Cards
Undervalued Salvador Perez cards could spike after stirring WBC victory
Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals has been one of baseball’s most productive catchers since he arrived in the big leagues in 2012. Yet he’s been undervalued in the collectibles hobby.
That may change on the heels of Venezuela’s stirring win over the United States in the World Baseball Classic and as the veteran catcher leads the Royals into the 2026 season.
It’s not that Perez had a sizzling WBC series at the plate. In fact, he hit only .182 in 22 at-bats. No, his appeal to collectors stands to spike just from the visibility he enjoyed as Venezuela’s captain. Viewers got a clear view of his rousing leadership, his obvious popularity among his teammates, and that omnipresent smile.
For now, you can snag Perez prizes for “minor star” values. A look at the past three months of eBay auctions shows even his most desirable pieces don’t rise above $1,000. Here’s a look at recent Perez prices paid:
• $935 on 30 bids for a 2025 Topps Chrome #1/1 Superfractor.
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• $642 on 32 bids for an ultra-thick 2025 Topps Diamond Icons Preeminent Gold card bearing a piece of game-used Perez spikes (still encrusted with diamond dirt!).
• $318 on 43 bids for a 2022 Topps Cosmic Chrome Star Gaze insert marked #1/10 and graded PSA 10.
• $309 on 37 bids for a 2023 Topps Definitive Collection dual-signed card marked #6/10. This ungraded card features autographs from both Perez and Royals teammate Bobby Witt Jr.
• $256 on 26 bids for a 2011 Bowman Chrome card (unsigned) graded PSA 10.
Perez turns 36 in May, but it’s too early for him to think about hanging up the spikes. In 2025, he blasted 30 homers and drove in 100 runs over 155 games. Those stats were on par with his 2024 season, when he had 27 homers and 104 RBI in 158 games.
All told, this future Hall of Famer has 303 homers, 1,016 RBI and a .264 average.
