6 Players (and Cards) to Watch During the 2018 World Series – Beckett Pricing Insider
This edition of the Beckett Pricing Insider is sponsored by MVP Sports Collectibles.
Tonight is the beginning of the 114th edition of the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers matching up against the Boston Red Sox. Both storied franchises, the Dodgers, led by three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, are back in the World Series for the second consecutive year. They’re looking for their first World Series Championship since 1988. The Red Sox are back in the World Series for the first time since the won in all back in 2013.
Both teams are filled with a plethora of All-Stars and young talent who collectors should keep an eye on. Here is a list of some of the players I’d recommend as well as a key card:
Los Angeles Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw
One to Watch: 2008 Topps Update RC #UH240
This is an easy one. A stalwart in the Dodgers rotation for the last decade, the seven-time All-Star missed part of the season due to injury. Even still, he remains one of the league’s best pitchers. Considered one of the first in the line of highly sought out modern Topps Update rookies, his RC from 2008 can be found for around $30-$40.
Cody Bellinger
One to Watch: 2015 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #BCAPCBE
The 2017 NL Rookie of the Year, Bellinger had a good sophomore year, leading the team with 145 hits. He followed that up in the postseason where he won the NLCS MVP. This is his first Bowman autograph card and is essential for the prospect hunter and Bellinger fans. Currently prices on this one are going for around $100-$140.
Walker Buehler
One to Watch: 2018 Topps Allen and Ginter Framed Mini Autographs # MAWB
The rookie pitcher had an outstanding first season, throwing almost 140 innings and finishing with a 2.62 ERA. His Mini Framed Autograph from 2018 Topps Allen and Ginter comes from a fan favorite set and can be found for just under $20.
Boston Red Sox
Mookie Betts
One to Watch: 2014 Topps Heritage RC #H558
Betts, who is a favorite to be crowned the AL MVP, is one of the hottest players in the league, both on the field and in the collectoring world. I already did an Insider piece on him a short time ago but his season has been too good to ignore. The 2014 Topps Heritage Mookie Betts sits at #10 on the Hot List in the November issue of Beckett Baseball Card Monthly. It’s one of three Betts cards on the list. Originally inserted in 2014 Topps Heritage High Number, these are up to $75-$100.
J.D. Martinez
One to Watch: 2011 Topps Update RC #US186
If Betts isn’t crowned AL MVP, then Martinez should get it. Originally drafted by the Astros, he made the majors in 2011. But after his production started to decline, he was released after the 2013 season. He would sign a minor league deal with the Tigers where he would turn his career around and earn himself a trip to the 2015 All-Star Game. After being traded to the Diamondbacks in 2017, Martinez signed a free agent deal with the Red Sox before this season. His Rookie Card can be found for around $15, which is a significant increase in the past year.
Andrew Benintendi
One to Watch: 2015 Bowman Chrome Draft Draft Pick Autographs #BCAAB
Benintendi was one of the top prospects in baseball even before he was drafted seventh overall by the Red Sox in 2015. After a quick ascension through the minors, he made his Red Sox debut in August, 2016. Last year, he was the runner-up in the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year race.
The 2015 Bowman Chrome Draft Andrew Benintendi autograph is going for $110-$140, similar to Bellinger.
So there you have it, I could go on with more players from each team, like Max Muncy, Manny Machado or Yasiel Puig for the Dodgers, or Rafael Devers, Chris Sale or David Price for the Red Sox. Needless to say, both of these teams are stacked.
