Second-Year Players Poised for a 2026 Hobby Breakout
As we head into spring training and the release of 2026 Topps Series 1, now is the time to spotlight some second-year names. These players already had rookie cards in 2025, but with a strong 2026 season, they could see a big rise in hobby relevance. Below we review five such players, recap their 2025 performance, and look at recent card sales ("comps") for their Bowman 1st autographs.
Luke Keaschall (Minnesota Twins)
Bowman 1st Auto (Raw) Price: $63 (Base)
Keaschall was one of the most impressive rookies of 2025 when healthy. In just ~50 games with Minnesota, he slashed .302/.382/.827 with 4 home runs and 28 RBI, showing a mature batting approach and defensive versatility. His season was marred by injury as a late-September thumb sprain ended his year early but everything around those missed weeks was excellent. Keaschall’s performance even earned him a spot on MLB Network’s Top Rookies of 2025 countdown. Now fully healthy, the 23-year-old infielder is expected to be a key part of the Twins’ plans in 2026. If he picks up where he left off (he even won AL Player of the Week in August) Keaschall could emerge as a hobby favorite. His Bowman 1st auto sales are steady, with base autos recently selling around $63. This is my favorite choice of the bunch a talented hitter who has already shown he can excel in MLB when on the field.
Marcelo Mayer (Boston Red Sox)
Bowman 1st Auto (Raw) Price: $178 (Refractor /499)
One of baseball’s most touted prospects entering 2025, Mayer played under his immense hype as a rookie. The Red Sox shortstop/third baseman got a mid-season call-up but hit a modest .228 with 4 homers and 10 RBI over 43 games before a wrist injury cut his year short. A right wrist sprain in July landed him on the 60-day IL, continuing an unfortunate trend of injuries that have nagged him early in his pro career. When on the field, Mayer has shown flashes and at just 23, Mayer is expected to be a core part of Boston’s youth movement in 2026. The big question is where he’ll play: the offseason reshuffling has led to speculation about a potential shift off shortstop. His Bowman 1st autos have seen recent refractor sales around $178. If Mayer stays healthy in 2026, that number could look cheap in hindsight.
Kristian Campbell (Boston Red Sox)
Bowman 1st Auto (Raw) Price: $60 (Base)
Campbell was the 2024 Minor League Player of the Year and played his way onto the Red Sox Opening Day roster in 2025. He even won AL Rookie of the Month in April, but overall had an up-and-down campaign. In 67 games split between the Majors and Triple-A, Campbell hit .223 with 6 homers and 21 RBI, often struggling to adjust as scouting reports tightened. Boston may have rushed his development slightly and optioned him back to Triple-A mid-season. Still, his 2024 accolades and solid swing mechanics suggest he’s far from done. With Boston’s infield depth chart crowded, it may take an injury or trade for Campbell to get full-time run to start 2026. But if that happens, he has the tools to respond in a big way. His Bowman 1st autos have cooled from their early hype and now sit around $60 raw. A potential bargain for anyone betting on a bounce-back.
Chandler Simpson (Tampa Bay Rays)
Bowman 1st Auto (Raw) Price: $32 (Base)
Simpson might have zero power, but he brings game-changing speed as “the fastest man in baseball”. Called up by the Rays in 2025, he made an immediate impact with 44 stolen bases in 109 games, the second-most in the AL. Simpson hit .295 as a rookie, relying on slap hitting, bunt singles, and relentless hustle. His profile could yield one of those eye-catching, category-wrecking seasons (think 50+ steals and a .300 average) even if the home runs never come. The Rays are known for mixing lineups, but Simpson’s elite speed should keep him in the mix consistently. His Bowman 1st base autos are affordable, recently selling for around $32 raw. Collectors sometimes sleep on speed-first guys, but Simpson’s fantasy upside and fun playstyle could catch fire if he gets hot early.
Cam Smith (Houston Astros)
Bowman 1st Auto (Raw) Price: $98 (Base)
Smith’s rookie season was a rollercoaster that ended mostly down, but there was just enough to keep him squarely on the hobby radar. At just 22 years old, he broke camp with the Astros and showed flashes including a four-hit, two-homer performance in September that made team history. For the season, Smith posted 9 homers, 15 doubles, and 51 RBI in 118 games, with a .236 average and .671 OPS. The year was uneven, but Smith held his own as one of the youngest regulars in MLB. With raw power and a strong build, he has the potential to at least double his HR output in 2026 if he finds more consistency. The Astros believe in his long-term upside, and if he starts strong, his cards will follow. His base Bowman 1st autos recently sold for $98. That's still quite a healthy number, but still with some room to grow if the breakout clicks.
Enjoy the hunt for these second-year cards, and happy collecting as we approach 2026 Topps Series 1!