As the echoes of bats meeting balls resonate once again in the annual symphony of spring training, a seasoned collector knows it’s the perfect moment to scour the catalog of baseball cards and make those canny investments that could transform into a golden harvest come the 2025 MLB season. While the iconic rookie cards of established stars may have already hit lofty heights, the true art lies in eyeing those undervalued diamonds in the rough—the investment opportunities simmering just below the surface, waiting to explode into lucrative assets.
This season, I have carefully curated a selection of four less-heralded players whose baseball cards await eager collectors in the wings, primed to be swept up before their pitchers and bats bring their market values soaring skyward. These are the players whose talent is simmering, with the potential to bubble over spectacularly at any moment into baseball greatness.
Starting on the pitcher’s mound, we have Brandon Pfaadt of the Arizona Diamondbacks, whose blistering potential can barely be quantified by his current stats. Across 277.2 career innings, Pfaadt’s career ERA sits at a modest 5.06—a mere smokescreen for a deeper level of brilliance on the horizon. In 2024, his numbers—from a 4.71 ERA to an xERA of 3.78 and a 3.61 FIP—hinted at a story still to be fully told. With a 9.04 K/9 and an impressively low 2.2 BB/9, he’s proven that he can wield the power of the strike zone with adept mastery. Given time and opportunity to hone his craft beyond the shadows of the more dominant names in the rotation, such as Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly, Pfaadt could easily ascend to a frontline starter. His cards, like the 2023 Topps Chrome and the 2020 Bowman Draft 1st Bowman Card, are attractively affordable right now, promising a high yield for patient investors.
Next, turn your attention to Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This unassuming member of a budding Pirates rotation holds an exciting arsenal of pitches. In 2024, his 4.14 ERA and 9.7 K/9 were the opening moves of a promising campaign, now enriched by an added two-seamer to an already deadly fastball and slider. Despite these talents, his 2024 Topps Chrome Rookie Auto /499 is a bargain at a mere $30. If refined further, Jones’s arm could catapult his cards into the stratosphere — these rookie cards beckon like whispered secrets yet to be acclaimed by the masses.
The Baltimore Orioles’ Heston Kjerstad embodies another compelling story of mesmerizing potential. The Orioles may boast a veritable cornucopia of young talent, yet Kjerstad’s prowess with the bat hints at his own coming ascent. Despite limited major league exposure, his performance in the minors—highlighted by a robust .303/.401/.584 with 16 HR and 61 RBI in 2024—screams of pending stardom. For the collector eye, Kjerstad’s rookie cards, like the 2024 Bowman Chrome Rookie Gold Refractor Auto /50 PSA 10, are a relative steal at $150. Should the Orioles find space for him in their competitive lineup, particularly as a designated hitter, the investment in Kjerstad could pay off in spades.
Lastly, let’s not overlook the powerhouse Kerry Carpenter of the Detroit Tigers. Far removed from the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments, Carpenter’s raw power has ceremonially graced games with barrels of joy over 236 MLB matches. With 44 home runs tucked under his belt and defying the hindrance of back injuries in 2024 with 18 HR and 57 RBI in just 87 games, the heart of Detroit’s lineup is fertile ground for his bloom. Whether reeling in Gleyber Torres, Parker Meadows, or Riley Greene from a base-sacrificed oven, Carpenter’s rookie cards, exquisitely affordable as in the 2023 Topps Chrome Purple Auto /250 at $49, are awaiting their day in the market sun, promising a fruitful yield for any discerning collector.
As the 2025 MLB season approaches, the clamor for these rookie cards is poised to rise like curtain applause at the debut of a Broadway premier. For those with an astute eye and an intuitive inkling, investing now before the market becomes aware could lead to the sweet satisfaction of sitting pretty on a robust collection as new stars rise on the old diamond. Whether seasoned or neophyte, each hidden gem in this article stands as a promising investment ready to bat its way into your portfolio with the flip of the season. Act quickly, before the headlines catch on and these talents become the talk of every fan and collector alike.