In the world of baseball card collecting, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to grading trends. It’s not just about market activity, but also about which players are stealing the spotlight. As we delve into the first 10 months of 2024, one name stood out among MLB rookies – Elly De La Cruz. With a staggering 93,194 graded cards by November 4, De La Cruz has become a favorite among collectors, showcasing his immense popularity.
Hot on his heels are National League Rookie of the Year, Paul Skenes, and top prospect Jackson Holliday, as per data from Gemrate.com analyzed by Baseball America. “Elly was the big chase in 2024, and his supply highlights that,” shares Gemrate founder Ryan Stuczynski. Comparing the numbers, even American League MVP Aaron Judge falls slightly behind with 75,545 graded cards over the same period.
But the true gold standard in the grading world belongs to National League MVP, Shohei Ohtani. With an astounding 231,783 cards graded in the first 10 months of 2024 alone, Ohtani has solidified his status as the most collectible player in the hobby. Stuczynski notes, “Grading activity for Ohtani is unlike anything we’ve seen in the baseball category.” Ohtani’s cumulative total of 740,000 graded cards places him second all-time, trailing only Ken Griffey Jr.
Turning our attention to prospects, Jasson Dominguez leads Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects in total graded cards for 2024. Dylan Crews and Walker Jenkins follow suit, reflecting the escalating interest in baseball’s upcoming stars. This data highlights the impact of hype on the baseball card market, with collectors rushing to acquire cards of rising prospects and standout rookies.
The grading data is sourced from the major grading companies in the card-collecting industry, including PSA, BGS, ISA, SGC, and CGC. Each company’s contribution underscores the extensive reach of grading trends across the hobby, showcasing the influence of player performance and collector sentiment.
Grading numbers serve as a valuable tool for understanding player popularity, market demand, and potential investment opportunities. Strong grading activity for rookies and prospects often correlates with heightened collector interest and appreciating card values. Players like Ohtani and Judge dominate the market, triggering unmatched activity due to their star power.
For collectors, keeping an eye on grading trends is essential for navigating the market, whether you’re pursuing rookies like De La Cruz or prospecting on future stars like Dominguez. Armed with this data, collectors can better forecast which players have the potential to become the next big hobby icons.
As we move forward in 2024, the baseball card market is sure to keep evolving, with players like Ohtani, De La Cruz, and Dominguez making waves on and off the field. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the world of baseball card collecting.
