Elly De La Cruz: A Goldmine for Graded Card Investors
Introduction:
In the arena of baseball cards, there’s always a fresh face that spikes interest, elevating the market dynamics. The newest name on this horizon is Elly De La Cruz. As a rising baseball sensation, his rookie cards are fast becoming hot commodities. Investors, here’s why you should be eyeing his cards.
The Early Buzz:
Imagine being in the midst of a casual chat in a clubhouse and learning about your National League Player of the Week title – only 17 games into your major league career. This isn’t a fantasy, but De La Cruz’s reality. For card collectors, such prodigious talent early on hints at a high future value.
Reds’ Next Gem:
The Cincinnati Reds, a team undergoing a remarkable transition, is now blessed with De La Cruz’s prowess. While talents like Matt McLain have already made their mark, De La Cruz’s quick ascendancy signals a rewarding long-term investment for card enthusiasts. A collection that boasts of De La Cruz, McLain, Spencer Steer, and Andrew Abbott? That’s an investor’s dream lineup.
Why De La Cruz Stands Out:
At 6-foot-5, De La Cruz isn’t just another player. He possesses an intriguing mix of speed and unparalleled power, attributes that often turn ordinary cards into collector’s items. His influence has already been monumental, with the Reds winning 13 of his initial 17 games. For investors, this sort of momentum promises lucrative returns.
Showcasing Mastery:
A week’s stats: .440 batting average, coupled with enviable home runs and extra-base hits. For those who’ve been monitoring his prowess since spring training or his days at Class AAA Louisville, his cards’ potential value is evident. When baseball stalwarts like Joey Votto equate De La Cruz’s finesse to legends like Mickey Mantle, you know his rookie cards are bound to be classics.
More Than Stats:
De La Cruz is not just about numbers. His agility, exemplified by his outstanding performances, elevates the rarity and demand for his cards. His Dominican roots add a unique narrative to his cards, making them not just pieces of cardboard but stories of passion, talent, and heritage.
Without any further ado, let’s jump into this list!
#8. 2022 Topps Pro Debut – Elly De La Cruz RC
- Set: 2022 Topps Pro Debut
- Card Number: #PD189
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: August 2023
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Selling Price: $49
➡️ Compare the prices of this card on eBay
For those seeking an affordable entry into rookie prospect investing, Topps Pro Debut cards present a compelling choice. These cards uniquely showcase players in their minor league attire, capturing moments before they make it to the major leagues. For instance, Cruz is depicted mid-swing, clad in his Dayton Dragons uniform.
While the base cards are typically easy on the wallet, collectors might want to cast their eyes on the myriad of color parallels available. These could potentially offer greater value in the long run, especially before the market fully recognizes their worth. As a testament to their growing appeal, Goldin Auctions recently sold a PSA 10 example in August 2023 for $58. Yet, for those on a tighter budget, raw, ungraded cards are available for a modest sum of around $10, including shipping.
All 200 base cards come in the following parallels:
- Fuchsia: Serial-numbered to 199 copies
- Blue: Serial-numbered to 150 copies
- Green: Serial-numbered to 99 copies
- Aqua: Serial-numbered to 75 copies
- Gold: Serial-numbered to 50 copies (Hobby only)
- Orange: Serial-numbered to 25 copies
- Red: Serial-numbered to 10
2022 Topps Pro Debut Chrome
- Set: 2022 Topps Pro Debut Chrome
- Card Number: #PDC189
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: August 2023
- Auction House: eBay
- Selling Price: $41
Chrome parallels, exclusive to Jumbo packs, mirror the entire 200-card base set. Each Jumbo pack is loaded with six Chrome cards. Additionally, collectors can look forward to the following Refractor parallels:
- Refractor: Serial-numbered to 99 copies
- Aqua Refractor: Serial-numbered to 75 copies
- Gold Refractor: Serial-numbered to 50 copies
- Orange Lava Refractor: Serial-numbered to 25 copies
- Red Refractor: Serial-numbered to 5
- SuperFractor: One-of-one
