October Market Trends: What’s Hot Across the Hobby

The MLB postseason is here, and playoff drama is fueling card demand. Stars like Shohei Ohtani and Bryce Harper are drawing heavy attention as they chase October glory, while young pitchers and role players with clutch performances are becoming surprise hobby favorites. Collectors should watch for quick surges in PSA 10 rookies and parallels, but also remember that hype often cools down — creating buying windows for those with patience.

On the basketball side, preseason excitement is building fast. Rookie cards from this year’s NBA draft class are starting to hit the market, and early standout performances could send certain Prizm and Select parallels soaring. Veterans like Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, and Anthony Edwards remain stable plays, but savvy collectors are also targeting undervalued second- and third-year players before the season tips off. Checking population reports before grading is essential, as oversaturated rookies may not hold long-term value.

Meanwhile, the NFL hobby remains as reactive as ever. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward is the centerpiece of this year’s hype, with Travis Hunter adding unique two-way intrigue. Skill players like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase continue to command strong demand, proving that collectors are expanding beyond just QBs. Weekly swings in performance drive short-term market spikes, but consistency and grading quality (especially chasing PSA 10s) remain the long-term keys to success in football cards.