Introduction
The sports card market continues to surge as the return of football brings fresh attention to the hobby, while several young baseball players are creating major momentum with breakout performances.
With the 2026 football season underway, collectors are already watching quarterbacks who could become important names in the sport. At the same time, young baseball stars and prospects are driving significant gains across Bowman Chrome, Bowman Draft, Topps Chrome, and other popular releases.
This week's list features three quarterbacks generating major card-market momentum, a St. Louis Cardinals prospect putting together a monster minor league season, and a Cincinnati Reds rookie making a strong case for NL Rookie of the Year.
Let's break down the Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up by Sports Card Investor based on recent market performance and pricing data from Market Movers.
Sports Card Market Pulse
The overall sports card market continues to show impressive strength as collectors remain active across baseball and football.
SCI 500 Index Performance:
📈 Up 1.3% over the last 7 days
📈 Up 8.8% over the last 30 days
📈 Up 57% since January 1st, 2026
The year-to-date performance is particularly impressive, with the SCI 500 Index of 500 prominent sports cards now up 57% since the beginning of 2026.
Football's return is bringing additional attention to quarterback cards, while strong performances from young MLB players are creating significant movement in the baseball card market.
Several factors are fueling this week's momentum:
- The return of the 2026 football season
- Strong performances from emerging college quarterbacks
- Increased interest in young MLB players
- Breakout seasons from baseball prospects and rookies
- Rising demand for Bowman Chrome prospect autographs
- Continued strength across rookie and prospect cards
With football season underway and the MLB season approaching its final stretch, collectors have plenty of players and cards to monitor.
The Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up
5. Jayden Maiava
USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava takes the No. 5 spot after opening the 2026 season with an impressive two-game stretch.
Maiava has helped USC start the season 2-0 while quickly emerging as an early name to watch for the 2027 NFL Draft. Through his first two games, he has completed 48 of 54 passes for 635 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. That works out to an incredible 89% completion rate, giving collectors plenty of reasons to start paying attention to his early college cards.
The strong start has already translated into increased prices across several of his 2024 Bowman releases.
Key Card Movements:
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2024 Bowman Best University Best of 2024 Autographs Refractor (Raw): $34 → $45
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2024 Bowman Best University Best of 2024 Autographs Refractor (PSA 10): $128 → $150
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2024 Bowman Best University Best of 2024 Autographs Pink Lava Refractor /100 (Raw): $50 → $75
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2024 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Auto Gold Refractor /50 1st (Raw): $140 → $230
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2024 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Auto 1st (PSA 10): $135 → $153
Maiava's strong start has created noticeable momentum across his college cards. With USC undefeated through two games and Maiava already drawing attention as a potential 2027 NFL Draft prospect, his early cards are worth watching as the college football season continues.
4. Rainiel Rodriguez
St. Louis Cardinals catcher prospect Rainiel Rodriguez takes the No. 4 spot after putting together a monster minor league season at just 19 years old.
Rodriguez is identified as the Cardinals' top prospect and is batting .316 with 24 home runs and 82 RBIs across two levels of minor league baseball this season.
That combination of age and production has created plenty of excitement surrounding his future in the Major Leagues, while collectors have responded by pushing prices higher across several of his prospect cards.
Key Card Movements:
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2025 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto 1st (Raw): $87 → $150
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2025 Bowman Chrome Prospects Geometric Refractor /499 1st (Raw): $29 → $35
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2025 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor /499 1st (Raw): $165 → $304
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2025 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto 1st (PSA 10): $316 → $501
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2025 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Edition Prospects 1st (Raw): $21 → $45
For collectors who follow the baseball prospect market, Rodriguez is one of the young names generating significant momentum before reaching the Major Leagues.
3. Sam Leavitt
LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt takes the No. 3 spot after making an outstanding debut following his transfer to LSU.
Leavitt helped LSU crush Clemson 51-10 in his first game with the Tigers, throwing for 230 yards and a touchdown while adding another 113 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. In total, Leavitt accounted for 343 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the game late in the third quarter.
The performance immediately created excitement around his future in LSU's offense, and his sports cards have responded with some significant price increases.
Key Card Movements:
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Auto 1st (Raw): $30 → $50
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Auto 1st (PSA 10): $185 → $260
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Gold Refractor /50 1st (Raw): $25 → $99
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Auto Blue Refractor /150 1st (Raw): $89 → $120
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Auto Orange Refractor /25 1st (Raw): $200 → $300
His combination of passing and rushing production gives collectors another young quarterback to monitor as the 2026 college football season develops.
2. Jared Goff
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff takes the No. 2 spot as his cards continue to gain momentum with the NFL season underway.
Goff enters his sixth season in Detroit after putting together an excellent 2025 campaign. He threw for more than 4,500 yards and 34 touchdowns while posting a 105.5 passer rating.
