Top 5 current baseball players to collect/invest

[Diamondjake]

Buying into Nick this early is just asking to collect Kevin Maas, Pat Listach or Eric Karros.

How much are Dave Kingman autos these days anyway?

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by rfgilles

He was able to brush off a betting scandal like it was nothing. The GOAT

He brushed it off like it was nothing because it really was nothing. Nobody cares about that.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

If you genuinely want to find the best ROI, then it's not going to be found in a group of players which feature thousands of people constantly buying and selling the same player.

You need to be turning over rocks looking in places that the average flipper doesn't know exist.

But that’s basically like gambling on the stock market versus building a stable investment portfolio though.

[Boredlawyer]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

But that’s basically like gambling on the stock market versus building a stable investment portfolio though.

Haha touche.

Best ROI over the past few months was probably Leaf Roch Cholowsky autographs.

But that meant you had to be

1. Willing to buy outside scope of licensed products
2. Paying attention to college baseball or future drafts
3. Not waiting until mock drafts to see who was considered the top prospect.

I've made significantly more money on unlicensed products than I ever have trying to prospect or chase the crowd.

Just to throw a name out, because I don't have anything of his listed on Ebay and haven't bought anything of his in a long time.

If I'm looking for best ROI in baseball I'm looking at a name like Carter Shouse in unlicensed products and holding until 2028.

By the time 5% of the industry knows who Carter Shouse is, you'll have missed the entry-point.

Most people will breeze right past that and scoff at the idea of touching something with that long a runway or the lack of licensing.

Hence the opportunity and ROI

[GabrielCards]

Originally Posted by Diamondjake

Buying into Nick this early is just asking to collect Kevin Maas, Pat Listach or Eric Karros.

How much are Dave Kingman autos these days anyway?

Maybe....he had a hella better 1st season than any of those other guys ever had in their entire career. The truth is we don't know how much better Kurtz can be in year two (or will he regress). IMO its best to see how his season starts unfolding before deciding to get any of his cards.

[seanrs1]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Haha touche.

Best ROI over the past few months was probably Leaf Roch Cholowsky autographs.

But that meant you had to be

1. Willing to buy outside scope of licensed products
2. Paying attention to college baseball or future drafts
3. Not waiting until mock drafts to see who was considered the top prospect.

I've made significantly more money on unlicensed products than I ever have trying to prospect or chase the crowd.

Just to throw a name out, because I don't have anything of his listed on Ebay and haven't bought anything of his in a long time.

If I'm looking for best ROI in baseball I'm looking at a name like Carter Shouse in unlicensed products and holding until 2028.

By the time 5% of the industry knows who Carter Shouse is, you'll have missed the entry-point.

Most people will breeze right past that and scoff at the idea of touching something with that long a runway or the lack of licensing.

Hence the opportunity and ROI

I congratulate you on your side hustle! You are zagging while everyone is zigging.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by bblair_2002

Wasn't but a few years ago people were saying the same thing about Mike Trout.

Ohtani isn't going to regress like trout did. He's literally on the greatest team of all time. He doesn't play in the field. And even worst case they shut him pitching down he becomes a full time DH.

[Diamondjake]

Originally Posted by GabrielCards

Maybe....he had a hella better 1st season than any of those other guys ever had in their entire career. The truth is we don't know how much better Kurtz can be in year two (or will he regress). IMO its best to see how his season starts unfolding before deciding to get any of his cards.

Yeah basically at least let the guys establish a couple of seasons, see if pitchers figure the guy out or they actually adapt.

He could have an awesome career like Tim Salmon but unfortunately still be Tim Salmon.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Haha touche.

Best ROI over the past few months was probably Leaf Roch Cholowsky autographs.

But that meant you had to be

1. Willing to buy outside scope of licensed products
2. Paying attention to college baseball or future drafts
3. Not waiting until mock drafts to see who was considered the top prospect.

I've made significantly more money on unlicensed products than I ever have trying to prospect or chase the crowd.

Just to throw a name out, because I don't have anything of his listed on Ebay and haven't bought anything of his in a long time.

If I'm looking for best ROI in baseball I'm looking at a name like Carter Shouse in unlicensed products and holding until 2028.

By the time 5% of the industry knows who Carter Shouse is, you'll have missed the entry-point.

Most people will breeze right past that and scoff at the idea of touching something with that long a runway or the lack of licensing.

Hence the opportunity and ROI

All good points. Your system requires an intense following of the prospect market though. I casually follow prospects and have no idea who Carter Shouse is.

[Boredlawyer]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

All good points. Your system requires an intense following of the prospect market though. I casually follow prospects and have no idea who Carter Shouse is.

