Latest news with #1stBowmanAuto
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB Opening Day: 10 Baseball Prospects Whose Card Prices Got a Bump During Spring Training
MONTERREY, MEXICO - MARCH 25: Marcelo Mayer #39 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Sultanes de Monterrey at Estadio Mobil Super on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images) (Mary DeCicco via Getty Images) Spring training is baseball's annual tease—just enough to spark the imagination, not enough to confirm anything. But for collectors paying close attention, it's also one of the best windows to spot movement before the market fully reacts. And in cards, timing is everything. A strong couple weeks in March can light a fire under a player's market before Opening Day even hits. For prospect collectors, the card that matters most is the 1st Bowman Chrome autograph—usually the player's first licensed card in a pro uniform, and the one that tends to rise (or fall) with each big moment. Advertisement Here are ten prospects who made waves this spring —and saw their card prices start to follow. 1) Marcelo Mayer: Boston Red Sox Mayer has long been on collectors' radars, but a few impressive at-bats this spring—including a moonshot home run—reminded everyone why he's a top-10 prospect in the game. Hitting .333 with a .983 OPS, Mayer made his case for his first major league start this year. Mayer's 1st Bowman Auto was released in 2021 Bowman Draft Price for a Raw 1st Bowman Auto Refractor /499: ~$250 Buy on eBay 2) Kristian Campbell: Boston Red Sox Campbell has been one of the breakout names in Boston camp. Drafted in 2023, he hit .330/.439/.558 across three levels of the minors last season and above-average speed. His success and his recent appointment to the Red Sox 2025 starting lineup has sent his card prices soaring. Advertisement Campbell's 1st Bowman Auto was released in 2023 Bowman Draft Price for a Raw 1st Bowman Auto Refractor /499: ~$200 Buy on eBay 3) Jackson Jobe: Detroit Tigers Jobe is healthy and dealing. After missing time with injury, he's back and flashing a triple-digit fastball and filthy secondary pitches. In 6 IP this spring, he struck out 9 and walked none. Jobe's 1st Bowman Auto was released in 2021 Bowman Draft Price for a Raw 1st Bowman Auto Refractor /499: $150 Buy on eBay 4) Chandler Simpson: Tampa Bay Rays Simpson is arguably the fastest man in the minors and he's using it. He swiped 5 bases in just 8 spring games and started Spring hitting .750. Simpson didn't make the Ray's starting lineup this year, however, with skills like his, collectors are expecting a 2025 arrival to the big show. Advertisement Simpson's 1st Bowman Auto was released in 2022 Bowman Draft Price for a Raw 1st Bowman Auto Refractor /499: ~$100 Buy on eBay 5) Drake Baldwin: Atlanta Braves Baldwin popped 3 HRs this spring and showed solid defense behind the plate. For a catcher with pop in the Braves system, collectors are jumping on the opportunity post Spring Training. Baldwin's 1st Bowman Auto was released in 2022 Bowman Draft Price for a Raw 1st Bowman Auto Refractor /499: ~$100 Buy on eBay 6) Christian Moore - Los Angeles Angels Moore's spring showed promise, with flashes of offensive capability and defensive growth, positioning him as a prospect to watch this season as he refines his skills. The number 1 Angels prospect has potential to debut as early as this year. Advertisement Moore's 1st Bowman can be found in 2024 Bowman Draft. Price for a Raw 1st Bowman Auto Refractor /499: ~$250 Buy on eBay 7) Garrett Crochet – Chicago White Sox Crochet came into Spring Training with something to prove — and he delivered. The former first-round pick is finally healthy and flashed ace-level stuff, touching 99 MPH and showing improved command. With the White Sox experimenting with him as a starter, his breakout potential is real. Crochet's 1st Bowman auto can be found in 2020 Bowman Draft Price for a raw 1st Bowman Auto Refractor /499: ~$100 Buy on eBay 8) Sebastian Walcott – Texas Rangers Still just 18, Walcott opened eyes with a couple of loud swings during Rangers camp. The Bahamian shortstop is already showing plus power and advanced approach for his age, making him one of the buzziest teenage prospects heading into 2025. A strong full-season debut would send his cards into orbit. Advertisement Walcott's 1st Bowman non-auto can be found in in 2023 Bowman Chrome, and his first Bowman auto can be found in 2024 Bowman Chrome Price for a Raw Bowman Auto Refractor /499: ~$200 Buy on eBay 9) George Lombard Jr.: New York Yankees The Yankees' 1st rounder in 2023 is showing big strides. His above average defense and ability to make things happen at the plate made his