With Detroit looking to remain among the NFC's top contenders, collectors are showing increased interest in Goff's cards across both his rookie releases and newer premium inserts.
Key Card Movements:
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2016 Optic Holo Rookie (Raw): $5 → $35
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2016 Prizm Silver Rookie (Raw): $20 → $35
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2016 Prizm Silver Rookie (PSA 10): $179 → $210
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2024 Absolute Kaboom Horizontal (Raw): Approximately $400 → Nearly $500
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2024 Absolute Kaboom Horizontal (PSA 10): $600 → $960
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2024 Mosaic Micro Mosaic SSP (Raw): $85–$90 → $125
Goff's market movement is particularly interesting because it extends beyond traditional rookie cards. His 2016 Optic Hollow has risen significantly in raw condition, while his 2024 Absolute Kaboom has also made a major move.
The PSA 10 Kaboom is now approaching the $1,000 mark after previously selling for as little as $600, showing how quickly demand can shift when an established NFL quarterback enters a new season with strong expectations.
1. Sal Stewart
Taking the No. 1 spot this week is Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart, who has turned his rookie season into one of the biggest breakout stories in baseball.
Stewart is hitting .268 with 31 home runs, 107 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases, establishing himself as one of the most productive young hitters in baseball. His August was especially impressive. Stewart hit eight home runs and 21 RBIs during the month, earning NL Rookie of the Month honors for the second time this season. Stewart became the first Reds player ever to win NL Rookie of the Month twice in the same season.
That combination of production and recognition has created significant momentum across his sports card market.
Key Card Movements:
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2022 Bowman Draft Chrome DP Auto Blue Refractor /150 1st (PSA 10): $1,200 → $1,800
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2022 Bowman Draft Chrome DP Auto Purple Refractor /250 1st (PSA 10): $973 → $1,225
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2022 Bowman Draft Chrome DP Auto 1st (PSA 10): $560 → $589
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2022 Bowman Draft Sapphire Edition Chrome 1st (Raw): $21 → $35
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2026 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs (Raw): Under $80 → $103
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2026 Topps Chrome Radiating Rookies SSP (Raw): $72 → $125
With Stewart producing at such a high level and already earning two NL Rookie of the Month awards, his rookie cards have become some of the most interesting movers in the baseball card market.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which sports cards are heating up the most this week?
Sal Stewart takes the No. 1 spot, followed by Jared Goff, Sam Leavitt, Rainiel Rodriguez, and Jayden Maiava. The list includes both established NFL talent and young baseball and college football players generating strong market momentum.
2. Why are Sal Stewart cards rising?
Stewart is putting together a major rookie season, hitting .268 with 31 home runs, 107 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. He also won NL Rookie of the Month twice during the season, including after hitting eight home runs and 21 RBIs in August.
3. Why are Jared Goff cards heating up?
Goff is entering his sixth season with Detroit after throwing for more than 4,500 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2025. His rookie cards and newer premium cards, including his 2024 Absolute Kaboom!, have experienced notable price increases.
4. Why are Sam Leavitt cards going up?
Leavitt had an impressive LSU debut, accounting for 343 total yards and three touchdowns in a 51-10 win over Clemson. His 2025 Bowman Chrome University cards have responded with significant price increases.
5. Which baseball prospects are seeing the biggest card gains?
Rainiel Rodriguez is one of the biggest baseball prospect risers highlighted this week. His 2025 Bowman Chrome First Autograph increased from $87 to $150 in raw condition, while his PSA 10 base autograph climbed from $316 to $501.
6. Why are college football cards gaining attention?
The return of football gives collectors new performances to evaluate, particularly from quarterbacks who could become future NFL prospects. Strong early-season performances from Jayden Maiava and Sam Leavitt have already translated into higher prices for several of their college cards.
Conclusion
The sports card market continues to show impressive strength as football returns and baseball's young stars enter the final stretch of the season.
This week's list highlights just how many different factors can drive card prices. Jayden Maiava and Sam Leavitt are benefiting from strong college football performances, while Rainiel Rodriguez is building significant prospect momentum with his production in the minor leagues.
Jared Goff represents a different type of market movement, with both his rookie cards and modern premium inserts gaining value as the NFL season begins. His 2024 Absolute Kaboom! has been particularly notable, with the PSA 10 recently reaching $960.
At the top of the list, Sal Stewart continues to make a major impact during his rookie season. His power, run production, stolen bases, and two NL Rookie of the Month awards have helped make his cards some of the hottest in the market.
Meanwhile, the broader market remains extremely strong. With the SCI 500 Index up 57% since the beginning of 2026, collectors have already witnessed a remarkable year for sports cards.
As the football season progresses and the MLB season moves toward its conclusion, performances from emerging stars could continue creating major moves across the hobby. For collectors, keeping an eye on player performance and recent card sales remains essential for identifying the next cards heating up.
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