While we spend a lot of time looking back at vintage baseball cards here, what about pieces of cardboard from this century?
Sports Illustrated’s David Solow recently highlighted a group of 10 iconic 2010s baseball cards. As you can imagine, this list is full of dudes who have put together amazing MLB careers. Let’s look at his 10 selections before I talk in more detail about two cards that are my favorites.
Editor’s Note: Looking to Sell Sports Cards? Here’s How to Do It Quickly & Easily
The 10 Most Iconic 2010s Baseball Cards
According to Solow, the following 10 cards defined a decade of collecting:
Paul Goldschmidt 2011 Bowman Chrome (1st) Autograph
Francisco Lindor 2011 Bowman Chrome (1st) Autograph
Stephen Strasburg 2010 Bowman Chrome Superfractor 1/1
Freddie Freeman 2011 Topps Chrome Autograph
Bryce Harper 2012 Topps Series 2 (Red Helmet)
Mookie Betts 2014 Topps Chrome Update
Ronald Acuña Jr. 2018 Topps Series 2 “Bat Down” Rookie Card
Aaron Judge 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects
Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps Chrome #150
Mike Trout 2011 Topps Update
Why Aaron Judge’s Card Belongs in a Class of Its Own
Judge’s 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects card has a fascinating backstory. This was an unusual year for Topps because they skipped the standard “1st Bowman” designation entirely. It’s also worth noting that the Yankees didn’t promote Judge to the big leagues until 2016, creating a considerable gap between his Bowman card and his official MLB rookies.
But even with those issues, Judge’s on-field dominance since his 2017 American League Rookie of the Year campaign has made up for it. He’s now a three-time American League MVP Award winner, a seven-time All-Star, a five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and the AL’s single-season home run king after slugging 62 taters in 2022.
That kind of career arc does wonders for card values, and he’s shown no signs of slowing down after consecutive MVP campaigns from 2024-25. Total copies of this card have a population of over 5,300. While supply isn’t scarce, Solow noted that demand for PSA 10 copies (population of more than 1,600) still pushes prices toward $800.
Francisco Lindor & His Bowman Chrome First Auto Card
Lindor’s 2011 Bowman Chrome First Auto has quietly become one of the better investments for shortstops because of his overall production. Solow noted that Lindor is the first shortstop to cross over the 50 WAR plateau since… Derek Jeter. And while Mr. Smile’s 2026 campaign will have some bumps in the road after undergoing surgery to repair his hamate bone, the 32-year-old has some elite years of production left in him for the Mets.
PSA 10 copies currently sit around $975, with a population of just 230 in that grade. Moving from Cleveland to a big market like New York should continue to help the value of these cards, along with his combination of All-Star numbers and one of the game’s more recognizable personalities.
Outside of a surprise run to the NLCS in 2024, Lindor hasn’t gotten many opportunities to shine for the Mets in October, but his Gold Glove-caliber defense and power-speed combo at the plate are putting him on a Hall of Fame path. More consistent — and deep — playoff runs with New York would only help his card values continue to rise.
How the Hobby Shifted from the 2010s to the 2020s
Looking back at this list, one thing stands out: most of these iconic cards weren’t treated as iconic when they were released. The hobby in the 2010s was quieter and more patient, but the 2020s flipped the script entirely.
The pandemic-era boom brought in an entirely new wave of buyers who approached cards as financial investments first and collectibles second. Prices spiked, grading backlogs ballooned, and suddenly everyone was breaking cases on YouTube looking for the next Ohtani.
Ohtani’s 2018 Topps Chrome card displays this well. While over 15,000 PSA 10 copies exist, it still sells for more than $500. That would’ve been unthinkable a decade earlier. Today’s hobby is bigger, louder, and more expensive to enter. But looking at a list like this, it’s a good reminder that the best cards (like ones tied to the game’s biggest superstars) tend to hold up regardless of market conditions.
Love home runs? Sign up for my Substack today and start getting interesting home run-related observations straight to your inbox! And if you’re new to MLB Daily Dingers, it’s probably best to start here.
