The Home Run Derby is (unsurprisingly) an event I look forward to each summer. While crushing moonshots doesn’t guarantee anything, it can certainly elevate a player’s profile. And more importantly for collectors, it can significantly boost the value of their rookie cards.
Beckett.com’s Ryan Wright recently put a spotlight on the rookie cards of the last five Derby champions, which represent a fascinating cross-section of talent. From Pete Alonso’s back-to-back titles to Cal Raleigh’s historic breakthrough, these champs have carved their names into Derby history while creating compelling investment opportunities for card collectors.
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Rookie Cards For Recent Home Run Derby Champs
Here’s the breakdown of rookie cards from the Home Run Derby’s five most recent champs, based on Beckett’s current market valuations:
Pete Alonso (2021 Champion): 2019 Bowman Sterling Rookies Speckle Refractors #BSR61: $12.50-$31.25. The Mets’ power hitter made history as the first rookie Derby winner in 2019 before successfully defending his title two years later.
Juan Soto (2022 Champion): 2018 Topps Update #83-12 1983 Topps Baseball Blue: $20-$50. At just 23, Soto became the second-youngest Derby champion ever, showcasing the incredible power that’s defined his career thus far.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2023 Champion): 2019 Topps Factory Set 582 Montgomery #700: $20-$50. Vlad Jr. created Derby history by becoming half of the first father-son championship duo, following Vlad Sr.’s 2007 victory.
Teoscar Hernández (2024 Champion): 2017 Topps Chrome Negative Refractors #116: $7.50-$18.75. The well-traveled slugger found his moment in Dodger blue, delivering the franchise’s first-ever Derby title.
Cal Raleigh (2025 Champion): 2022 Topps Chrome Refractors #149: $6-$15. Big Dumper became the first catcher and switch-hitter to claim the Derby title.
Pete Alonso: The Derby King’s Collectible Legacy
Pete Alonso’s 2019 Bowman Sterling Rookies Speckle Refractors is a piece of Derby royalty. What makes Alonso’s rookie card particularly compelling is the narrative: a player who announced his presence in the Derby as a rookie before defending his title in 2021.
The pricing range of $12.50 to $31.25 reflects steady demand for a player who has consistently delivered taters in bunches. With more than 250 homers and now in his seventh big-league season, Alonso has established himself as one of baseball’s most reliable power threats. His back-to-back seasons of 40-plus homers in 2022 and 2023 show the sustained excellence that keeps collectors interested in his rookie cards.
Juan Soto: Premium Talent, Premium Card Value
The 2018 Topps Update Juan Soto rookie card commands the highest valuation range among these five Derby champions at $20-$50, and for good reason. What sets Soto’s card apart is the intersection of age and accomplishment.
At 26 years old, he’s already a four-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, and a World Series champion (among other things). Those are credentials that few players achieve in their entire careers. For collectors, Soto’s rookie card is an investment in a player whose Derby win was just one highlight in what’s shaping up to be a legendary career.
The Smart Money Plays
Looking at this group of champions, savvy collectors should note several trends. The pricing disparity tells an interesting story about market perception versus actual performance. While Raleigh and Hernández command the lowest rookie card values, there’s potential upside for patient collectors.
Raleigh’s historic Derby win, combined with his breakout 2025 season — which featured 38 home runs at the All-Star break — could make his rookie card potentially undervalued. Meanwhile, Hernández’s journey through four organizations before sticking with the Dodgers creates an interesting narrative that collectors often embrace over the long haul.
The consistency factor also matters. Players like Alonso and Guerrero Jr., who’ve sustained power production across multiple seasons, typically maintain stronger card values than those with shorter peaks. As Wright mentioned, Derby champions who can translate their showcase power into consistent in-game production typically see their rookie cards appreciate over time, making them worthwhile additions to any serious baseball card portfolio.
