Baseball today has so many exciting young prospects that some get lost in the shuffle. Ronald Acuna Jr. is one of a number of intensely gifted players in their early to mid-20s. But because of some injury trouble, he is sometimes forgotten in all the hype surrounding the likes of Shohei Otani and Fernando Tatis Jr. Still, according to some projections, he will be better than either. Ronald can hit for power and is among the best base stealers. Acuna's hitting form is so pure that his batting coach Sean Casey has compared the form of Acuña's batting style to Roberto Clemente. And indeed, Ronald has a swing that generates power while keeping perfect control.
Why Ronald Acuna Jr. Rookie Baseball Cards might be a good investment
He already has a Rookie of the Year and two Silver Slugger awards and is a two-time All-Star at 25. But, just as importantly, Acuna Jr. plays for a perennial contender and will likely win more than one World Series by the time he is done.
Considering this young player's massive potential, it may be good that he gets a bit less hype than others. But, of course, that also lowers Ronald Acuna Jr. card prices. And you know what they say, buy low and sell high. And the Braves outfielder provides a wonderful opportunity to do just that. So, wondering where to start your Acuna Jr. investment strategy? You came to the right place, my friend.
2018 Topps Dynasty #AP-RAC1 to AP-RAC6 /10
No copies of this card have been sold.
Rookie Patch Autos are the big thing in NFL football cards and NBA basketball cards. They have become the go-to rookie for high-end collectors everywhere. RPAs (as they are known) have also begun to show up in baseball products and are collecting solid values. However, they have not caught on in the same way as in the Panini products. It seems unlikely that this situation will last. There is no question that RPAs are here to stay. Now, baseball is always a bit more traditional and slow to change. But eventually, it does adapt. It took a while until chrome cards took off; now they are the standard. And hell, baseball even has a clock now. And with Topps entering the football and basketball card markets, they will feature RPAs more heavily in all their products.
Therefore, the 2018 Topps Dynasty #AP-RAC1 to AP-RAC6 /10 is an excellent card to get. Unfortunately, there are only ten of them, and no one seems to be selling them because those ten owners probably know better. But since this card is a raving beauty, and Ronald is likely a Hall-of-Famer, this card may be worth triple its current value in a few years.
2018 Ronald Acuna Jr. Topps Update Red & Blue Shirt #US250
A PSA 10 sold for $1,075
Every hardcore Acuna Jr. fan knows his batting practices are a must-watch. It is hard to get to games early because of the traffic and the irrepressible need to get that first beer and hot dog. But trust me, this is worth it. And this card perfectly captures the excitement of when the phenom steps up to take that first swing. The color scheme of his practice shirt, the background, and the storied Topps rookie logo just pop. Therefore, this card has emerged as one of the most beloved.
However, the downside of its popularity is that the 2018 Ronald Acuna Jr. Topps Update Red & Blue Shirt #US250 has a relatively large population count. It also grades super well. Therefore, no less than 586 of the 760 copies are PSA 10s. So, if you are chasing scarcity, you might prefer one of the other variants, like the negative or the Independence Day variant. There is also an auto, with a population of one.
2018 Bowman's Best Ronald Acuna Jr. Orange Refractor #51
A PSA 10 for $1,177
The 2018 Bowman's Best Ronald Acuna Jr. Orange Refractor #51 card has one of those Willie Mays roaming centerfield pictures. But the bold laser-like design draws a solid contrast to the classic image. The result is a card that stands out from the Ronald Acuna Jr. rookie cards crowd. But make sure to get a refractor or SP version. And not the regular refractor, either. A PSA 10 base card is worth $55, and the standard refractor only costs three bucks more. After all, Bowman's Best isn't a collector favorite, and the more common versions of Acuna's card suffer accordingly.
2018 Topps Heritage Ronald Acuna Jr. Rookie Card Chrome Refractor #58
A PSA 10 sold for $1,250
Topps Heritage is a beloved release featuring old-school (or a less charitable description is recycled) designs for new players. However, these cards are not notable for their high value. But the great thing about Topps Heritage is the many variations they include. And some of them are awesome and have a meager population count.
The 2018 Topps Heritage Ronald Acuna Jr. Rookie Card Chrome Refractor #58 is a good example. The 2018 Topps Heritage #580 Ronald Acuna Jr. base card isn't worth much. You can pick up a PSA 10 for less than $50. But some of the variations are worth quite a bit. And Ronald is so photogenic that the Heritage design (like just about every rookie card of his) has a beautiful look. That never hurts card value. Another great option is the auto in the set. While the 2018 Topps Heritage Auto #580 is worth quite a bit less, it has a gorgeous look. It is a real shame that Heritage autos are so underrated.
2018 Topps Diamond Icons Autographs #AC-RA /25
A PSA 10 sold for $1,250
Take a look at this card. Then retake a look at it. This is not a $1,250 card, no matter what the value of the only sale tells us. There is only one sale on record. That is probably because the 2018 Topps Diamond Icons Autographs #AC-RA /25 is deeply undervalued.
