I want to say this is one of the best rookie classes that we have had in MLB for many many years. Hobby wise, there might not be a comparable year, with so many players coming up and making an impact. Now that the ROY has been announced as Correa and Bryant, the hobby’s love affair can continue with these two young superstars. As we are seeing, that love is justified and then some.

Carlos Correa – AL Rookie of the Year

Although Bryant started off the year as the top guy in the hobby, I have to believe that Correa finished it atop the mountain. His Chrome autos surged to gargantuan prices, and with a playoff run ALMOST getting past the eventual world champions, the sky was the limit.

Check out his prices now, heading up again after the award:

2013 Bowman Chrome Carlos Correa Auto RC BGS 9.5

2013 Bowman Chrome Carlos Correa Blue Wave Auto RC BGS 9.5

2013 Bowman Inception Carlos Correa Silver Signings /25

2015 Topps Heritage High Number Carlos Correa Red Ink Auto /66

Every so often a rookie comes along that people will expect to define the generation. I dont think Correa is that guy, but man is he going to be fun to watch. We dont have an indication of his progress yet, with only one season under his belt. As for that generational player, he is going to have to unseat Mike Trout, who put up MVP type numbers again for the 4th season in a row.

The hobby loves Correa because he plays a position where options are thin, plays with a vigor that inspires others, and has the power to match his wonderful personality. Its a recipe for hobby success. Houston isnt the greatest team to help his value further, but it almost doesnt matter. He is amazing.

Kris Bryant – NL ROY

In 2013 Puig set the world on fire with a run that was historic. Bryant had that kind of hype coming into 2015, and for the most part, he lived up to it. Although he had some original competition from Joc Pederson, he stayed much hotter through the final weeks of the season when the Cubs were primed for a playoff run. His prices soared again, and tailed off when Chicago was knocked off.

Here are his prices after the award:

2014 Bowman Chrome Kris Bryant Auto RC BGS 9.5

2014 Bowman Chrome Kris Bryant Blue Wave Auto RC

2015 Topps Chrome Kris Bryant Purple Refractor Auto

It should be abundantly clear that Bryant is going to have the eye of collectors for years to come, even if the production doesnt continue to match the hype. Although his hype predecessor in Puig has cooled off significantly, his cards still sell incredibly well. Its hard to shake the love from the hobby when you were hotter than the sun in your rookie year, and still young enough to recover.

Bryant is part of a Cubs battery that has years of productivity ahead of them, including Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler, and Addison Russell. Even though they didnt make it to the World Series this year, there easily could be one in the future.

Again, I dont see Mike Trout in either guy, as that just doesnt happen the way it did with him. That being said, these guys will be hobby ambassadors regardless. Both are great faces to put forth for baseball, and as they develop its going to be fun to watch them become true household names.