In the world of collecting baseball cards, the grading trends unveiled some fascinating insights into which players are capturing the hearts of collectors across the globe. Leading the pack in the first 10 months of 2024 was none other than Elly De La Cruz, a rising star making waves among MLB rookies. With an impressive total of 93,194 graded cards, De La Cruz solidified his position as a sought-after commodity in the grading market. Not far behind were National League Rookie of the Year, Paul Skenes, and top prospect Jackson Holliday, both garnering significant attention from collectors according to data analyzed by Baseball America through Gemrate.com.
Gemrate founder, Ryan Stuczynski, shed some light on the impressive performance of De La Cruz, labeling him as the “big chase” of 2024. In comparison, the American League MVP, Aaron Judge, had 75,545 cards graded during the same period, highlighting the immense popularity of De La Cruz among collectors. However, the gold standard in grading belonged to none other than the National League MVP, Shohei Ohtani. With a staggering 231,783 cards graded in just the first 10 months of 2024, Ohtani’s status as the hobby’s most collectible player was reinforced.
Stuczynski emphasized, “Grading activity for Ohtani is unlike anything we’ve seen in the baseball category.” Ohtani’s cumulative total of 740,000 graded cards positioned him as second all-time, trailing only behind Ken Griffey Jr. Remarkably, based solely on the data from 2024, Ohtani would still rank 15th all-time in baseball card grading, showcasing his unparalleled popularity among collectors.
Turning the spotlight to prospects, Jasson Dominguez claimed the top spot in Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects with the highest total of graded cards for 2024. The likes of Dylan Crews and Walker Jenkins followed closely behind, indicating the growing interest in baseball’s budding talents. The data reinforced the significant impact of hype on the baseball card market, as collectors eagerly pursue cards of new prospects and standout rookies, propelling grading activity.
The grading data sourced from the major grading companies in the industry, such as PSA, BGS, ISA, SGC, and CGC, demonstrated the widespread influence of grading trends, capturing player performance metrics and collector sentiments alike. Grading trends offer valuable insights into player popularity, market demand, and potential investment opportunities. Robust grading activity for rookies and prospects frequently translates into heightened collector interest and appreciating card values. Superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge dictate the market with their immense star power, triggering unparalleled activity in the card-collecting realm.
Understanding grading trends is pivotal for collectors navigating the ever-evolving market, whether chasing after rookies like De La Cruz or investing in potential future stars like Dominguez. With such data at their disposal, collectors can strategize and anticipate which players may ascend to become the next iconic figures in the hobby.
As the baseball card market continues to evolve in 2024, these players will undoubtedly remain at the forefront, captivating enthusiasts both on and off the field. Stay tuned for more exciting developments as the season progresses.
