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Elly De La Cruz on upswing, collectors jumping on bandwagon
In June 2023, Elly De La Cruz burst onto the MLB scene with a sweet swing, big stats and lots of swagger.
In his first two months in the majors, he accounted for 37 runs, 17 stolen bases and seven homers. In the process, he lit up the memorabilia market. Collectors started paying four and five figures for his rookie cards. Then he hit a wall, batting only .200 from August through October.
Well, we’ve already forgotten about De La Cruz’s second-half slump in 2023. While batting .280 over the first month of the 2024 season, De La Cruz has stolen an MLB-leading 19 bases through early May while also clubbing eight homers and scoring 27 runs. His nightly highlight clips also reveal a high-impact defender; De La Cruz’s cannon-like throws from shortstop have clocked in at over 100 mph— including one that reached an insane 106.9 mph. (Look it up on YouTube.)
Not surprisingly, collectors have climbed aboard the Elly bandwagon. Today on eBay, you’ll find more than 60,000 De La Cruz listings. Compare that to 11,000 items a year ago.
Among recent eBay auction results, these De La Cruz prices stand out:
• $15,300 on 83 bids for a signed 2024 Topps Silver Page Pack Chrome Superfractor. It was marked #1/1 and ungraded.
• $13,900 on 60 bids for another 1-of-1, a 2022 Bowman Chrome Superfractor graded PSA 10.
• $10,000 on one bid for a Sapphire Purple variation of his autographed 2022 Bowman Chrome rookie. One of only 10 made, it was graded PSA 10.
• $8,600 on 48 bids for a 2022 Bowman #1/1 Rose Gold Superfractor graded PSA 10.
• $8,500 on 100 bids for a 2022 Bowman’s Best signed “Best of 2022” Red Lava card. Marked #2/5, it was graded PSA 10.
• $5,200 on 33 bids for a 2024 Topps autographed Sterling Debuts Silver game-worn patch card. A #1/1 issue, it was ungraded but in top condition, judging by the photograph.
Other eye-catching De La Cruz cards include his 2024 Topps Heritage. That set mimics Topps’ classic 1975 design. An ungraded Gold Chrome Refractor version of the card (#4/5) sold for $2,500.
Looking for a De La Cruz autographed baseball? Expect to pay between $100 and $250, depending on condition and provenance.
Elly’s signature is a tough one to decipher. Authenticated examples show he inks a discernible “E” that quickly deteriorates into an up-and-down scribble. If you’re buying, do your homework (autographed examples from card manufacturers are a good guide). And consider a ball’s authentication. The example pictured here came with a Beckett hologram and sold for $177.50.