Therein lies the rub. Best ROI won't be found in a Youtube video where your competitors are sorting DSL data by OPS+

[clocsta2323]

I think Raleigh should be on list of top 5 players to avoid at all costs at current prices.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

Therein lies the rub. Best ROI won't be found in a Youtube video where your competitors are sorting DSL data by OPS+

prospecting used to be great. But now every prospect is priced out the gate like they're the next Ohtani or Juan Soto. So unless you're really going after guys that are off the radar it isn't worth it imo

[Boredlawyer]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

prospecting used to be great. But now every prospect is priced out the gate like they're the next Ohtani or Juan Soto. So unless you're really going after guys that are off the radar it isn't worth it imo

Too many eyes on the product as a whole. Eyes = lack of opportunity.

You could create some formula like
<17.5 yrs old
<6'2
<1mm signing bonus
<25% K rate DSL
<$15 Bowman Chrome Auto

Etc. to find diamonds in the rough. You'd still bust 98/100 times because the bust rate is so high for international signings, much less overlooked DSL.
signings. Just perusing 2020 Int'l signings, here were the top 30:

Yoelqui Céspedes, OF, Cuba – White Sox ($2,050,000) # More »
Oscar Colas, LHP/OF, Cuba -- TBD
Wilman Diaz, SS, Venezuela – Dodgers ($2,697,500) # More »
Carlos Colmenarez, SS, Venezuela – Rays ($3,000,000) # More »
Armando Cruz, SS, Dominican Republic – Nationals ($3,900,000) # More »
Cristian Hernandez, SS, Dominican Republic – Cubs ($3,000,000) More »
Pedro Leon, OF, Cuba – Astros ($4,000,000) # More »
Jesus Galiz, C, Venezuela – Dodgers ($812,500) # More »
Rickardo Perez, C, Venezuela – Phillies ($1,000,000) More »
Yiddi Cappe, SS, Cuba – Marlins ($3,500,000) # More »
Shalin Polanco, OF, Dominican Republic – Pirates ($2,350,000) # More »
Daniel Vazquez, SS, Dominican Republic – Royals ($1,497,500) More »
Pedro Pineda, OF, Dominican Republic – Athletics ($2,500,000) # More »
Cristian Santana, SS, Dominican Republic – Tigers ($2,975,000) More »
Norge Vera, RHP, Cuba – White Sox ($1,500,000) More »
Danny De Andrade, SS, Venezuela – Twins ($2,200,000) More »
Jhonny Piron, OF, Dominican Republic – Rays (1,825,000) # More »
Jackson Chourio, SS, Venezuela – Brewers ($1,800,000) More »
Victor Acosta, SS, Dominican Republic – Padres ($1,800,000) More »
Dyan Jorge, SS, Cuba – TBD
Miguel Bleis, OF, Dominican Republic – Red Sox ($1,500,000) More »
Diego Velasquez, SS, Venezuela – Giants ($900,000) More »
Angel Genao, SS, Dominican Republic – Indians ($1,175,000) # More »
Manuel Beltre, SS, Dominican Republic – Blue Jays ($2,350,000) # More »
Fran Alduey, SS, Dominican Republic – Indians ($1,200,000) # More »
Ariel Almonte, OF, Dominican Republic – Reds ($1,850,000) More »
Abel Bastidas, SS, Venezuela – Tigers ($1,175,000) More »
Fredy LaFlor, SS, Dominican Republic – Twins ($1,100,000) More »
Denzer Guzman, SS, Dominican Republic – Angels ($2,000,000) More »
Maikol Hernandez, SS, Venezuela – Orioles ($1,200,000) # More »

And here were guys outside the Top 30
Astros
Rich Del Rosario, OF, Dominican Republic -- $300,000
Anderson Sanchez, OF, Colombia -- $350,000

Blue Jays
Luis Garcia, SS, Venezuela -- $520,000
Martin Gimenez, SS, Venezuela -- $1,000,000
Jhonatan Peguero, C, Dominican Republic -- $400,000
Yhoangel Aponte, CF, Venezuela -- $360,000
Yeuni Munoz, OF, Dominican Republic -- $315,000

Braves
Ambioris Tavarez, SS, Dominican Republic -- $1,500,000

Brewers
Daniel Guilarte, SS, Venezuela -- $1,000,000
Gregory Barrios, SS, Venezuela -- $1,000,000
Hendry Mendez, OF, Dominican Republic -- $735,000
Ney Serrano, SS, Dominican Republic -- $360,000

Cardinals
Leonardo Bernal, C, Panama -- $680,000
Elias Reynosa, SS, Dominican Republic -- $575,000
Carlos Carmona, CF, Venezuela -- $350,000
Christian Avendano, CF, Venezuela -- $300,000
Samil De La Rosa, SS, Dominican Republic -- $300,000