2022 Topps Pro Debut Chrome Superfractor Autograph 1/1
- Set: 2022 Topps Pro Debut Chrome
- Parallel: Superfractor
- Card Number: #PDC189
- Serial Number: 1/1
- Grade: BGS Authentic Altered
- Sold Date: July 2023
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Selling Price: $2,070
Chrome Autographs, available exclusively in Jumbo packs, also come in these Refractor parallels:
- Orange Lava Refractor: Serial-numbered to 25 copies
- Red Refractor: Serial-numbered to 10
- SuperFractor: One-of-one
2022 Topps Pro Debut Chrome Red Refractor
- Set: 2022 Topps Pro Debut Chrome
- Parallel: Red Refractor
- Card Number: #PDC189
- Serial Number: 4/5
- Grade: BGS 9.5
- Sold Date: July 2023
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Selling Price: $1,110
➡️ Check Prices of Elly De La Cruz’s Topps Pro Debut RC on eBay
#7. 2022 Topps Heritage Minors – Elly De La Cruz RC
- Set: 2022 Topps Heritage Minors
- Parallel: Real One Autograph
- Card Number: #ROA-ED
- Grade: SGC 9.5
- Sold Date: July 2023
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Selling Price: $690
➡️ Check Prices of Elly De La Cruz’s Topps Heritage Minors RC on eBay
#6. 2022 Bowman Paper Prospects – Elly De La Cruz RC
- Set: 2022 Bowman Paper Prospects
- Card Number: #BP50
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: September 2023
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Selling Price: $78
2022 Bowman Prospects Platinum 1/1
- Set: 2022 Bowman Paper Prospects
- Card Number: #BP50
- Grade: BGS 9
- Sold Date: September 2022
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Selling Price: $4,320
➡️ Check Prices of Elly De La Cruz’s Bowman Paper RC on eBay
#5. 2022 Panini Donruss Optic – Elly De La Cruz RC
- Set: 2022 Panini Donruss Optic
- Parallel: Refractor
- Card Number: #RP6
- Serial Number: 1/1
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: August 2023
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Selling Price: $94
➡️ Check Prices of Elly De La Cruz’s Donruss Optic RC on eBay
2022 Panini Donruss Optic Autograph
- Set: 2022 Panini Donruss Optic
- Parallel: Black Finite
- Card Number: #RPSEC
- Serial Number: 1/1
- Grade: PSA 9
- Sold Date: August 2023
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Selling Price: $2,880
#4. 2022 Bowman Sterling – Elly De La Cruz RC
- Set: 2022 Bowman Sterling
- Parallel: Gold Refractor
- Serial Number: 39/50
- Card Number: #BSP69
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: September 2023
- Auction House: Probstein123 on eBay
- Selling Price: $198
While Bowman Sterling might be perceived as a subordinate brand compared to the flagship sets of Bowman and Topps, its cards are undeniably collectible and can fetch significant value, especially in rare parallels.
Case in point: an Elly De La Cruz Gold refractor, graded PSA 10, was auctioned off on eBay in September 2023 for a mere $198. Considering there are only 50 of these particular cards in existence, it seems like an absolute bargain! This becomes even more apparent when you juxtapose it against the base refractors, which, when graded PSA 10, are trading around the $130 mark.
All 50 prospect cards come in the following Refractor parallels:
- Refractors: Serial-numbered to 199 copies
- Mini-Diamond Refractors: Serial-numbered to 150 copies
- Speckle Refractors: Serial-numbered to 99 copies
- Magenta Refractors: Serial-numbered to 75 copies
- Gold Refractors: Serial-numbered to 50 copies
- Blue Refractors: Serial-numbered to 25 copies
- Black Atomic Refractors: Serial-numbered to 10
- Red Refractors: Serial-numbered to 5
- SuperFractors: One-of-one
- Printing Plates: A set of four for each card
2022 Bowman Sterling Refractor Autograph
- Set: 2022 Bowman Sterling
- Parallel: Autograph Refractor
- Serial Number: 008/150
- Card Number: #PAED
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: September 2023
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Selling Price: $520
➡️ Check Prices of Elly De La Cruz’s Bowman Sterling RC Auto on eBay
There are plenty of Bowman Sterling rookie card autograph parallels to choose from including a Superfractor 1/1, Rose Gold, /15, Blue /25, Gold /50, Orange /75, Speckle /99, Wave /125, and base refractor /150. Goldin Auctions sold this PSA 10 base refractor autograph at auction in September 2023 for $520.
