Rising stars, soaring values: How 2025 MLB's breakout performers are reshaping the card market

Yahoo

28-04-2025

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: Chandler Simpson #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays slides home to score a run on a wild pitch during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on April 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by)
The 2025 MLB campaign has barely left the starting gate, but the trading card market is already buzzing with electricity as several overlooked talents are delivering breakout performances. For savvy collectors who placed early bets on Kyren Paris, Tyler Soderstrom, and Brady Singer, these opening weeks have transformed speculative purchases into surging investments. As the players work towards what goes on the back of their cards, card values are climbing simultaneously with on-field excellence, creating the perfect storm that card enthusiasts live for.
Here's a closer examination of how these players are cementing—or in some cases, elevating—their standing in the hobby through their remarkable season-opening performances:
Kyren Paris - The Angels' Hidden Gem
Kyren Paris has exploded onto the MLB scene with a ferocity that has caught both scouts and collectors completely off guard. The electrifying 22-year-old has transformed from prospect to lineup catalyst practically overnight, wielding a devastating combination of speed and newfound plate discipline that's terrorizing American League pitching staffs. His mid-April slash line of .306/.404/.673 only tells part of the story—add in his flawless stolen base tally (5-5), and you're witnessing the birth of Los Angeles' newest sensation.
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The collecting community has responded with a buying frenzy that's reshaping Paris' market. Paris's Bowman Chrome autographs—cards that may have been in discount bins just months ago—have become one of the hobby's hottest commodities, with graded parallel versions now booming with sale prices increasing over 600% in the last 30 days. Seasoned collectors who stashed these "sleeper" cards of the prospect who's been ranked top 30 in the Angels system since 2020, are reaping massive rewards, while others scramble to secure what inventory remains. (shop Kyren Paris cards on eBay )
Tyler Soderstrom - Rookie Power Surge Electrifies Market
While the Athletics continue their organizational struggles, they've unearthed a genuine diamond in Tyler Soderstrom. The former first-round selection is unleashing the devastating power that once made scouts double take, hammering an impressive 9 home runs through his first 20 games while demonstrating significantly enhanced pitch recognition and power to all fields that suggest this breakout is far from a fluke.
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After his underwhelming 2023 MLB introduction, and similar 2024 campaign, left collectors cooling on his prospects–Soderstrom's 2025 explosion has triggered a remarkable market correction. His 1st Bowman autographs—cards that sat in the $25-40 range for months—have suddenly boomed as the price on his 2020 Bowman Draft Sapphire edition has risen over 700% in the last 30 days. Numbered cards like his 2024 Topps Chrome Update (out of 199) have also seen 30 day price changes over 80%. Mantel community users have been showing off Soderstrom cards that have been waiting for this breakout..
Adding fuel to this collecting fire is the persistent speculation surrounding A's franchise status—savvy investors are positioning themselves early, anticipating the value surge that would inevitably follow Soderstrom's potential main role in the rebuild that could catch fire in Las Vegas. For those who maintained faith through his developmental struggles, the payoff has arrived in spectacular fashion. (shop Tyler Soderstrom cards on eBay )
Heston Kjerstad - The Delayed Explosion in Baltimore
After years as baseball's ultimate "what if" prospect, Heston Kjerstad is finally getting the chance to silence critics and reward patient believers with the abundance of playing time that his No. 2 overall draft status always promised. The former Arkansas slugger, whose early career was derailed by a heart condition , entered 2025 with a clean bill of health and something to prove—and the Orioles are granting him every opportunity to show out.
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Through mid-April, Kjerstad has started in 18 of the Orioles 21 games and has been finding his legs against American League pitching. The outfielder currently has three home runs, driven in 12 runs, and has built up an .800 OPS. The collecting community's reaction has been steady. Kjerstad's 2020 Bowman Chrome autographs , which had plummeted in value during his medical struggles, are experiencing a resurrection thanks to his starting role in 2025–and have seen price increases over 25%. Gold refractors that sat in the $75-100 range just months ago are now changing hands at prices nearing $200 and continuing to rise , while his rarest parallels are vanishing from the market entirely as investors lock them away.
As Baltimore continues its emergence as an American League powerhouse, Kjerstad's prominence within their young core suggests his cardboard trajectory has only begun its ascent–and the potential for multi-auto cards featuring players in this young core is unlimited. (shop Heston Kjerstad cards on eBay)
Chandler Simpson - Baseball's Blur Can Only Be Caught In Packs
The Tampa Bay Rays have unleashed a speed demon on the baseball world, and collectors are racing to keep pace. Chandler Simpson, Tampa's seventh-ranked prospect, isn't just fast—he's rewriting what baseball speed even means in the modern game. In 2024, Simpson achieved the nearly impossible, swiping an astonishing 104 bases across High-A and Double-A, becoming the first minor leaguer since 2012 to crack the century mark in stolen bases.
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What makes Simpson truly special isn't just his blinding speed but his remarkable ability to get on base consistently enough to unleash it. His 2024 campaign featured a dazzling .355 batting average and .410 on-base percentage across 110 games—numbers that transform his speed from a novelty into a genuine game-breaking weapon. The collecting community, always quick to identify unique talents before they explode into the mainstream, has begun quietly accumulating Simpson's key cards. His 2022 Bowman Draft Chrome autographs have become increasingly difficult to find at reasonable prices, with some refactor sale prices launching up over 35% . Simpson's biggest 30-day price mover has been his 2022 Bowman Draft Chrome Green Refractor Auto that last sold for $217.00 .
As Simpson continues to perform at the MLB level, those who secure his key rookie-year cards now may find themselves holding the hobby's next sensation. In an era where baseball increasingly values versatility and uniqueness, Simpson's unprecedented speed gives him the kind of distinct skill set that tends to create lasting collector appeal and significant potential for appreciation. (shop Chandler Simpson cards on eBay)
As the 2025 MLB season unfolds, these emerging stars represent more than just market trends—they embody the thrill and strategy that make sports card collecting such a rewarding pursuit. For every Kyren Paris or Tyler Soderstrom who validates early investor confidence, countless others will fade from relevance, highlighting the delicate balance of risk and reward that defines the hobby. What separates successful collectors from the pack is their ability to identify unique talent before mainstream recognition drives prices skyward. Whether it's Simpson's blazing speed, Soderstrom's raw power, or Kjerstad's comeback story, each player offers collectors something unique to invest in based on their personal collecting preferences. The next few months will determine which of these early-season standouts can maintain their trajectory, but one thing remains certain—those who recognized these talents early and acted decisively are already enjoying the returns that come from seeing potential before it becomes performance. Stay on top of rookie trends with Mantel, the community built for your collection.
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