CBS Sports recently released a list of their top 25 rookies and prospects to watch for the 2009 fantasy baseball season.  You can see the full list here:  CBS
Sports’ Top 25 Rookies .  Of these rookies, which ones have the highest potential impact for card collectors and prospectors? 
 
To answer that question, we first need to look at which types of players seem to have the highest appeal to card collectors.  Here, we’re thinking about the short term, because you really won’t know if any of these prospects will turn in a Cal Ripken-esque career at this point.  Generally, power hitters and dominant starting pitchers are the guys that collectors go gaga over.  You might also want to include speed demons in this category (think of a guy like Jose Reyes, Vince Coleman or Rickey Henderson).  You don’t see collectors chasing after great fielders, outfielders with terrific arms, relief pitchers or even closers when it comes to rookies. 
 
Using the above criteria, we can narrow down our list of rookies to keep a close eye on.  Let’s take a look at (more…)

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With the expansion of the MLB rosters to 40 men, there will be several young players who are getting a chance to show their stuff in the bigs.  With that in mind, there will also be young player’s baseball cards which will increase in value as they prove that they can play with the best in the world.  Here are just a few of the recent call ups and some of their current baseball cards. (more…)

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Drafted 23rd overall by Boston in the 2005 draft, out of Oregon State, Jacoby Ellsbury burst onto the scene in 2007.  Ellsbury was called up to the majors three times and sent back to the minors twice in 2007.  He played the month of September in the majors and won the American League Rookie of the Month.  He’ll be eligible as a rookie in 2008, due to having less than 130 MLB regular season at-bats in 2007 (he had 116 regular season at-bats.)  He made the most of his time with the Sox during the regular season, batting .353 with three homers and 9 stolen bases.  If you saw any of the 2007 World Series, you know the potential this kid has.  He batted .438 with four doubles and a stolen bases in the Series.  Which Jacoby Ellsbury baseball cards should you be collecting or investing in now?  Well, take a look at these.

2005 Bowman Sterling Black Refractor # BS-JE (Auto’d to 25)

Sold for $750 on eBay

 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Auto

One of 500 cards.

Sold for $150 recently on eBay.

Was at roughly $50 in mint condition a year ago.  200% increase in value.

 

2007 Topps Update Rookie Error Card (#100*)

Atlhough the checklist for this Topps set lists card number 100 as Abraham Nunez, there were Jacoby Ellsbury cards that were inserted into production, also listed as number 100.  This card is rather rare and has become fairly valuable.  This same card went for $115 recently on eBay.  (* 100 is Abraham Nunez on the checklist.) 

Did you know…….like fellow phenom Joba Chamberlain, Jacoby Ellsbury is of Native American descent? 

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