Cubs
Moises Ballesteros, C, Venezuela -- $1,200,000

D-backs
Manuel Pena, SS, Dominican Republic, $1,200,000
Ezequiel Surun, Dominican Republic, $425,000

Dodgers
Rayne Doncon, SS, Dominican Republic -- $497,500

Giants
Ramon Peralta, SS, Dominican Republic -- $597,500
Brian Guzman, SS, Venezuela -- $537,500
Mauricio Pierre, OF, Panama -- $490,000
Samuel Rodriguez, SS, Venezuela -- $442,500

Indians
Robert Lopez, C, Venezuela -- $1,000,000
Richard Polanco, SS, Dominican Republic -- $530,000
Yefrii Rivera, SS, Dominican Republic -- $500,000

Marlins
Kevin Guerrero, OF, Dominican Republic -- $600,000
Ronald Hernandez, C, Venezuela -- $850,000
Edward Duran, C, Venezuela -- $450,000

Mets
Yohairo Cuevas, OF, Dominican Republic -- $500,000
Elian Nunez, RHP, Dominican Republic -- $400,000
Diego Mosquera, SS, Venezuela -- $400,000
Samuel Camacaro, SS, Venezuela -- $330,000
Lenerd Ramos, RHP, Venezuela -- $300,000
Gustavo Marquez, OF, Venezuela -- $300,000

Nationals
Gustavo Rivas, RHP, Venezuela -- $450,000

Orioles
Samuel Basallo, C, Dominican Republic -- $1,300,000
Wilmer Feliciano, CF, Dominican Republic -- $400,000
Victor Celedonio, SS, Dominican Republic -- $360,000
Eruviel Castillo, SS, Dominican Republic -- $350,000
Anderson De Los Santos, SS, Dominican Republic -- $350,000
Teudis Cortorreal, CF, Dominican Republic -- $350,000
Yasmil Bucce, C, Venezuela -- $300,000

Padres
Samuel Zavala, OF, Venezuela -- $1,200,000
Daniel Montesino, OF, Venezuela -- $1,000,000
Bradgley Rodriguez, RHP, Venezuela --$370,000

Phillies
Yemal Flores, OF, Dominican Republic -- $1,300,000
Marco Soto, SS, Venezuela -- $375,000
Leonardo Rondon, SS, Venezuela -- $350,000
Raylin Heredia, OF, Dominican Republic -- $300,000

Pirates
Jose Garces, RHP, Colombia -- $350,000
Rubel Lebron, SS, Dominican Republic -- $350,000
John Zorrilla, SS, Dominican Republic -- $450,000

Rangers
Yeison Morrobel, OF, Dominican Republic -- $1,800,000
Danyer Cueva, SS, Venezuela -- $1,025,000
Yeferson Tineo, SS, Dominican Republic -- $600,000
Julio Pinto, SS, Venezuela -- $400,000

Rays
Luis Ariza, SS, Venezuela -- $430,000

Reds
Malvin Valdez, OF, Dominican Republic -- $1,900,000
Luis Reyes, SS, Venezuela -- $680,000
Brayan Rijo, OF, Dominican Republic -- $750,000
Carlos Jorge, SS, Dominican Republic -- $495,000
Jose Serrano, SS, Venezuela -- $450,000

Red Sox
Enderso Lira, C, Venezuela -- $850,000
Luis Ravelo, SS, Dominican Republic -- $545,000
Jedixon Paez, RHP, Venezuela -- $450,000
Ahbram Liendo, IF, Venezuela -- $450,000
Alvaro Mejias, RHP, Venezuela -- $300,000

Rockies
Jordy Vargas, RHP, Dominican Republic -- $500,000
Jose Colina, SS, Venezuela -- $300,000
Luis Paredes, CF, Dominican Republic -- $300,000
Bryan Perez, RHP, Dominican Republic -- $750,000
Felix Tena, OF, Dominican Republic -- $700,000
Gabriel Terrero, SS, Dominican Republic -- $650,000
Claudio Galva, RHP, Dominican Republic -- $600,000
Rony Cruz, RHP, Dominican Republic -- $325,000
Andy Perez, SS, Cuba -- $300,000

Royals
Diego Guzman, SS, Venezuela -- $447,500
Sebastian Ramirez, CF, Venezuela --- $547,500

Tigers
Rayner Castillo, SS, Dominican Republic -- $600,000
Carlos Pelegrin, OF, Cuba -- $550,000
Yimmy Diaz, SS, Venezuela -- $300,000

Twins
Rafael Cruz, SS, Dominican Republic -- $500,000
Reynaldo Madrigal, OF, Dominican Republic -- $400,000
Luis Rodriguez, SS, Dominican Republic -- $360,000
Andres Centeno, OF, Venezuela -- $300,000

Yankees
Hans Montero, SS, Dominican Republic -- $1,600,000


All except 2? of those guys busted or lack hobby love. Both of the stars signed for over $1mm, so unless you were throwing names at a dartboard, you'd have to cast a wide-enough net to encompass high end names.

