2025 MLB Playoffs: Top Contenders, Player Trends & Smart Collecting Moves

The 2025 MLB postseason picture is settling into place. In the National League, clinched teams include the Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and San Diego Padres. In the American League, Seattle Mariners locked in the West division and earned a first-round bye, while Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Guardians, Red Sox, Astros, and Tigers are battling for playoff spots and seeding. Within these teams, certain players and prospects are drawing collector attention heading into October.

On the contender side, Corbin Burnes (Brewers), Aaron Nola and Bryce Harper (Phillies), and Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) remain high-demand names in the hobby. Ohtani, in particular, continues to dominate jersey sales and fan interest, reinforcing his status as a perennial collectible star. Young stars like Cade Horton (Cubs) are also attracting attention, especially as the Cubs return to postseason play after a long drought. During playoff runs, collector demand often surges for postseason heroes and high-leverage performers — think clutch homers, big strikeouts, and late-inning heroics.

That said, targeting non-playoff teams can yield discount opportunities if you know where to look. For teams that missed October, seek rising young talent, breakout hitters, or undervalued veterans whose value hasn’t caught up yet. Players like Junior Caminero Bobby Witt Jr, and Corbin Carroll, who’s been climbing in recognition, could be ripe for speculation. Also consider pitchers with strong peripherals (strikeout rate, walk rate) but less media hype — their performance can surprise collectors. Another tip: after playoff teams’ hype saturates the market, look for pullbacks in those very names as fatigue sets in — these dips can be buying windows for patient collectors.