Cal Raleigh, Seattle’s “Big Dumper,” has rewritten the MLB record books and he’s blowing up the hobby too.
Cal Raleigh, Seattle’s “Big Dumper,” has rewritten the MLB record books and he’s blowing up the hobby too. This week, Raleigh hit his 60th career homer, the most ever by a catcher or a switch hitter. He’s making a serious MVP case over names like Aaron Judge, and the card market has noticed.
To track the madness, I teamed up with hobby analyst @DahlDoescards, who runs deep data on historical 1st Bowman Chrome auto sales. Together we dug into five of Raleigh’s key rookie and prospect cards. The results? His market has skyrocketed anywhere from +2,800% to an absurd +22,000% off the floor.
🔑 2019 1st Bowman Chrome Base Auto
Range: $17 → $504 (+2,818%)
2025 Avg: $283.62 | Median: $325
Recent Sales: $375, $357, $495, $400, $499
The grail. For years, you could scoop these under $70. Now? They’re averaging $425 per sale in September 2025. A base auto pushing that number shows Raleigh isn’t just a fan favorite — he’s hobby royalty.
💎 2022 Bowman Chrome Rookie Auto
Range: $5.50 → $375 (+6,718%)
2025 Avg: $216 | Median: $211.50
Recent High: $375
Once a $25 throw-in, now a $200+ staple. Bowman rookie autos don’t usually match their 1st Bowman hype, but Raleigh is the exception. The MVP buzz could close that gap even more.
🔥 2022 Topps Chrome Rookie Auto
Range: $10.50 → $425 (+3,948%)
2025 Avg: $185.62 | Median: $199.99
Recent Highs: $285, $299
This is the mainstream rookie everyone wants. From $30 last year to multiple $300 and $400 sales this month, Raleigh’s Topps Chrome has joined the ranks of hobby heavyweights. However, when you consider Aaron Judge’s Topps Chrome Rookie Auto PSA 10 sells for nearly $4,000, perhaps there is still some room for growth.
🚀 2022 Prizm Rookie Auto
Range: $0.99 → $223.50 (+22,476%)
2025 Avg: $79.11 | Median: $81
Recent High: $199.99
Prizm baseball is usually an afterthought, but not when the Big Dumper’s involved. A 22,000% climb is unreal. When even the “off-brand” rookie autos are hot, demand is spilling everywhere. If you bought 100 Cal autos at the floor price you’d have, well, 22,476% more money than when you started.
⚡ 2022 Optic Rookie Auto
Range: $1.54 → $200 (+12,887%)
2025 Avg: $64.95 | Median: $50
Recent Highs: $175, $200
From literal dollar bins to $200 sales. Optic is riding the wave, and it’s the perfect case study of a market so hot that collectors are buying anything with Raleigh’s auto on it.
📈 The Bottom Line
Across five major cards, Raleigh’s market is up an average of 9,768% off the floor.
Blue-chip rocket:2019 1st Bowman Chrome Base Auto: $17 → $504 = +2,864%
Mainstream staple:2022 Topps Chrome Rookie Auto: $10.50 → $425 = +3,948%
Sneaky riser:2022 Bowman Chrome Rookie Auto: $5.50 → $375 = +6,718%
Outlier heater:2022 Prizm Rookie Auto: $0.99 → $223 = +22,425%
Late-wave flyer:2022 Optic Rookie Auto: $1.54 → $200 = +12,887%
The Big Dumper is officially a big winner. If he keeps mashing and the MVP talk sticks, today’s $300–$400 prices could look cheap in hindsight. Just take a look at Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani base rookie autos if you don’t think they could go higher. However, sometimes it’s better to take the guaranteed profit, especially if it’s 9,768%.
So… is it time to take a Big Dumper on Cal’s cards? Could they possible go up even further if the Mariners go to the World Series?
Let us know what you think on Mantel.
Category: General Sports
