Sports card collecting is big business and definitely not the budget hobby hobby it was as recently as as the late 1990's. Companies learned valuable lessons from the "junk wax era" and have shortened print runs, created short-printed parallels to create even more scarcity, and generate much of their products' hype around the top rookies. For Atlanta Braves prospect Jose Perdomo, the latter part of the market is about to come into focus very soon.
The Braves signed Jose Perdomo at the start of the international signing period to the largest bonus in the IFA class at $5.6 million due to his all-around hitting ability despite his young age as well as optimism that he would be able to stick at shortstop long-term. Perdomo made his debut in the Braves organization in July 2024 after dealing with an unknown injury. While it is true that, like other Braves IFA guy, Perdomo has struggled so far as a pro, scouts still love his upside and bat-to-ball skills even if he isn't rocketing up prospect lists just yet.
Why does any of this matter right now? Well, it is because 2024 Bowman Chrome is set to release on September 11 and included on the checklist is Perdomo with his "Bowman 1st" card.
Jose Perdomo set to receive first license "true" rookie card in 2024 Bowman Chrome
Rookie cards have always carried a premium in the hobby. Getting a player's first cards has been a big deal for nearly as long as card collecting has existed. Go ahead and look up Hank Aaron's rookie cards and brace yourself for the shock as to how much even a beat-up copy costs.
However, there has been a slight shift in recent years thanks to introduction of prospect cards in Bowman that denote them as a players' "1st" Bowman card. Thanks in part to the popularity of Mike Trout's 1st Bowman autos (again, look up those prices and be sad that you didn't buy any way back when), collectors now put an even HIGHER premium on a player's Bowman 1sts than on cards from their rookie year in the big leagues primarily because those cards only come from one set versus a calendar year.
While Perdomo isn't the hottest name in 2024 Bowman Chrome (that honor goes to the Padres' Leo De Vries as well as the vaunted 2024 rookie class who also have cards), Perdomo is going to be among the most chased after prospects in the product. While that also means that his cards (especially his autographs) are going to be expensive right off the rip, it does provide fans and/or collectors alike to get in on the ground floor on a guy that, at least based on his bonus, has a real chance to be a star in MLB.
Time will tell if Perdomo actually lives up to the hype. However, that hype is about to be on full display once Bowman Chrome goes on sale in a little over a week and collectors start throwing around money in the triple digits or more to stash his cards away for a rainy day.