Prospecting is a major aspect of the baseball card world. People are always looking for players that could be the next Mike Trout or Hall of Famer. Here are some tips that will save you time and money when prospecting!
Age of the Player:
Age is a major category that comes into play when scouting for the correct baseball card to buy. Collectors want the next Juan Soto or Ronald Acuna Jr., players who broke into the league at a very young age. For example, Juan Soto was just 19 when he made his MLB debut.
The younger the player, the greater collectibility the player will receive. Remember, no one wants a rookie card of a 33-year-old player. Generally, a rule of thumb would be to collect rookies under the age of 24.
Team Player Plays For:
Team factors into the value of a card on the market. What teams are non-baseball watchers most likely to know? Maybe the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, etc. Players on high-market teams are generally going to go for higher prices, due to the high number of fans and a sense of prestige player on a known team.
Examples of Lower-Market Teams:
- Oakland Athletics
- Kansas City Royals
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- etc.
What Position the Player plays:
Collectors want to see their investments play a high-role on their respected teams. Positions that allow for highlight reel plays. An example being an outfielder or a short stop.
- Is the player playing everyday (unlike a starter or relief pitcher)
- Is the player getting opportunities on their team?
Who are you collecting?