cards double in price during Spring Training. Lombard's 1st Bowman auto can be found in 2024 Bowman Baseball Price for a Raw 1st Bowman Auto Refractor /499: ~$180 Buy on eBay 10) Cam Smith: Houston Astros Cam Smith turned heads with a strong spring showing for the Astros, flashing the power and plate discipline that scouts have been raving about. In 8 games, Smith hit .400 with 2 home runs and 6 RBIs, making a real case as one of Houston's rising stars. Advertisement Cam's 1st Bowman Auto was released in 2024 Bowman Draft Price for a Raw 1st Bowman Auto Refractor /499: ~$250 Buy on eBay Whether these players break camp with the big club or spend a few more months in the minors, their spring performances have already shifted how collectors see them. And in a hobby that thrives on timing, being early matters. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, discover emerging trends, or just talk cards with people who know the difference between a fastball and a fast start— join us on Mantel.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
5 College Stars Heating Up the Card Market During March Madness
If you're surprised to hear that March Madness athletes even have sports cards, you're not alone. Until 2021, they didn't — at least not officially. That's because NCAA athletes weren't allowed to profit off their name, image, or likeness (NIL). But with the rise of NIL, companies like Topps have stepped in to produce cards for top college prospects through sets like Bowman Chrome University and Topps Chrome McDonald's All-American. But here's the kicker: not every player has cards. And not every player with cards made the tournament. So we did the homework for you. Here are five players, not named Paige Bueckers, with officially licensed cards and March Madness momentum — who are already making waves in the hobby. When Queen hit a game-winning shot with 3.7 seconds left to send Maryland to the Sweet 16, his card prices took flight. The projected lottery pick has solidified his reputation as the embodiment of clutch, with a huge matchup against No. 1 seed Florida ahead. Queen was recently included in 2024 Topps McDonald's All-American set alongside other rising stars like Dylan Harper, Cooper Flag and Sarah Strong. Best Card: 2024 Topps McDonald's All-American Gold Auto /50 Find it on eBay → Averaging nearly 25 points per game, JuJu is no stranger to the hobby, and she is looking to cement her status as one of the best college players ever with a Championship this March. She first appeared in 2022-23 Topps Chrome University Basketball but was overshadowed at the time by first Bowman's of Victor Wembanyama and Caitlin Clark. She also had autos later in 2023 Mcdonalds All-American with Bronny James. Best Card: 2022-23 Topps Chrome University 1st Bowman Autograph Gold /50 Find it on eBay → UConn freshman Sarah Strong joins a stacked Huskies roster alongside Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd, but she's making a name for herself fast — both on the court and in the hobby. Sarah's stat line from her first Tournament game should be quick confirmation if you're on the fence about investing. She posted 20 points, with 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocks. For UConn fans who might not want to drop $400 on a Paige Bueckers auto, you can find Sarah's cards much more reasonably priced in 2024 Topps McDonald's All-American. Best Card: 2024 Topps McDonald's All-American Gold Auto /50 Find it on eBay → A Cinderella story if there ever was one: The team, who held open tryouts a year ago and had to forfeit 2 games because they couldn't field a team, is now playing in the Sweet 16 after not making the Tournament since 2010. A huge part of that turnaround was Hailey Van Lith, Big 12's Player of the year. Hailey's 1st Bowman Auto first appeared as she played for LSU in 2023-24 Bowman Chrome University. Best Card: 2023-24 Topps Chrome University 1st Bowman Auto /50 Find it on Ebay → No March Madness Hobby list would be complete without Cooper Flagg. The Duke phenom and top NBA prospect has been the name to watch in college hoops — and his hobby hype is very real. His first official cards recently appeared in 2024 Topps McDonald's All-American. Best Card: 2024 Topps McDonald's All-American Gold Auto /50 Find it on eBay → Honorable Mentions: Kiki Rice (UCLA) and Lauren Betts (UCLA) Bowman prospecting isn't just for baseball anymore. Just as baseball collectors reopen their old Bowman boxes during Spring Training, you can expect to see a lot of Basketball collectors doing the same during March Madness looking to strike gold in the years to come. Got one of their cards? Share it on Mantel — we'd love to see what you're holding.