#3. 2022 Bowman Inception – Elly De La Cruz RC
- Set: 2022 Bowman Inception
- Parallel: Gold Foil Autograph
- Card Number: #ROA-ED
- Serial Number: 48/50
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: August 2023
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Selling Price: $1,393
➡️ Check Prices of Elly De La Cruz’s Bowman Inception RC on eBay
#2. 2022 Bowman’s Best – Elly De La Cruz RC
- Set: 2022 Bowman’s Best
- Insert: Prospective Royalty Autograph
- Parallel: Superfractor
- Card Number: #PRED
- Serial Number: 1/1
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: August 2023
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Selling Price: $8,400
2022 Bowman’s Best – Best of 2022 Red Refractor
- Set: 2022 Bowman’s Best
- Insert: Best of Autograph
- Parallel: Red Refractor
- Card Number: #B22EDL
- Serial Number: 3/10
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: August 2023
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Selling Price: $3,720
➡️ Check Prices of Elly De La Cruz’s Bowman’s Best RC on eBay
#1. 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects – Elly De La Cruz RC
- Set: 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- Parallel: Superfractor
- Serial Number: 1/1
- Card Number: #BCP50
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: June 2023
- Auction House: Goldin Auction
- Selling Price: $8,400
2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects Mega Box Black Refractor 1/1
- Set: 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects
- Parallel: Black Refractor
- Serial Number: 1/1
- Card Number: #BCP50
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: June 2023
- Auction House: Goldin Auction
- Selling Price: $7,200
➡️ Check Prices of Elly De La Cruz’s Bowman Chrome Prospects RC on eBay
2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects red Refractor
- Set: 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects Autograph
- Card Number: #CPAED
- Serial Number: 4/5
- Grade: PSA 10
- Sold Date: June 2023
- Auction House: Goldin Auctions
- Selling Price: $31,200
➡️ Check Prices of Elly De La Cruz’s Red Refractor on eBay
2022 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor
In June 2023, Goldin Auctions sold an ultra-rare 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects Elly De La Cruz Red Refractor rookie card with an autograph. The card fetched a staggering final price of $31,200, setting a new record for an Elly De La Cruz rookie card.
What makes this card especially notable is its PSA 10 gem mint condition rating. As per PSA’s population report, it’s the only one to achieve such a high grade. Excluding 1/1s, this card is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after Holy Grail rookie cards of Elly De La Cruz for graded card investors.
Conclusion
Elly de La Cruz’s meteoric rise in the world of baseball has reflected well on his rookie cards. As with all investments, it’s essential to do your research, consider factors like grading, rarity, and the player’s performance trajectory. These top 10 cards, from affordable entry points to rare collectibles, offer a range of options for every type of collector. As Elly continues to dazzle on the field, the demand and value of his cards could ascend to greater heights, making now an opportune time to invest.
FAQ Section:
- Why are Elly de La Cruz’s rookie cards in demand?
- With impressive stats and a promising career trajectory, Elly’s performance on the field has led to a surge in demand for his rookie cards among collectors and investors.
- Which grading company should I trust when purchasing these cards?
- What factors contribute to the value of a rookie card?
- Rarity, card condition (grading), the player’s performance, and market demand are the primary factors determining a card’s value.
- Is it better to invest in base cards or rarer refractor parallels?
- While base cards offer an affordable entry point, rarer refractor parallels often hold greater long-term value, especially as they are limited in number.
- How do I ensure I’m not overpaying for a rookie card?
- Research recent sales of the card on platforms like eBay to get an idea of its current market value. It’s also beneficial to consult price guides and fellow collectors for insights.
Key Takeaways for Investors:
- Rarity Matters: Cards with limited print runs, such as refractors with limited serial numbers or one-of-ones, consistently fetch higher prices.
- Grading is Crucial: The difference in prices between a PSA 9 and PSA 10, or a BGS 9.5 and a BGS Authentic Altered, can be vast. A high-grade card not only ensures the card’s quality but also adds a premium to its value. Compare the grading compares in this article.
- Player Potential: The player’s performance can heavily influence the card’s value. Given that these are rookie cards, the anticipation is that Elly De La Cruz has a promising career ahead. Any significant achievements can boost the card’s market value.
- Diversify Your Portfolio: While the allure of high-priced cards is undeniable, it’s essential to have a mix. Base cards, even if graded, can offer a steady growth potential, while super-rare cards can provide that significant profit margin.
From a young age, Matt dove deep into sports card valuation, turning to esteemed price guides like Beckett and Tuff Stuff. Eventually he extended to Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. With a vision to sustain and nurture the hobby he loved, Matt established the ‘Graded Card Investor’ YouTube channel and website. He aims to foster a healthy community and offer invaluable insights to those entering the world of sports cards and TCGs. His depth of understanding, from the card market’s 2020 pinnacle to its 1990s valleys, is consistently fortified by meticulous research.