If you bought one Bowman Chrome auto of every guy on this list, one month after release date, you'd have burned through all your profit on Carlos Colmenarez and Cristian Hernandez.

But people are still convinced they can beat the market on these guys. I still do and throw a few bucks on what I perceive to be overlooked sleepers. Nothing more than a lottery ticket with garbage odds.

The only good thing is that the market IS realizing that these international names are/were incredibly overpriced. Diego Tornes is probably comparable to Pedro Pineda, but Pineda was a $50 Bowman Chrome auto in 2021, and Tornes is $20 in 2025.

Unprecedented international hits on Acuna/Vlad Jr/Tatis blinded people to the bust rate on international signings, it took five years of Robert Puasons to correct the market.

[Diamondjake]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

prospecting used to be great. But now every prospect is priced out the gate like they're the next Ohtani or Juan Soto. So unless you're really going after guys that are off the radar it isn't worth it imo

At this point prospecting CEO's for companies on the stock market is far superior. Almost easier. Almost.

[boxbuster7]

funniest thing is hernandez isn't even a bust yet - but his prices are probably down 80% from release. it is just peoples expectations are wildly unrealistic most of the time.

[Boredlawyer]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

funniest thing is hernandez isn't even a bust yet - but his prices are probably down 80% from release. it is just peoples expectations are wildly unrealistic most of the time.

He is toast. When they stop protecting you for the Rule 5 draft you know you're toast.

I say this with absolute political neutrality: If you're looking for a moonshot ROI as far as Cubs, your best bet might be Matt Shaw; a totally mediocre player, hoping that he parlays his baseball fame into some kind of conservative podcast/talk show career, and his value is tied to political popularity as opposed to on-field performance.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

He is toast. When they stop protecting you for the Rule 5 draft you know you're toast.

I say this with absolute political neutrality: If you're looking for a moonshot ROI as far as Cubs, your best bet might be Matt Shaw; a totally mediocre player, hoping that he parlays his baseball fame into some kind of conservative podcast/talk show career, and his value is tied to political popularity as opposed to on-field performance.

he stole 52 bases last year and is 22 years old. I think we have different definitions of toast.

you can buy his cards for next to nothing also

[Diamondjake]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

you can buy his cards for next to nothing also

There is a reason for that. Vince Coleman was fast too. Didn't really matter in the end.

[Chrominator]

This thread sucks

[SleepyWill]

Originally Posted by Slvnumber2

Heard a discussion at a show on top current active players to buy and collect from an ROI standpoint and #1 player was obviously Ohtani with Judge in second. After that it was scattered as far as players to buy for short and long term. Overall the list was as follows and who would you change?

1. Ohtani
2. Judge
3. Skenes
4. Witt Jr
5. Raleigh/Kurtz/Elly

For the 5 spot many names came up with Kurtz having potential after a big rookie year, and if he goes to a bigger media market that is a huge help. Raleigh had a huge year last year but not a lot of hobby love - can he repeat the same type of year. Elly is a 40/40 guy and very young at 23, and played the second half with a partially torn quad. Was super hot in 2023/24 and can he return to form?🤔

Current Players to invest in long term?

1. Ohtani
2. Judge
3. Betts
4. Trout
5. Freeman

You're bottom 3 have miles to go.

[Boredlawyer]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

he stole 52 bases last year and is 22 years old. I think we have different definitions of toast.

you can buy his cards for next to nothing also

He's stuck in High A and swings a wet noodle. I'll take my chances on minor league free agency before a big league debut.

With that said, if you see a reasonfor a breakout, and you think you have an edge that others aren't seeing, then there's your opportunity.

[f2tornado]

Originally Posted by boxbuster7

he stole 52 bases last year and is 22 years old. I think we have different definitions of toast.

you can buy his cards for next to nothing also

Pretty much Esteury Ruiz in 2023. And now you'll get nothing for his cards.

[boxbuster7]

this thread does indeed suck

[Sluggerrr]

Originally Posted by Boredlawyer

He's stuck in High A and swings a wet noodle. I'll take my chances on minor league free agency before a big league debut.

With that said, if you see a reasonfor a breakout, and you think you have an edge that others aren't seeing, then there's your opportunity.

I bought one of his cards years ago for $30 because someone called him a young A-Rod clone.

[Absknicks]

Judge is light years ahead of Ohtani as a bat but I guess the circus act aspect of pitching once in a while gives him a boost with the easily amused types.

Maybe one of these years Ohtani can manage to OPS within 100 points of Judge. Would be a big milestone for him.