superstar since Babe Ruth. Ohtani's cards — especially his 2018 Topps rookie and 2018 Bowman Chrome 1st Bowman — are among the most chased and traded in the modern hobby.

Vintage Icons

Player

Babe Ruth

New York Yankees · Outfield / Pitcher

The player who invented the home run era and, along with it, the American sports card. Ruth's 1914 Baltimore News and 1933 Goudey issues sit at the very top of the vintage market.

Player

Hank Aaron

Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves · Right Field

The Hammer. 755 home runs, 23 consecutive All-Star appearances, and a 1954 Topps rookie card that remains one of the most important and approachable vintage pieces on the market.

Player

Jackie Robinson

Brooklyn Dodgers · Second Base

The player who integrated Major League Baseball and transformed American sport. His 1948 Leaf and 1949 Bowman rookies are among the most historically significant cards ever issued.

Player

Joe DiMaggio

New York Yankees · Center Field

The Yankee Clipper. A 56-game hitting streak that has never been approached, three MVPs, nine World Series titles, and the iconic 1938 Goudey 'Heads Up' rookie card.

Player

Lou Gehrig

New York Yankees · First Base

The Iron Horse. Seven-time All-Star, two-time MVP, and the subject of the 1933 Goudey set's most iconic card after Ruth. Gehrig's pre-war cardboard defines the era.

Player

Mickey Mantle

New York Yankees · Center Field

The switch-hitting Yankees icon whose 1952 Topps #311 is the single most famous baseball card ever printed — the piece every vintage collector measures their collection against.

Player

Roberto Clemente

Pittsburgh Pirates · Right Field

The first Latin American superstar, a humanitarian whose career ended in tragedy, and the subject of one of the most important 1950s Topps rookie cards.

Player

Sandy Koufax

Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers · Pitcher

The most dominant pitcher of the 1960s and the prototype for every power left-hander since. His 1955 Topps rookie is one of the key pitcher cards of the vintage era.

Player

Ted Williams

Boston Red Sox · Left Field

The Splendid Splinter. The last man to hit .400, a two-time Triple Crown winner, and the subject of the 1939 Play Ball rookie — the key card of the late-pre-war era.

Player

Willie Mays

New York / San Francisco Giants · Center Field

The Say Hey Kid and the most complete five-tool player in baseball history. His 1951 Bowman rookie and 1952 Topps second-year card are cornerstone pieces of any serious vintage collection.