From prospect to pro: How an MLB debut impact a player’s card prices

The baseball card market has seen significant movement this week with several highly anticipated MLB debuts. As young prospects make their first appearances in the big leagues, collectors are quickly adjusting their portfolios to capitalize on these emerging stars. This week's standouts include players from the Athletics, Tigers, Yankees, Rockies, and Rays organizations, with noticeable market trends developing around their rookie and prospect cards…some are more profitable than others. Let's examine the latest developments for these fresh MLB talents and how their rookie cards are performing in the current market.

Nick Kurtz – Athletics

30 Day 1st Bowman Auto increase | +100%

Nick Kurtz has yet to make his MLB debut with the Athletics but it was announced that the no. 1 prospect in the A’s system received his first big league call up on April 22, 2025, and collectors have taken notice. The fourth overall pick in last year's draft out of Wake Forest has skyrocketed through the minors. As a highly touted prospect, his 2024 Bowman Draft Chrome DP Auto (1st) card has been a standout in the market, with PSA 10 graded versions seeing a modest increase of 27.1% over the past 30 days. The latest sale reached $350.00, while raw versions continue to trade around $150 up from ~$75 a month prior, a 100% increase. His rapid rise through the minor leagues and approaching debut with the Athletics have maintained steady collector interest, ensuring consistent demand for his rookie cards. (shop Nick Kurtz cards on eBay)

Jace Jung – Detroit Tigers

30 Day 1st Bowman Auto increase | +27%

Jace Jung made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers on August 16, 2024, and his 2022 Bowman Prospects #BP53 has quickly become a sought-after card. Following his debut, Jung's rookie cards have seen a notable uptick in value, despite his lackluster 34 games in 2024 where he hit .241. As a highly touted prospect throughout his minor league career (No. 4 Detroit Prospect to finish 2024), Jung's transition to the major leagues has been closely watched by fans and collectors alike, making his rookie cards hot commodities in the current market. Over the past 30 days his 2022 Bowman Draft #CDA-JJ Chrome DP Auto (1st) has gone up in price over 27% with the last sale recorded on 4/20/25 at $89.99. After the 2022 draft, Jung’s first round of Bowman autos were catching sale prices around $100 thanks to him being the 12th overall pick. With this latest call-up, Jung looks to prove he can compete at the Major League level for a full season. (shop Jace Jung cards on eBay)

Caleb Durbin – Milwaukee Brewers

30 Day 1st Bowman Auto increase | +73%

Caleb Durbin was a 14th-round pick by the New York Yankees in the 2021 draft and didn’t get his first Bowman auto until 2024—a true testament to perseverance. Even more impressive, Durbin was drafted out of a Division III college (Washington University in St. Louis). He was later traded from New York to Milwaukee in a deal that sent star closer Devin Williams to the Yankees. The utility infielder made his Major League debut with the Brewers on April 18, 2025, and has since posted a .250 batting average while slugging his first big league homer. Durbin will have the opportunity to earn more playing time in Milwaukee’s infield this season, and collectors have responded accordingly. The Caleb Durbin 1st Bowman Chrome auto has jumped 73% over the past 30 days, with base versions previously selling for around $25. (shop Caleb Durbin Cards on eBay)

Zac Veen – Colorado Rockies

30 Day 1st Bowman Auto increase | 28% -> 0%

Zac Veen made his highly anticipated MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies on April 8, 2025, sparking notable movement in the card market. The former first-round pick has been one of Colorado's most promising outfield prospects in recent years, but collectors have been cautious due to his inconsistency throughout his minor league career. His 2020 Bowman Draft Chrome DP Auto #CDA-ZV, considered his true rookie card with the sought-after "1st Bowman" designation, has only moved slightly since his call-up. PSA 10 graded examples have recently commanded prices up to $144.99, but the steady appreciation has dipped 10.3% in recent sales. For those seeking his signature card, the 2020 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto, raw prices hit $45 after his call up, compared to $35 a month prior, a 28% increase. Veen’s 2025 campaign was off to a blistering start in AAA slashing .387/.472/.677, but his first 12 games in the MLB have been humbling with Veen’s batting average cooling around .118 before being sent back down to the minors. His 1st Bowman auto prices have returned to their previous ~$30-$35 range as of this article. (Shop Zac Veen Cards on eBay)

Chandler Simpson – Tampa Bay Rays

30 Day 1st Bowman Auto increase | 7.7%

Chandler Simpson made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on April 19, 2025, immediately showcasing the elite speed that made him a standout prospect. His 2022 Bowman Draft Chrome First Bowman Auto has become his most sought-after card, with recent sales showing a 7.7% increase since his call-up (Last sale on 4/20 at $140.00). Raw copies are now trading in the $20-75 range, while graded PSA 10 examples have reached the $200+ mark. Simpson's exceptional baserunning abilities and solid contact skills have created significant buzz among collectors, particularly those who value speed-focused prospects with high stolen base potential. However collectors were conservative with the second round draft pick from Georgia Tech right after the 2022 draft; with Simpson's Blue Refractor Signed RC only catching auction bids around $90. In the minors, Simpson established himself as a contact hitter with the ability to bat over .300 and speed shown by his record setting 104 stolen bases during the 2024 MiLB season. In just 12 Major League at-bats, Simpson has already notched four hits and two stolen bases. (Shop Chandler Simpson cards on eBay)

The 2025 rookie card market continues to showcase both its volatility and potential for significant returns, as seen in the contrasting trajectories of our featured players. While Zac Veen's return to the minors is likely to send his prices plummeting, many collectors will view it as a major buying opportunity. Nick Kurtz, on the other hand, has seen his card prices skyrocket following his rapid ascent from 2024 Bowman Draft standout to 2025 MLB rookie. Chandler Simpson is an example of an extremely hot prospect whose card prices had already priced in an MLB debut—it was only a matter of time. His case reminds collectors that when a player is that hyped, the market often anticipates their debut before it happens. Meanwhile, Caleb Durbin’s surprising emergence from Division III baseball highlights how overlooked talents can sometimes deliver the most impressive returns.

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37 rookies have received the call they’ve been waiting for their entire lives just in the month of April. For those navigating this dynamic marketplace, balancing prospect potential against actual MLB performance will remain the key challenge as these young careers develop throughout the 2025 season.

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