As baseball fans eagerly anticipate the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd with the dawn of spring training, a select group of savvy collectors and investors are busy studying cardboard rectangles, weighing the potential of investing in the forgotten corners of major league talent. Their focus? Four hidden gems poised to make a quiet storm in the 2025 MLB season. As the season is about to bloom, now’s the time to pounce on undervalued baseball cards that could bring outsize returns if these players channel their inner legends.
First on the radar is Brandon Pfaadt of the Arizona Diamondbacks. His name might make you do a double take, and not just because spelling bee enthusiasts might find him fascinating. Despite having underwhelming stats that don’t exactly jump off the page (a career 5.06 ERA can make one wistful for the ghost of spring training past), Pfaadt is poised for a beautiful breakout. His numbers morph into tantalizing intrigue when you peek under the statistical hood of 2024: his ERA slims to 4.71, but hey, his xERA and FIP are tightening at 3.78 and 3.61, respectively. We’re talking about a pitcher who generates strikeouts while limiting walks—9.04 K/9 versus a tidy 2.2 BB/9.
The real kicker? He’s not shouldering the weighty expectations of an ace. With beasts like Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly on deck, Brandon can develop at his own pace, aiming for that frontline starter glory. His rookie cards remain ludicrously cheap, a minor investment now, a potential goldmine later.
Consider these must-watches: 2023 Topps Chrome Rookie Card, 2023 Topps Chrome Update Rookie Card, and 2020 Bowman Draft 1st Bowman Card.
Next up is the Pittsburgh Pirates’ very own Jared Jones—a name that doesn’t quite raise eyebrows, but his cards should most definitely raise some interest. In the burgeoning excitement of Pittsburgh’s rotation, Jones often goes unnoticed, his quiet overshadowing hiding his luminous potential.
His 2024 was an enigmatic showcase: a promising 4.14 ERA accentuated by a sleeker 4.05 xERA and an FIP of 4.00. He unleashed a mean two-seamer, complementing an already sizzling fastball and slider combo. For reasons beguiling logic, his Topps Chrome Rookie Auto /499 languishes at $30. For a pitcher brimming with first-tier oomph, this is an investment gem basking under everyone’s noses.
His cards to eye include: 2024 Topps Chrome Rookie Card, 2024 Topps Chrome Update Series Rookie Card, and the illustrious 2020 Bowman Draft 1st Bowman Card.
From the Broadway stage of hidden talents comes another scintillating show: Heston Kjerstad of the Baltimore Orioles. A farm system choc-full of talent has doused Kjerstad with anonymity, but waste not your lamentations yet—for he’s an overlooked talent with major upside.
While his major league appearances have been a scant wisp, his minor league shenanigans have been nothing short of electric. His 2024 statistics tell tales of .303/.401/.584 splits with 16 home runs and talent aching for the major league spotlight. If the Orioles’ crowded lineup situation can find it in their hearts to grant him regular playing time—perhaps a DH scheme lurking—his card values might explode—to the chagrin of those who missed the boat.
Kjerstad’s offerings in card collecting potential include: 2024 Topps Chrome Rookie Card, 2024 Topps Chrome Update Series Rookie Card, and 2020 Bowman Draft 1st Bowman Card.
Last, but by no means least, behold Kerry Carpenter of the Detroit Tigers—a wrecking ball of power obscured by the dull patinas of apparent indifference. Defined by a disappointing streak of back issues in 2024, Carpenter’s resilience shined: 18 home runs and 57 RBI in 87 appearances spoke louder than whispers of injury.
As the supposed anchor of Detroit’s lineup with talents like Gleyber Torres atop the order, Kerry’s power could finally hulk into view. His underdog rookie autos sit unmoored in the market’s undulating ocean, waiting to be seized by those with foresight.
Watch out for: 2023 Topps Chrome Rookie Card, 2023 Topps Chrome Purple Auto /250 with its mere $49 price tag, and the alluring 2023 Topps Chrome Aqua Wave Auto /199 PSA-graded card.
With the 2025 MLB season looming, these unexpected stars sit ready to challenge expectations and sweep collectors off their feet. Their cards, momentarily affordable, present the perfect chance to stake a claim before the market surges in a gleeful uproar of future folk tales. So temper your doubts, fanfare your investments and snatch up these hidden gems before they waltz into the spotlight, ensuring that your collection or resell bank account basks in warm victory before the hype storm arrives. Act now, while others sleep on these golden opportunities suspended in time on colored paper.
