Latest news with #1stBowman
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top 10 most valuable 2025 Bowman 1st autos: Jesus Made, Zyhir Hope, and more
HOOVER, AL - MAY 21: Georgia Bulldogs third baseman Charlie Condon (24) during the 2024 SEC Baseball Tournament game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers on May 21, 2024 at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) One of the biggest gripes about Bowman baseball is that it's not always easy to know who to chase, who to sell, and who to stash—especially right after the product releases. After all, these are prospects, some of whom haven't even spent a full year in the minors yet. Every seasoned baseball collector has their own Bowman bust story: a player they invested heavily in who never quite made it to the big leagues, or did and was quickly sent back down. Fortunately, there are seasoned experts like Mantel user Big Bob's Cards , who crunch the numbers. Bob released his one-week-out 2025 Bowman analysis , including the average selling price of each player's 1st Bowman Auto. Here are the top 10 best-selling 2025 Bowman prospects one week after launch. 10) Slade Caldwell – Arizona Diamondbacks – $70.46 Arizona's 2024 first-round pick is just 18 years old, but thanks to a stellar high school career and a solid first 100 at-bats in the minors, he's made it into the top 10. Advertisement Buy Slade Caldwell on eBay 9) Malcom Moore – Texas Rangers – $75.00 The Rangers' 2025 first-round pick is the top catching prospect within their organization, giving him a strong chance to reach the majors in the next few years. Buy Malcom Moore on eBay 8) Franklin Arias – Boston Red Sox – $75.33 Franklin can hit. He's tearing up High-A with a .331 batting average through more than 130 at-bats in 2025 alone. Buy Franklin Arias on eBay 7) Luis Pena – Milwaukee Brewers – $75.90 The Brewers' 18-year-old shortstop Luis Pena hit .394 in the DSL last year, with an impressively low strikeout rate of 8.2% (yes, that's very good). Advertisement Buy Luis Pena on eBay 6) Quinn Mathews – St. Louis Cardinals – $80.00 Quinn is the only pitcher on this list, but considering the Cardinals' #2 prospect is already in Triple-A, his MLB debut could be sooner rather than later. Buy Quinn Mathews on eBay 5) Zyhir Hope – Los Angeles Dodgers – $88.33 Zyhir Hope's first Bowman card was actually included in the 2024 Bowman Draft product but didn't feature his autograph and wasn't listed as a "1st Bowman." That hasn't stopped collectors from eagerly anticipating his first official auto in 2025 Bowman. Buy Zyhir Hope on eBay 4) Kevin McGonigle – Detroit Tigers – $116.86 An injury hasn't prevented the Tigers' #2 prospect from becoming one of just four players in 2025 Bowman whose base 1st auto is selling for over $100. Advertisement Buy Kevin McGonigle on eBay 3) JJ Wetherholt – St. Louis Cardinals – $137.50 The Cardinals' number-one prospect has quickly ascended to Double-A and is aiming for a roster spot. It wouldn't be surprising to see him make his MLB debut as early as this season. Buy JJ Wetherholt on eBay 2) Charlie Condon – Colorado Rockies – $170.00 Charlie Condon is still adjusting in the Rockies farm system, so it's somewhat surprising to see his market value this high. However, considering his dominant college career as arguably the best Division 1 player in 2024, the hype is understandable. Personally, I'm a sucker for the Rockies purple color-match 1st Bowman Chrome autos, so it's a real shame they're selling for around $1,000 each. (Buy on eBay) 1) Jesus Made – Milwaukee Brewers – $256.67 The hype surrounding Made is unique. Commanding prices exceeding $250 for base 1st Bowman autos doesn't often happen with 18-year-olds. His performances so far in the minors and the DSL have showcased as much potential as any Bowman prospect in recent years. Buy Jesus Made on eBay
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rising stars, soaring values: How 2025 MLB's breakout performers are reshaping the card market
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Are you watching someone in particular this season not mentioned? Share it on Mantel.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can Paige Bueckers challenge Caitlin Clark in the trading card world? Plus the other names to know
Can Paige Bueckers challenge Caitlin Clark in the trading card world? Plus the other names to know 2023 Bowman Chrome University 1st Bowman Refractor (the hobby puts a premium on a player's 1st Bowman card as a key pre-rookie card and the refractor version is a bit more rare and desirable than the standard base card) Advertisement 2023 Bowman Chrome University 1st Bowman Prospect Autograph 2023 Bowman U Now March Madness Bueckers / Clark dual autograph Aside from Bueckers, whose card market benefited the most from their performance in the tournament? The NCAA tournament provides a great vehicle for athletes to become household names, elevating their brand on the biggest stage. This year was no exception as several athletes saw their popularity rise, positioning themselves as prime targets for collectors. Azzi Fudd The Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, Fudd wasn't on the sidelines this year rehabbing a torn ACL like she was last year. Her versatility was key to UConn's