What a great couple of week in sports. The NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup playoffs, the U.S. Open are in progress or have passed and the MLB All-Star game is just weeks away. Summer is approaching and heating everything up, including cards. This list is one that takes a look at the past couple of weeks and what is hot in sports cards.
PuigMania has officially flown in from Cuba to the United States. Puig’s putting a missile crisis on baseballs and launching them out of Dodger Stadium. Puig was called up for the injured Carl Crawford and he is showing why he wants to stay. Puig was hitting .464 with 4 home runs in just 7 games at the end of last week. The Dodgers have been struggling, but they are beginning to come together recently.
Puig’s cards have been selling for crazy prices, from licensed to unlicensed. Licensed insert cards in 2013 Bowman like the Topps 100 insert are selling for over $50 after only hitting $5 last week and the same goes for his Mini Cream of the Crop refractor. Puig was announced as 2013 Bowman Lucky redemption #4 /100 autograph and that has been selling upwards of $900. Even Leaf Metal Draft autographs are selling for $250 and up. It’s safe to say there is hype around this guy.
2007-2008 SP Authentic Tuukka Rask Autographs
The Boston Bruins swept the Pittsburgh Penguins to go to the Stanley Cup Finals. Rask shutout the Penguins twice in the four games and had 26 saves in game four. Many believe that he has been the Bruins’ playoff MVP thus far. He could be up for a big pay raise once the playoffs are up.
Because of his heroics, Rask’s rookie cards and autographs have about tripled. His 2007-2008 Upper Deck SP autograph /999 was selling for just $40 last week and have garnished for as much as $130 recently. His 2007-08 Upper Deck Young Guns rookie card jumped from $13 to $35 shortly after the sweep.
2000 Topps Traded Miguel Cabrera Rookie Cards and Autographs
Can the Triple Crown winner from last year have an even better season this year? It’s quite possible the way Miguel Cabrera has been hitting as of late. He is leading the league in hits, runs and average and he has 18 home runs on the year.
Miguel Cabrera’s rookie cards have been selling for good money. His 2000 Topps Traded rookie card has jumped from $30 to $50 in the past week and his 2000 Topps Traded autograph topped $1,275 when it had sold for $660 at the beginning of May.
Zack Wheeler Rookie Autographs
Another hot shot out of New York, Zack Wheeler has the stuff to become the number two starter alongside Matt Harvey in the Mets’ rotation. He had a solid Major League debut on Tuesday going six innings and striking out seven while getting his first Major League win. As a result, his cards spiked. His 2009 Elite autographs jumped from $25 to $40, and his 2011 Bowman autographs went from $25 to $45. A 2009 Bowman Chrome orange refractor autograph sold for $710.
Domonic Brown Rookie Cards and Autographs
Although he made the list last week, Domonic Brown has been tearing it up even more recently. Who would have thought that the guy that was competing for a starting spot in Spring Training would be leading the National League in home runs with 18?
Because everyone loves the long ball, his rookie cards and autographs have been soaring. 2010 Bowman Sterling autographs have been topping $50 after selling for $20 last week. Any of his rookie cards are selling for over a buck now as well.
Mark Appel 2011 Topps USA Autographs
Mark Appel was thought to be the number 1 pick in last year’s MLB Draft, but because of his bonus demand, he slipped to number 8 and went unsigned. Appel returned to Stanford and continued to pitch like an ace. The Astros did not pass him up this time and drafted him number 1 overall.
Being drafted number 1 always increases prices. Appel’s 2011 Topps USA set autograph sold for $75 shortly after he was announced as the first selection. These were selling between $20-$30 just a week before, but they eventually leveled out to about $40. Appel reminds a lot of people of Mark Prior, but hopefully he has better luck with his health.
Bryant hit 31 home runs for the University of San Diego this year and he was expected to be drafted in the top 3. In a somewhat unexpected move, the Cubs drafted him number 2 after the industry predicted the Rockies to take him at number 3. Because Cubs prospects are usually more hyped than Rockies or Astros prospects, his cards saw a nice uptick. 2009 AFLAC autographs were selling for around $50 the week before the draft and sold for $80 after he was drafted. They were only selling for about $15 at this point last year (from experience). His 2012 and 2013 Panini USA autographs also saw an increase. Most of these sell for $50 now after only averaging $30 last week.
2010 Bowman Chrome Miguel Sano Autographs
Considered a top prospect for awhile now, Sano continues to show his raw power in the Minor Leagues. After hitting .330 with 16 home runs in High-A, he was promoted to Double-A. Not only is he considered a top prospect, he should be in the top five by the end of the year.
After an impressive week and his promotion announcement, Sano’s cards shot up. Base chrome autographs are up to $80 after selling for an average of $60 a couple of weeks ago.
2002 SP Authentic Justin Rose Autographs /2999
Justin Rose made a name for himself by winning the U.S. Open on Sunday and it also caused an increase in the price of his cards. His 2002 Sp Authentic autographs /2999 were up to $31 after selling for $5 last month.
2013 Bowman Chrome Byron Buxton Autographs
Buxton made headlines last week when he made an unbelievable catch and everybody assumed he was the next Ken Griffey Jr. He may not ever be that good, but people took notice to the comp and started picking up his cards. His 2013 Bowman base autographs shot up from around $110 to $130 in the past week whereas his refractor autographs /500 rose from $169 to $225.
2010 Bowman Chrome Jose Iglesias Autographs
Iglesias filled in nicely when Will Middlebrooks was on the Disabled List and is now hitting a whopping .446 in 74 at bats. Iglesias has always had a major league caliber glove, but his bat has always been the question. He only hit .257 in his Minor League career. He may only play a couple of times a week with Middlebrooks back in the Red Sox’s starting lineup.
Because of his hot bat and the fact that he plays for the Red Sox, Iglesias’ cards have about doubled in price. His base autographs sold for around $5-$8 last week and are now up between $15-$20.















