In the ever-evolving world of baseball card collecting, grading trends serve as a window into the hearts and minds of both collectors and enthusiasts. Elly De La Cruz, a prominent MLB rookie, emerged as a frontrunner in the first ten months of 2024, boasting a staggering 93,194 graded cards by November 4. His popularity among collectors was undeniable, positioning him as a sought-after figure in the market. Trailing closely behind were National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes and top prospect Jackson Holliday, as per data analyzed by Baseball America sourced from Gemrate.com.
According to Ryan Stuczynski, the founder of Gemrate, De La Cruz’s immense presence in the grading market truly made him a coveted figure in 2024. In comparison, even the American League MVP Aaron Judge held 75,545 graded cards during the same timeframe. However, the gold standard was set by none other than the National League MVP Shohei Ohtani, with a remarkable 231,783 cards graded in the first ten months of 2024. His status as the most collectible player in the hobby was solidified, with a cumulative total of 740,000 graded cards, placing him second only to the legendary Ken Griffey Jr. This exceptional grading activity for Ohtani showcased an unparalleled level of interest in his cards, positioning him as a dominant force in the market.
The world of baseball card collecting also shines a spotlight on future stars and top prospects, with Jasson Dominguez leading the pack in total graded cards among Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects for 2024. Dylan Crews and Walker Jenkins followed closely behind, highlighting the growing interest in the up-and-coming talents of the sport. The data effectively captures how the hype surrounding new prospects and standout rookies can drive collectors to swarm around their cards, influencing grading trends significantly.
The essential grading data is aggregated from the major players in the card-collecting industry, including PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), BGS (Beckett Grading Services), ISA (International Sports Authentication), SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation), and CGC (Certified Guaranty Company). These companies’ involvement underscores the extensive reach of grading trends across the collecting hobby, reflecting not just the performance of players but also the sentiment of collectors in the market.
Understanding grading trends proves to be crucial for collectors, providing valuable insights into player popularity, market demand, and potential investment opportunities. For rookies and prospects, robust grading activity often translates into heightened collector interest and escalating card values. Superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge dominate the market landscape with their undeniable star power, creating an unprecedented level of activity in the market.
As the baseball card market continues to evolve in 2024, these players will undoubtedly continue to make waves both on the field and in the hearts of collectors. By staying informed about grading trends and player performances, collectors can navigate the market confidently, whether they are chasing after rookies like De La Cruz or investing in the potential future stars like Dominguez.
