Patience pays off at the plate—and in collecting. How else to explain the revival of interest in Kyle Schwarber baseball cards now that his revival is playing out in prime time?
The fourth pick in the 2014 MLB Draft was a fast riser, making his big league debut in June of 2015. A serious knee injury just after the start of the 2016 season seemed to put his career in jeopardy. Collectors who had bought up Schwarber cards (many of which were not cheap) were nervous. He wasn’t expected back until the spring of 2017. Schwarber not only got ready for action ahead of schedule, he made an immediate impact on the 2016 World Series.
In his first two games since being added to the active roster, the Ohio native and Indiana University product went three-for-seven with two walks and two RBI, while facing the likes of Corey Kluber and Andrew Miller. Something that had been totally unexpected just two weeks earlier became a part of baseball lore.
“People have no idea how hard it is to do what he just did,” Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. “Only someone who is a freak of nature could do this. He’s a natural born hitter. This is the stuff of legends as the World Series goes on.”
While Schwarber wasn’t cleared to play the field as the series shifted to Chicago, his baseball cards are picking up steam again, with interest from collectors and Cubs fans who believe he could be the last piece to a puzzle.
Schwarber remains part of a strong Cubs nucleus that could be playing together for a long time. Their Game 2 lineup featured six players under the age of 25: Kris Bryant (24), Schwarber (23), Javier Baez (23), Willson Contreras (24), Jorge Soler (24) and Addison Russell (22). That youth and talent, along with the overwhelming national interest in the Cubs, could bode well long term for collectors.
Kyle Schwarber Amateur and Propect Cards
Schwarber’s first baseball cards came while he was still in college. As a member of the US National team, he has standard cards and autographs in Paninii’s 2013 Team USA products. He donned a pro uniform for the first time in the summer of 2014 and Topps capitalized by putting him in its prospect-oriented sets. 2014 Bowman Chrome Schwarber autographs stand atop the list of most popular cards. He’s also in Bowman Sterling (non-auto and sticker autos) as well as Leaf and Panini’s non-MLB licensed products.
Kyle Schwarber Rookie Cards
Schwarber appeared in several sets in his minor/major league transitional year of 2015 and then, early in 2016, his “official” rookie cards began appearing in Topps products. Dealers and store owners worried that Schwarber’s injury would put a damper on sales since most were counting on some carry over from his 2015 debut—one punctuated by the NLDS home run that landed on top the new electronic scoreboard at Wrigley Field.
Current Market
Since word of Schwarber’s return began circulating, interest has picked up again, on all levels. As he made his presence felt in Cleveland, prices began to climb. On Wednesday, a 2014 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor numbered to 50 and graded BGS 10 sold for $1,500 on eBay. A BGS 9.5 Blue Refractor, numbered to 150, sold for $550. A BGS 9.5 Black Refractor, numbered to 35, went for $799.
Check out the most watched Kyle Schwarber baseball cards on eBay via the up-to-the-minute list below.
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