Introduction
Welcome, fellow collectors and investors, to this week’s pulse check in the sports card market. With football in full swing, postseason baseball drama, and basketball’s new season on the horizon, there’s no shortage of excitement fueling price action across the hobby. In this edition of Top Five Cards by Sports Card Investor, we break down the biggest movers and surprises in the card world, spotlighting both emerging stars and eye-opening surges across football, baseball, and basketball.
Whether you’re actively buying, holding, or just curious about market trends, this update provides a clear window into what’s catching heat and what’s cooling off in the real-time world of card investing.
Sports Card Market Pulse
Before opening our Top 5, here’s a quick snapshot of the broader market landscape:
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The SEI 500 index, which tracks 500 of the most prominent sports cards, is down slightly over the past 7 days with -1.3% but remains strong over the past 30 days with +1.3%.
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Year-to-date, the index is up around 27% since January 1, a solid gain for the hobby.
The moral? The overall trend is positive, but individual card trajectories can diverge sharply. Stay vigilant, track comps, and don’t ride hype blindly.
Top 5 Cards to Watch This Week
5. Dillon Gabriel
Dillon Gabriel, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, took over as the starter after Joe Flacco’s shaky run. Several of his rookie and autograph cards are seeing double-digit gains:
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2021 Bowman University Chrome Prospect Auto (raw): +32% over the last 30 days
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2025 Donruss Rated Rookie Auto (raw): +53% over the last 30 days
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2025 Elite base rookie /999 (raw): recently sold for $9.50 up from $1 a few weeks ago
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2025 Origins Rookie Jumbo Patch Auto (raw): $53, up from $32 a few weeks ago
If Gabriel stabilizes as a starter, the upside could be strong.
4. Zion Williamson
Zion of the New Orleans Pelicans is back in the spotlight after announcing he’s healthy and ready for a big year. Collectors are reacting:
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2019 Optic Blue Velocity (PSA 10): +33% over the last 30 days
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2019 Prizm Silver (PSA 10): recent sale $396 from $28 30 days ago
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2019 Prizm Red/White/Blue (PSA 10): +71% over the last 30 days
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2019 Prizm base (PSA 10): +68% over the last 30 days
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2023 Optic Slammy (PSA 10): +144% a few weeks ago
However, over a multi-year view, many Zion cards haven’t regained their 2020 highs. The recent gains are encouraging but come with risk.
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vlad has powered the Toronto Blue Jays deep into October with clutch hitting and a postseason grand slam. His cards are catching fire:
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2016 Bowman Chrome Prospects base (PSA 10): $72 from $41 a few weeks ago
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2016 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto (PSA 10): $683 from $550 a few weeks ago
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2019 Topps Chrome Rookie Refractor (PSA 10): $90 up from $30–$50 a few weeks ago
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2025 Bowman Anime SSP (raw): $150 was $78 30 days ago
When postseason heroes emerge, card markets tend to reward them hard and fast.
2. Roki Sasaki
Sasaki Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers, had a limited start early this year due to injury, but he’s back and shone in the 2025 NLDS. His card gains reflect that:
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2025 Bowman Etched in Glass SSP (raw): $246 from $135 a few weeks ago
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2025 Topps Chrome Rookie Auto Refractor /499 (raw): $465 was $200 a few weeks ago
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2025 Topps Chrome Fanatical SSP (raw): $31 from $24 30 days ago
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2025 Topps Chrome Sapphire base (raw): $35 from $10 just 30 days ago
This kind of surge from a rookie pitcher performing in October is exactly what collectors hunt for.
1. Jaxson Dart & Cam Skattebo
Combining a rookie QB and a breakout RB of the New York Giants gives these two a dynamic synergy in the market:
Cam Skattebo
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2024 Bowman Chrome University First Auto: +133% in the last 30 days
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2025 Elite Pink (raw): $25 from $5 a few weeks ago
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2025 Origins Rookie Jumbo Patch Auto (raw): $244 from $65 just 30 days ago
Jaxson Dart
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2024 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Auto (raw): $200 from $67 just 30 days ago
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2025 Donruss Downtown (raw): up nearly 80%, the most recent sale $2,285, which was $1,275
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2025 Elite Pink (raw): $25 from $10 a few weeks ago
These two rookies, especially when playing together, are gaining serious collector attention. Their card values are already reflecting the hype, and if their on-field production matches, their cards may be among the biggest stories of the season.
Key Takeaways & Strategy Tips
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Momentum matters, but context rules. Volatility is inevitable. Use indices like SEI 500 and tools like Market Movers from Sports Card Investor to gauge whether a card’s rise is part of a broader trend or a local spike.
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Performance drives hype. Whether it’s playoff impact or a breakout role, real on-field success still tends to fuel the biggest surges.
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Diversify wisely. It’s tempting to chase the flashiest jumps, but balancing vintage, rookies, and mid-tier names can help mitigate risk.
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Time your entries and exits. Use features like Price Alerts and Market Pulse in card platforms to flag when cards break out or begin cooling.
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Stay cautious with narratives. Just because a card is up big doesn’t mean the trend will last. Use data, not hype.
Conclusion
This week’s Top 5 reflects the thrilling dual nature of the sports card market: some names are cooling fast (especially due to injuries), while others are heating up. From Dillon Gabriel’s breakout momentum, Zion’s comeback hype, Vlad Jr.’s postseason heroics, Sasaki’s rookie surge, to the explosive pairing of Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo, there are multiple plays worth watching closely.
Track your holdings, monitor comps, use tools like Market Movers, and understand the difference between hype and sustainable value. The overall market might be up 27% year-to-date, but real profit (or losses) happen in the details.
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