Generally speaking, high-end baseball cards are worth less than their basketball and football counterparts. That may last forever. However, there is reason to believe the situation will change soon. Starting in 2025, Topps will also issue cards for other big sports. And their high-end brands will become more familiar and prestigious as a result. For that reason, and because of the outfielders' immense potential, this numbered auto is a definite buy and hold.
2018 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna Jr. Rookie Card Gold Refractor #40
A PSA 10 sold for $7,000
For most recent baseball stars, the Bowman Chrome rookie card is the one to get. But the 2018 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna Jr. Rookie Card #40 doesn't quite have the same status. To be sure, it is a fine card and worth quite a bit of money. However, this one is often overlooked compared to the "bat down" card or the batting practice cards. Why? I think it shows that during scarcity and the cache of the released matter a lot, there is still incredible importance for good old-fashioned eye appeal. And while the Bowman Chrome Acuna card is quite attractive, others are more attention-grabbing.
Whatever the reason, the base 2018 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna Jr. base card costs as little as $66 for a PSA 10. Therefore, if you want to get value from this one, you must go for the less obvious choices. The Gold is the most valuable refractor, but the orange is in the same ballpark and arguably more attractive. Bowman makes a mean orange, as we all know.
2018 Topps Bat Down SP Ronald Acuna Jr. Rookie Card #698
A PSA 10 sold for $4,100
The card's description as "bat down" doesn't capture why this card is so popular. The 2018 Topps Bat Down SP Ronald Acuna Jr. Rookie Card #698 captures the player in a striking action shot. The outfielder has clearly made substantial contact with the ball and admires its flight path. The card is a short print variation and achieved iconic status immediately upon release. However, we should note that because this is a short print card, it is not the true rookie for the player. That distinction goes to the less desirable Topps Update base card that was issued later in the year.
We recommend you buy this one now, with Acuna Jr.'s stock at a relatively low place. It was going for over $4,000 at the peak of his hype. But now, as the media focuses on other young players, the prices have plummeted (in some cases) to under $1,000. So pick them up now because these are the most beloved rookie cards of a potential Hall-of-Famer. Value for PSA 10s will probably also increase because getting a gem for this card is tricky. The flagship Topps products that year had no borders and thin cardstock. Therefore, soft corners and whitening on the edges have marred many fine-looking cards.
2018 Topps Chrome Update Ronald Acuna Jr. Red Refractor #HMT25
A PSA 10 sold for $4,024
I have written many of these stories on the best rookie cards for young baseball stars. And it has to be said, none of the others have the same wide variety of gorgeous cards. Maybe it's that Ronald looks good in pictures, or he lucked out in design. But there is no arguing it. All of these cards are beautiful. But this one probably has the best picture of all. The unadulterated joy on the Braves outfielder's face will surely make even the most hardened observer smile.
The 2018 Topps Chrome Acuna card is worth very little. However, any refractor version is a killer investment. But the 2018 Topps Chrome Update Ronald Acuna Jr. Red Refractor #HMT25 is particularly good. The orange refractor is more affordable but arguably a better-looking card.
2017 Bowman Chrome Prospects Ronald Acuna Jr. Rookie Card Refractor Autograph #RA
A PSA 10 sold for $9,600
While the Bat Down variation is the best known among the Acuna Jr. cards, the 2017 Bowman Chrome Prospects Ronald Acuna Jr. Rookie Card Refractor Autograph #RA is the premier choice among high-end collectors. We are lucky that Ronald has such a crisp and attractive signature, adding to the long-term value and aesthetic pleasure we derive from the card. In addition, the action picture is elite, and the subtle borders of the 2017 Bowman design really help this card gain that elusive timeless feel. Meanwhile, in the grand tradition of Bowman 1st cards, the outfielder looks like he is still in middle school. Also note that if the refractor-auto is out of your price range, any numbered version of this card is a very worthwhile hold.
2018 Topps Update Ronald Acuna Jr. White Jersey With Bat Autograph #US250
A PSA 10 sold for $13,857
The 2018 Topps Update Ronald Acuna Jr. White Jersey With Bat Autograph #US250 is probably not the best-known of his cards in this release. However, it is far and away the most valuable. And if the Braves outfielder has the Hall-of-Fame worthy we project, it will be worth far more. Acuna's Topps Update base card has 21,825 PSA 10s (yup, that is not a typo). However, only two of these auto versions are. So, the value ceiling is very high.
The card is stunningly beautiful, combining the Stadium Club's lack of borders aesthetic with the better-conceived lettering of Topps Update. There is only one flaw with this nearly-perfect card. It is an on-sticker auto rather than an on-card one. But nothing is perfect. Well, aside from Ronald Acuna Jr.'s swing.
Final Word On The Top 10 Ronald Acuna Jr. Rookie Cards
I haven't been to business school, but if overrated movies with Michael Douglas have taught me anything, it's that you have to buy low and sell high. Ronald Acuna Jr. gives you a perfect opportunity to exercise your greed in good reflexes. Unfortunately, despite his enormous potential, the players' prices are down as collectors focus on shinier (though not more promising) objects. So now is the time to swoop in for the kill.
