2025 Playoff Rookies and Their Card Markets: Tracking the Next Wave of MLB Talent

With the 2025 MLB postseason now behind us and the stage set for a World Series clash between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays, it’s worth looking back at a unique subplot from this October — the rookies and prospects who got their first taste of playoff baseball.

This season saw 242 players make their MLB debuts across the year, with 25 rookies logging postseason stats from 11 of the 12 playoff teams (only the Mariners had none). From standout debuts to forgettable cameos, a handful of these players will carry valuable experience — and hobby momentum — into 2026.

For this analysis, “rookie” status follows the official Baseball Almanac definition: players with fewer than 130 at-bats (for hitters), 50 innings pitched (for pitchers), or 45 days on the active major league roster before rosters expand. Using that criteria, here are the seven players from the 2025 postseason who remain rookie-eligible heading into next season — and how their performances (and card markets) stacked up.

Moises Ballesteros – Chicago Cubs

Regular Season (20 G): .298/.394/.474 (.868 OPS), 57 AB, 17 H, 2 HR, 11 RBI
Playoffs (3 G): .000/.000/.000, 3 AB, 0 H

Ballesteros drew brief postseason attention after being named to the Cubs’ playoff roster — enough to spark a short-lived market bump on eBay — but his actual at-bats were limited and unremarkable. Despite the cold playoff showing, the 21-year-old backstop impressed during his regular-season debut, flashing advanced plate discipline and power potential. If he secures a consistent big-league role in 2026, his market could see renewed interest, especially among collectors looking for affordable long-term holds.

Sal Stewart – Cincinnati Reds

Regular Season (18 G): .255/.293/.545 (.838 OPS), 5 HR, 8 RBI
Playoffs (2 G): .500/.600/.500 (1.100 OPS), 4 RBI

Stewart was electric in his short playoff stint, driving in four runs across two games before the Reds were eliminated by the Dodgers. His card prices surged briefly after his breakout, but predictably cooled following Cincinnati’s exit. Still, with consistent contact and early power flashes, Stewart is trending in the right direction. The 22-year-old remains one of the more promising young corner infielders in the National League — and a name to keep on watch lists heading into spring training.

George Valera – Cleveland Guardians

Regular Season (16 G): .220/.333/.415 (.748 OPS), 2 HR, 5 RBI
Playoffs (3 G): .286/.286/.857 (1.143 OPS), 1 HR

Valera’s first taste of the majors was underwhelming until the postseason, where he managed a pair of extra-base hits in limited action. Despite a solid small-sample showing, Valera’s hobby demand remains minimal — just nine recorded card sales over the last 90 days. His profile as a streaky power bat and lack of clear role in Cleveland make him a speculative play at best. Collectors should tread lightly unless he carves out a defined spot in the Guardians’ 2026 lineup.

Chase DeLauter – Cleveland Guardians

Playoffs (2 G): .167/.286/.167, 1 H, 1 BB

DeLauter’s MLB debut came under postseason pressure, and it showed. The former first-rounder managed just one hit in six at-bats, though his approach looked serviceable. His card prices saw a brief bump around his October 6 debut before cooling off again. While his long-term potential remains intact, collectors will likely wait for a full season sample before re-engaging. DeLauter is a classic example of early hype not yet meeting production.

Trey Yesavage – Toronto Blue Jays

Regular Season (3 GS): 1–0, 3.21 ERA, 16 K, 14.0 IP
Playoffs (1 GS): 2–1, 4.20 ERA, 22 K, 15 IP

Yesavage delivered one of the most dominant pitching performances of the postseason, tossing 5.1 no-hit innings against the Yankees while striking out 11. His market reflected the hype — jumping from around $80 to north of $160 in the days following the outing. Pitchers’ card markets tend to fluctuate heavily, but Yesavage’s poise and strikeout stuff on the October stage make him one of the few rookie arms worth watching. Even if his prices cool this offseason, he’ll enter 2026 as one of the more collectible young pitchers in baseball.

Connelly Early – Boston Red Sox

Regular Season (4 GS): 1–2, 2.33 ERA, 29 K, 19.1 IP
Playoffs (1 GS): 0–1, 7.36 ERA, 6 K, 3.2 IP

Early’s numbers were better than the box score suggests. His xFIP and xBA were significantly lower than the box score would lead you to believe, but the Yankees made weak contact and his teammates made silly errors. Unfortunately, the lack of a Bowman Chrome 1st Auto limits his collectability. His only autograph is a 2024 Bowman Paper sticker auto without the “1st” logo, a combination that historically underperforms with collectors. Still, given his command and strikeout metrics, Early’s a name to revisit next season if Boston gives him a rotation spot.

Payton Tolle – Boston Red Sox

Regular Season (7 G, 3 GS): 0–1, 6.06 ERA, 19 K, 16.1 IP
Playoffs (1 Relief App): 0–0, 0.00 ERA, 0.1 IP

Tolle’s debut was one of the hobby’s quickest rises and falls of the season. His card prices exploded after his call-up, only to correct once he shifted to the bullpen. Relief pitchers almost never sustain hobby value unless they become elite closers, and Tolle’s brief postseason appearance did little to change that outlook. Until he returns to a starting role, collectors should avoid chasing his early hype.

Takeaways Heading into 2026

The 2025 postseason provided limited opportunities for rookie standouts, but the performances of Sal Stewart and Trey Yesavage stood out as genuine needle-movers in both on-field production and card market activity. For the rest, limited roles and small sample sizes muted any major market reactions.

As the World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays begins, the broader lesson for collectors is clear: postseason hype can move markets fast, but only sustained opportunity creates long-term value. Yesavage’s spike shows the power of timing and visibility, while others — like Ballesteros and DeLauter — remain long-term watchlist plays as they transition from brief cameos to full-time roles in 2026.

About the Author

@DahlDoesCards is a data-focused baseball card analyst who has spent the past year tracking average sale prices of Base 1st Bowman Chrome Prospect Autos and parallel multipliers across Bowman releases. His market insights and research are regularly shared through Twitter/X and his free Substack, where he analyzes player performance trends and card market movements. He welcomes discussion and feedback from fellow collectors and investors.

2025 Playoff Rookies and Their Card Markets: Tracking the Next Wave of MLB Talent

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