championship run, highlighted by her 11 third quarter points in the final, a UConn Women's Basketball record. Collectors looking for Fudd in a mainstream Topps or Panini product will have to wait for now. Her first licensed card was through the company, The Player's Trunk. In 2022 they released a team set featuring debut cards of key players such as Azzi Fudd (#1), Nika Muhl (#6), and Aailyah Edwards (#2). ONIT did include Fudd in their UConn team release in 2023-24, and Panini followed with an Instant auto (#71, pictured above) and post-championship release. Advertisement Kiki Iriafen Going into March Madness, Iriafen was considered by many to be a lock for the third pick in the upcoming WNBA draft. And while the recent announcement of Olivia Miles' return for her final collegiate season, albeit at TCU, has shifted projections, Iriafen's strong March performance and leadership in the absence of JuJu Watkins only raised her profile. Iriafen is included in 2024 Leaf Metal Women of Sport (#45), 2023-24 Panini Prizm Draft Picks, and 2024-25 Bowman University Chrome (#47). Aneesah Morrow The WNBA bound Morrow had the best game of her college career in the 2025 Sweet 16, dropping 30 points with 19 rebounds to lead the comeback against NC State. Scoring 2,500 and fetching 1,500 rebounds in a college career certainly turns heads, but her card options have been largely limited to Leaf products. Morrow has appeared in several Leaf releases, beginning with 2022-23 Leaf Draft, and more recently, making her hobby licensed debut in 2024-25 Bowman University Chrome. For those interested in print-to-order options, she has two cards through the Bowman U Now platform. Advertisement Sarah Strong To be clear, the NCAA Tournament didn't put Strong on collector radars, but it did show that the Freshmen of the Year recipient has lived up to her hype. While her cards were sought after in the recent Topps McDonald's All-American set, prices cooled quickly after it was released, and only after her historic 114-point tournament scoring achievement have her cards crept back up. Several print-to-order cards featuring Strong were released by Panini and Topps following the championship game, adding even more options for collectors already chasing her in Bowman University Chrome. How do you think JuJu Watkins' injury will impact her card prices? While a small dip might be expected I certainly wouldn't expect it to last long. My experience from recent breaks of Bowman University Chrome suggest that collectors still have a strong desire for her cards. Online break pricing for the USC team spots, or her solo spots, were consistently priced only behind Cooper Flagg. Though she may be sidelined for part of next season, her recent exclusive deal with Fanatics signals that Watkins will remain very much at the forefront of women's basketball cards and collectibles. Do you think Bueckers can challenge Clark as the most widely collected WNBA player? And whose name gets misspelled more? Bueckers cards will be in high demand, especially for her licensed WNBA card debut. Though anything is possible, I don't foresee the kind of seemingly insatiable appetite for all things Bueckers the way the hobby has experienced with Caitlin Clark. There are clearly more buyers in this hobby space today, and this draft class, as well as those coming up in the near future, have lots of stars to keep collectors happy. Advertisement The second question might actually be easier. Bueckers should be the tougher name to spell. Should. But considering how many incorrect spellings I see on a daily basis of Clark's name, I fear the phantom 'y' in her first name might be here to stay. Whose cards are you buying heading into the WNBA Draft? It's a great time to be buying WNBA cards, however I am happily ignoring many of the biggest prospects including Bueckers, Watkins, and Clark. Those players are in high demand, with prices reflecting such. In contrast, many WNBA veterans and legend cards are still wildly undervalued, particularly in comparison to Clark's recent sales. However, two prospects who have flown a bit under the hobby radar that I'm happily buying up are Sonia Citron and Ta'Niya Latson. Citron's size and versatility will make her a lottery pick with the upside to collectors as a rookie who can make an instant impact on the professional level. She was featured in 2024 Leaf Metal Women of Sport, followed by releases from Bowman U Now (including a dual auto with Hannah Hidalgo) and the recent 2024-25 Bowman University Chrome (#64). Advertisement Though Latson received the 2023 WBCA and USBWA Freshman of the Year Awards and led the nation this past season in scoring average, her national profile was perhaps limited since she played for Florida State. This changes next season as she takes her game from Tallahassee, through the transfer portal, to prime-time South Carolina. And unlike many highly touted players, she only has one mainstream card in the 2022 Topps Chrome McDonald's All American (#29 & #77) release so far. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage. When you click or make purchases through our links, we may earn a commission. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. WNBA, Women's College Basketball, Memorabilia & Collectibles 2025 The Athletic Media Company
