As the 2025 MLB season swings into gear, fans and collectors alike are buzzing with excitement over a fresh crop of burgeoning stars looking to make their mark on the diamond. Last year’s breakout rookies like Paul Skenes, Jackson Merrill, Jackson Chourio, and Wyatt Langford set a high bar with their impressive debuts, leaving card collectors scrambling to get their hands on these new golden tickets, only to watch them skyrocket in value. This year, another group of talented athletes is ready to take center stage, bringing with them the promise of stellar performance and potentially lucrative collectible cards. Let’s delve into the profiles of seven intriguing Rookie of the Year candidates and the essential cards that document their journeys in the big leagues.
First on the list is Boston Red Sox’s Kristian Campbell, a player whose trajectory is a shining example of determination meeting opportunity. Originally an overlooked fourth-round draft selection, Campbell didn’t waste any time proving his critics wrong. With a formidable .330/.439/.558 line, 20 homers, and 24 steals in Triple-A, Campbell secured a formidable eight-year, $60 million deal. His signature 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft Autograph is a card that early investors treasure, representing a pivotal step in the young athlete’s speedy ascent.
Next up is Dylan Crews of the Washington Nationals. Known for his tenure as the top college bat in 2023, Crews swings with commanding power and speed, skills that were honed at LSU, where he boasted a striking .426/.567/.713 in his college days. Despite a slightly turbulent start in the pros, this number two overall pick from the draft is poised to come into his own this season. Collectors will be eyeing his debut cards, along with previous editions like the nostalgic Panini Stars & Stripes USA Baseball from 2018, as they hold their breath for his breakout moment.
Then there’s Jasson Domínguez, famously dubbed “The Martian,” whose extraterrestrial talents have been under whispered hype since he signed with the New York Yankees in 2019. Domínguez has been somewhat of a collector’s conundrum with nearly 20,000 Bowman Chrome Prospects cards graded by PSA, half of which earned the desirable Gem Mint 10 status. Given the rarity of such grading, this truly heats up the conversation around Jasson as he looks to unleash his full potential in the sporting mecca that is New York.
Roki Sasaki of the Los Angeles Dodgers is another exciting prospect, promising a pitcher’s prowess not often seen. Sasaki’s journey began in the Japanese BBM and Topps NPB card sets, making those editions a particularly rare and valuable find for early collectors. Enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting his U.S. card releases, but those early international versions are whispers of what may soon become the captivating shout of Sasaki’s talent stateside.
Fourth on our watchlist is the Chicago Cubs’ Matt Shaw, a polished hitter who made fans quick to cheer with his .284/.379/.488 line and 21 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A tours. His invitation to Chicago’s Opening Day roster bodes well for his baseball journey, and the definitive card to watch here is the 2023 Bowman Chrome Draft autograph, considered a quintessential piece for any keen collector’s portfolio, much to the excitement of those following Shaw’s career.
For the Houston Astros, Cam Smith’s story is one wrapped in trading and transformation. After a standout season at Florida State, he jumped into the first round with enthusiasm, only to find himself acquired by Houston. Though not yet heavy with Topps flagship cards, his Bowman Chrome Draft from 2024 continues to hold its ground as his key release, with the Panini Prospect Edition offering a more budget-friendly entry into his collectibles.
Last but not least, we have Jacob Wilson, the Oakland Athletics shortstop and son of former All-Star Jack Wilson. The younger Wilson’s dazzling college tenure propelled him swiftly into the majors, and while market size may temper national hype, collectors are betting on a hot start to ignite fervent demand for his Bowman Chrome auto. With family legacy adding to his allure, Jacob Wilson’s collectibles could surprise many with both their reach and rise.
The 2025 MLB season stands to be rich with drama, triumphs, and thrilling plays, and these seven rookies are set to be at the heart of the action. For baseball card collectors and fans keeping a keen eye on the future, snapping up the right cards at the right time could well be a sage strategy, one potentially peppered with the sweet rewards of both passion and profit. These players may just be the pivotal figures who remind us why the love of baseball—and the cards that capture its journey—endures season after season.
