Renowned actress Emma Roberts sent shockwaves through the sports collectibles world this week by revealing her latest incredible card pull – the super rare 1-of-1 Gilded Chrome rookie card of Baltimore Orioles infield prospect Jackson Holliday. The “American Horror Story” star took to Instagram to show off the coveted Topps card, which features a young Holliday assuming his signature batting stance.
For Roberts, a noted sports card enthusiast, landing such an elusive card of one of baseball’s most hyped prospects is a major coup. “The face of pulling my most coveted 1/1,” she captioned her IG story showcasing the Holliday masterpiece. It’s just the latest highlight in what’s been a headline-grabbing year for the actress in the trading card realm.
Building an Epic Collection
Over the past several months, Roberts has taken to social media to flaunt some of her other impressive pulls, quickly solidifying her status as one of the most prominent celebrity card collectors. In November, she made waves by posting a scarce 132-of-150 card of Washington Nationals phenom outfielder Dylan Crews. Not long after, Roberts was back at it, this time revealing a hard-signed card of Yankees prospect Spencer Jones.
It’s clear that the actress has a keen eye for spotting the game’s future stars. Securing cards of Crews, Jones, and now Holliday – three of the most touted minor leaguers – demonstrates Roberts’ skill and savvy in an increasingly competitive collectibles market. Her burgeoning collection is fast becoming the envy of both hobby enthusiasts and her fellow A-list collectors.
The Hype Around Holliday
So what makes the Jackson Holliday card such a monumental pull? The #1 overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft is considered one of the most promising prospects in recent memory. Son of former All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday, Jackson has all the tools to develop into a perennial MVP candidate. His rookie campaign with the Orioles only bolstered the hype, as Holliday posted a .296/.396/.527 slash line with 27 homers across three minor league levels.
Despite some growing pains during his brief 60-game MLB debut in 2024, where the second baseman batted just .189 with 5 HRs, the long-term potential is undeniable. Many evaluators still project the 21-year-old Holliday as a future face of the franchise in Baltimore, drawing comparisons to legendary middle infielders like Derek Jeter and Carlos Correa at the same stage of their careers.
Assessing the Card’s Value
In terms of assessing the Roberts-owned superfractor’s value, there are almost no comparables for a 1-of-1 Chrome Gilded rookie of a prospect of Holliday’s caliber. The last Chrome Update Gilded 1/1 rookie of a #1 overall pick to sell was that of Tigers phenom Spencer Torkelson in 2021, which fetched a staggering $45,000 at auction. Given the escalating market and Holliday’s superior scouting pedigree, it’s not inconceivable that this card could command up to $100,000 from the right buyer.
As a 1-of-1 collectors dream of a potential future Hall of Famer, there’s really no telling how high this card could go in value. If Holliday lives up to his lofty potential, we could be talking about one of the true ‘holy grails’ of the modern market.
– Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions, Heritage Auctions
However, the true worth may extend beyond just dollars and cents for a passionate collector like Roberts. The sheer thrill of beating the odds to land such an uber-rare card of one of the game’s budding superstars is what really drives the actress and so many of her fellow celebrity hobbyists.
More Moves Ahead?
With the 2024 MLB season now in the rearview, many collectors are already looking ahead to what the new year might bring. For Roberts, adding the Holliday holy grail to her flourishing collection may just be the start. Don’t be surprised to see the starlet targeting more up-and-coming young stars as she further solidifies her status as one of the celebrity world’s most formidable card collectors.
Other celebs rumored to be on the high-end cards hunt include award-winning rappers Drake and Quavo, WWE superstar-turned-Hollywood leading man John Cena, and world-renowned DJ Steve Aoki, who recently launched his own collectibles brand. With so many A-listers now all-in on sports cards, the hobby’s future has never seemed brighter.
As for Jackson Holliday, an offseason of intense training should have the 21-year-old poised to make a major sophomore leap in 2025. Expectations will be sky-high as the Orioles’ top prospect looks to propel last year’s Wild Card squad into serious World Series contention. No matter how his career unfolds, one thing is for certain – thanks to Emma Roberts’ epic pull, Jackson Holliday’s cardboard will be the talk of the collecting world for years to come.
