Introduction
The sports card market continues to show incredible momentum in 2025, outpacing traditional investments like stocks and even cryptocurrency. With the NFL season officially underway, collectors and investors are keeping a close eye on which players’ performances are driving card values to new heights.
This week’s Top 5 Sports Cards by Sports Card Investor and Market Movers list features a mix of football, baseball, and basketball stars making major moves in the market. But before we dive into the players, let’s look at how the overall market is trending.
Sports Card Market Pulse: September 2025
According to the latest Market Movers data, the sports card market is not just strong, it’s thriving:
-
SEI 500 Index (500 of the most prominent sports cards) is up 1.3% over the past 7 days.
-
Over the last 30 days, the index has climbed 6.6%.
-
Year-to-date, the market is up nearly 23%.
This growth far outpaces traditional investment vehicles like the stock market and even cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin. With that momentum in mind, let’s break down the top five trending cards of the week.
Top 5 Sports Cards on the Rise This Week
#5: Nolan McLean (New York Mets Pitcher)
Rookie pitchers rarely make waves this quickly, but Nolan McLean has forced collectors to take notice. The Mets’ young star is off to a blistering 4-0 start with a 1.37 ERA across his first four outings. His poise on the mound and ability to adjust mid-game have fueled excitement about his long-term potential.
Card investors are seeing immediate results:
-
2025 Bowman Mega Box Chrome Prospect Auto (Raw) → up 437% in 30 days, now selling around $200 (previously $37).
-
Blue Refractor /150 (Raw) → up 400%, now around $250.
-
Green Refractor /99 (Raw) → up from $75 to $300.
Mlan’s dominance is creating one of the fastest-growing markets for any rookie in baseball right now.
#4: Thomas Castellanos (Florida State Quarterback)
College football fans are buzzing about Thomas Castellanos, who transferred from Boston College to Florida State and instantly became the starting quarterback. His Week 1 victory over Alabama, where he threw for 152 yards and rushed for 78, catapulted his hobby profile.
Card performance highlights include:
-
2024 Bowman Chrome University First Prospect Auto (PSA 10) → up 293%, now selling at $110.
-
Raw versions → affordable, still between $15–$25, but up nearly 50% in the past month.
-
Refractors (numbered to 150 or 299) → climbing fast, often trading between $30–$50.
Castellanos’ mix of passing and rushing ability has collectors betting on his long-term potential.
#3: Quentin Johnston (Los Angeles Chargers Wide Receiver)
After a rocky rookie season filled with dropped passes, Quentin Johnston is finally living up to his first-round draft hype. In the Chargers’ season-opening upset against the Chiefs, Johnston hauled in 5 passes for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns, instantly reigniting excitement.
His cards responded quickly:
-
2023 Donruss Downtown (PSA 10) → up from $330 to $441.
-
Prism Silver (PSA 10) → up from $16 to $45, a jump of 181%.
-
Various rookie parallels and inserts → small but steady increases across the board.
Johnston’s chemistry with Justin Herbert could keep his market climbing throughout the season.
#2: Ben Rice (New York Yankees First Baseman)
The Yankees’ latest breakout star, Ben Rice, has solidified his role as a cornerstone bat in the lineup. His 20th home run of the season, combined with clutch performances against the Cardinals and Blue Jays, has skyrocketed his card values.
Recent price moves:
-
2025 Topps Base (PSA 10) → up 32%, recently sold at $50.
-
2025 Topps Chrome Rookie Autograph (Raw) → up from $40 to $64.
-
Topps Chrome Refractor Auto /499 (Raw) → surged past $161 from under $100.
Rice’s power and consistency make him one of the most exciting young players for both Yankees fans and collectors.
#1: Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts Quarterback)
In a shocking twist, Daniel Jones headlines this week’s list. After joining the Colts on a one-year deal and winning the starting QB job, Jones delivered a stellar Week 1 performance:
-
22/29 passes completions for 272 yards
-
2 rushing touchdowns
-
33–8 win over the Dolphins
That one game was enough to light up the card market:
-
2018 Select XRC Prizm (PSA 10) → doubled from $50 to $100.
-
2019 Donruss Base (PSA 10) → up from $15–$20 to $21.
-
2019 Prism Silver (PSA 10) → up from $82 to $129.
-
Prism Silver Auto (Raw) → up 122%, from $42 to $93.
Collectors who stuck with Jones are finally seeing a payoff. This is a textbook example of how one game can reshape a player’s card market overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are sports card prices so volatile?
Sports card prices often mirror on-field performance, hype cycles, and collector demand. A breakout game or slump can swing values by 50% or more in days.
2. Which sport offers the best ROI for card investors?
Currently, football and baseball are leading the way, with rookie quarterbacks and young MLB hitters generating the most dramatic gains.
3. Are rookie cards always the best investment?
Yes, rookie cards usually hold the highest long-term value, especially parallels and autographs. However, rare inserts and refractors of veteran stars can also perform strongly.
4. Should I buy raw or graded cards?
Graded cards (PSA, BGS, SGC) provide more security and often higher resale value. Raw cards can be profitable if you grade them and achieve high marks.
5. How do I track card price changes?
Tools like Market Movers (available at Sports Card Investor) provide real-time sales data, charts, and market insights.
Conclusion
The sports card market is thriving, with breakout performances and unexpected heroes driving major price spikes. This week’s list shows the power of timing, whether it’s Daniel Jones shocking collectors, Quentin Johnston proving doubters wrong, or Ben Rice delivering clutch hits for the Yankees.
For collectors and investors alike, staying ahead of these trends is crucial. Whether you’re holding rookie refractors, PSA 10 gems, or raw bargains, the right timing can double or even triple your investment in just weeks.
---------------------------------------------------