I know there are some exciting American League rookies getting headlines right now - guys like Munetaka Murakami and Kevin McGonigle - but from both an AL Rookie of the Year and hobby perspective, I think Carter Jensen might be one of the better value plays out there.
Admittedly, I’m a Royals homer, but after the early-season oversleeping incident that caused him to miss a game, Jensen has responded exactly how you’d hope - steady progress, maturity, and flashes of the player Kansas City believed in when they drafted him. He’s been a little quiet over the past week, but the tools are there.
From a card standpoint, Jensen doesn’t have a ton of high-end autograph or true chase cards on the market, which may actually be part of the opportunity. The few that are out there - especially the early Bowman cards - still seem reasonably priced given his upside.
Just my (completely biased) two cents, but they could be worth grabbing before the broader hobby catches on.
