Spring Training is that magical time of year when dreams of diamond glory stir in the hearts of baseball fans everywhere. As the 2025 MLB season looms on the horizon, savvy collectors and investors are eyeing potential goldmines hidden in plain sight: undervalued rookie baseball cards. These are the proverbial four-leaf clovers sneaking past the radar, just waiting for the right time to bloom and unfold their true potential.
Fortune, as they say, favors the bold—or in the case of baseball card investments, those with an eye for latent potential. Seen as a cross between an art form and an investment strategy, card collecting is part instinct, part insight, and always a leap of faith. The players we’re spotlighting may not yet command spotlight status, but they could soon be household names—and their cards, worthy of a prominent place in your portfolio.
Brandon Pfaadt of the Arizona Diamondbacks is something of a mystery wrapped in a riddle cloaked in potential. This right-handed pitcher has had an up-and-down start to his career, with a less-than-ster society-wide 5.06 ERA. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find gems glistening in the gravel. In 2024, Pfaadt posted a more promising 4.71 ERA—not stellar, but indicative of future potential—with a stronger 3.78 xERA and 3.61 FIP. His strikeout rate of 9.04 K’s per 9 innings combined with a disciplined control of 2.2 walks per 9 innings, paints the picture of a pitcher ready to refine his craft.
The beauty for collectors and investors is that Pfaadt is a pitcher burdened not by the limelight but by learning. With esteemed colleagues like Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen setting the pace for the Diamondbacks, Pfaadt can hone his craft without undue pressure—likely leading to an impressive leap soon. His rookie cards—particularly the 2023 Topps Chrome series—are ripe for the taking and, fittingly, are so affordable you might mistake them for salmon at the supermarket’s bargain bin.
Similarly intriguing is Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who, much like the storied treasures of his team’s namesake, might just make you rich if you strike while the iron is hot. Often overshadowed by his more hyped teammates, Jones has quietly put together a 2024 season boasting a 4.14 ERA refined with an xERA of 4.05, revealing an underrated wizardry at work.
Jones has expanded his pitching repertoire with the addition of a zesty two-seamer, complementing his arsenal like adding a secret sauce to an already spicy dish. For now, you can snag his Topps Chrome Rookie Auto /499 for a mere $30—cheap enough to give even Ebenezer Scrooge a spending itch. Should Jones’s command continue to improve, and his health holds, the value of his baseball cards is sure to vault skyward like a home run shot over a shallow fence.
Cue Heston Kjerstad from the Baltimore Orioles: A name that floats in perpetuity in the sea of talent emerging from the Orioles’ Agricultural Show—otherwise known as their farm system. Lauded for his consistency and power, Kjerstad slashed a formidable .303/.401/.584 across three minor league levels in 2024, hammering 16 home runs and driving in 61 runs for good measure. Imagine a cherry blossom full of untapped potential; Kjerstad has yet to shine in full bloom due to Baltimore’s current plethora of batting talent. If and when he secures a regular spot in the lineup, expect those cards to rise in value faster than a caffeine-stimulated bunny.
The 2024 Bowman Chrome editions featuring Kjerstad are especially tantalizing; recent scores of a gold refractor for $150 unlock sweet upside considering his booming potential. Keep an eye out for him to slot in as a designative hitter, a role crafted for unleashing his full power-hitting capability.
Finally, there’s the underrated power supplier Kerry Carpenter from Detroit Tigers—baseball’s equivalent of a high-quality import stuck in a domestic label. Despite sending 44 balls beyond stadium fences in 236 MLB games, Carpenter’s financial rivals still dub him a bargain shopper’s delight. His 18 homers in an injury-shortened 2024 season still underscore a player with untapped power—distilled in a hard-hit spike and encouraging HR/FB ratio.
Immersed in heart-of-the-order opportunities between sluggers like Gleyber Torres, Carpenter’s cards, notably the 2023 Topps Chrome and its flashy purple Auto counterpart, beg for financial favor, currently priced at $49. If Carpenter maintains even a whisper of health and performance, collectors bound ahead of the market will likely see their investments compound beyond their wildest imaginations.
If there’s one thing MLB fans have come to expect, it’s the delight of discovering new stars every season. The trick, strategically speaking, lies in finding those diamonds in the rough before they mature into marquee gems costing a king’s ransom. For now, these four players represent some of the hidden treasures waiting for the uninhibited dream chasers to act before the wider market takes notice. It’s what sets this hobby—that also happens to be a smart investment strategy—apart. To ignore this potential gold rush would be as regrettable as leaving a grand-slam moment mid-game.Get familiar with these names, position your portfolio wisely, and if fate favors your hand, the sweet sound of success could be yours to savor as the new season unfolds.
