Which MLB Rookie of the Year finalists' cards are worth buying
What each finalist's cards cost now, before the winners' Red Rookies qualify for $100 in FanCash on Monday.
MLB names its Rookie of the Year winners on Monday, Nov. 9. Each winner's Red Rookie Variation then qualifies for $100 in FanCash once Fanatics Collect opens its redemption window. Polymarket has Sal Stewart and Kevin McGonigle at 99%, yet their Red Rookies still sell for $60 and $67. That discount is only real if you already spend money at Fanatics, because FanCash isn't real cash. It only has value on Fanatics platforms like Topps, Fanatics Collect, and Fanatics Sportsbook.
NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year finalists
Carson Benge
The Mets' standout rookie had an outstanding season, playing in all but six games. He went yard 20 times, drove in 65 runs, and had 168 hits with a .282 batting average. He also has speed; he stole 22 bases this season on top of his excellent rookie numbers at the plate. His 2025 Bowman's Best auto is $46, while his 2026 Bowman Chrome Red Rookie Variation is around $9.
JJ Wetherholt
JJ Wetherholt had a respectable rookie season, hitting 17 home runs with 51 RBI, 130 hits, and a .242 batting average. He is unlikely to win Rookie of the Year at this point, as his auto has fallen nearly in half since June, showing the market's interest in buying the actual favorite's cards. In late June, his 1st Bowman Chrome auto was nearly $220; now it's around $111, while his Bowman Chrome Red Rookie Variation is down about two-thirds from September, currently around $5.
Sal Stewart
I'd say Sal Stewart is the likely National League Rookie of the Year for a few reasons. For one, his numbers were astronomical as a rookie: 32 home runs, 112 RBI, 164 hits, and a .263 batting average, plus an All-Star selection. His home runs and RBI lead the NL Rookie of the Year finalists. One card shows the market agrees: his 2026 Bowman Chrome Red Rookie Variation is selling for about $60. He has two of them, one in Bowman and the other in Bowman Chrome. If he wins, you can mail one to the Fanatics Collect Vault at your own cost during the redemption window. Each card pays out only once. Redeem it and you get $100 in FanCash, but Fanatics keeps the card. Skip the window and that $100 is gone for good, but you keep the card and a first MVP or Cy Young would pay $300. This goes for whoever wins Rookie of the Year in both leagues. If you're into buying sealed product, buying into breaks, or buying cards on Fanatics Collect, buying a Sal Stewart Red Rookie Variation is the way to go. It's an instant ~$40 in your pocket of buying power on the Fanatics platform. I strongly believe Sal Stewart will win the award.
Stewart's 2026 Topps Pristine Autograph has also dropped to $83. If you were to buy one of the two, I'd buy his Red Rookie Variation, as you have more options with it. You can hold it if he wins Rookie of the Year in case he wins an MVP, or multiple in the future, or you can redeem it for $100 FanCash. I also predict his Pristine Autograph will go down over time, so if you want to buy it, just wait a bit. If he regresses in his sophomore year, you'll get a discount. If he continues to rise and pulls off a PCA type year soon, you just turned $60 into $300.
AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year finalists
Kevin McGonigle
Like Stewart, Kevin McGonigle is likely to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award. His 7.1 bWAR led AL rookies. His 2026 Bowman Chrome Red Rookie Variation price says the market agrees. McGonigle's Red Rookie Variation is selling for $67, making it a good buy if you want to redeem it and you already spend money on Fanatics' sites. His 2025 1st Bowman Chrome is also very affordable at around $4. Both cards are buys for different reasons: the 2025 Bowman Chrome is super affordable, and if he becomes a star, the card could increase in value, making it a fun, cheap buy. His 1st Bowman auto is a different story. We called it a sell ahead of the award.
McGonigle's numbers were pretty good. He hit 18 home runs, drove in 72 runs, and got 168 hits for a .278 batting average. He was also selected to the All-Star Game his rookie year.
Payton Tolle
Payton Tolle is a fan favorite not only for his personality, but also for his pitching prowess. He pitched to a 9-6 record with a 3.03 ERA, striking out 171 batters and posting a 1.10 WHIP. His market is relatively high right now, as he is a Rookie of the Year finalist, but I don't expect him to win, so seeing the price fall ahead of a likely lockout after Dec. 1 would not surprise me. His 2026 Topps Chrome Rookie Autograph is currently worth $98, down from a $126 week in late September. His 2026 Bowman Red Rookie Variation has sold just twice in the last 30 days, for a few dollars.
If you want one of his Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs, I would wait for a lockout, as the lack of baseball news will likely slow the market, and his cards may drop.
Parker Messick
While I don't think Parker Messick will win the American League Rookie of the Year, his cards are pretty affordable and worth a look for his ace potential. He pitched to a 12-9 record with a 2.56 ERA, striking out 193, and a 1.06 WHIP. Being a Cy Young finalist and Rookie of the Year finalist in the same season is not something to just blink at. It shows early-career dominance, and I recommend looking into his card market.
His 2026 Topps Pristine Rookie Autograph is worth about $30, with recent sales running from $30 to $33, but even more affordable, and more recommended, is his $25 2026 Topps Chrome Rookie Autograph. I recommend the Topps Chrome over Pristine because of the set's name recognition, longer-term value, and lower price.
