In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of baseball card collecting, grading trends provide a fascinating peek into the players who are currently making waves in the market. As we delve into the first 10 months of 2024, one name stands out above the rest – Elly De La Cruz. The young MLB rookie has emerged as the undisputed leader among his peers in the realm of graded trading cards, with an impressive total of 93,194 cards graded by November 4. This statistic alone is a testament to De La Cruz’s immense popularity among collectors, cementing his status as a sought-after figure in the hobby.
Close on De La Cruz’s heels are two other notable names in the baseball world – National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes and top prospect Jackson Holliday. According to data from Gemrate.com, analyzed by Baseball America, these players have also garnered significant attention in the grading market, showcasing their potential and attracting collectors’ interest.
Gemrate founder, Ryan Stuczynski, remarked on the 2024 grading highlights, stating that “Elly was the big chase in 2024, and his supply highlights that.” The numbers speak for themselves, with De La Cruz leading the pack in graded cards. For comparison, even American League MVP Aaron Judge had 75,545 cards graded during the same period. However, it was National League MVP Shohei Ohtani who truly set the bar high. Ohtani’s astonishing total of 231,783 graded cards in the first 10 months of 2024 solidified his position as the most collectible player in the hobby, drawing unparalleled interest from fans and collectors alike.
Stuczynski emphasized the uniqueness of Ohtani’s grading activity, stating, “Ohtani’s grading activity is unlike anything we’ve seen in the baseball category.” Ohtani’s cumulative total of 740,000 graded cards ranks him second all-time, only behind the legendary Ken Griffey Jr. This remarkable achievement positions Ohtani as a formidable force in the baseball card collecting world, with his allure transcending time and generations.
Turning our attention to the future stars of baseball, Jasson Dominguez emerged as a standout figure among Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects in terms of total graded cards for 2024. The excitement surrounding young talents like Dylan Crews and Walker Jenkins underlines the growing interest in baseball’s rising stars, as collectors eagerly anticipate their potential breakthroughs in the major leagues.
The data also sheds light on the significant role that hype plays in shaping the baseball card market. As new prospects ascend and rookies dazzle with their performances, collectors are drawn to their cards, leading to increased grading activity and heightened anticipation for what the future holds.
The grading data sourced from major companies such as PSA, BGS, ISA, SGC, and CGC underscores the widespread impact of grading trends across the hobby. Not only do these numbers reflect player performance, but they also mirror collector sentiment, painting a comprehensive picture of the current landscape of baseball card collecting.
Understanding the importance of grading trends is crucial for collectors and investors alike. Strong grading activity for rookies and prospects often translates into heightened interest and potentially increased card values, providing valuable insights for those looking to navigate the market strategically. Superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge continue to dominate the scene, captivating fans with their exceptional talents and attracting unparalleled activity in the collecting world.
As we look towards the future, the evolving dynamics of the baseball card market in 2024 promise to bring forth new stars and exciting developments, with players like Elly De La Cruz and Jasson Dominguez poised to leave a lasting impact both on and off the field. Collectors and enthusiasts are encouraged to stay tuned and remain vigilant for the next wave of hobby icons set to redefine the world of baseball card collecting.