Some collectors enjoy specializing there collections by collect only sets or special types of cards such as rookie cards, star cards, common cards, etc. Collectors enjoy collecting rookie cards because they are normally the most valuable card for players. Rookie cards are players who have the special skills needed to play in the major league, but do not have a particular track record. Players can face potential injuries that may shorten their careers or there careers may become shortened due to level of competition within the league.

As of 2006, rookie cards were only to released after a player had played their first major league game, but this has not always been the case. The most popular and valuable cards on the market today are the Bowman Chrome, which are a product manufactured by Topps. Today rookie cards will have the name of the player and 'Rookie Card' on the front of the baseball card, but prior to 2006 there were several rookie cards that were produced where the player had not yet played in a major league game. These cards did not have the rookie logo on the front of them, but the majority of collectors still considered these cards to be true rookie cards.

The new rule may confuse some collectors and to add even more confusion to the equation there are cards that some consider to be a rookie card, but are actually known as 'First Year Cards.' These cards are of players who were actually still playing in the minor leagues when the printing of the cards were manufactured. However, as will most cards the values of a rookie card may increase and decrease according to the career of the player.

Another type of cards that collectors like to focus there collection on are star cards, but when looking up these cards in pricing guides collectors will see a lot of star cards listed. There is also a listing in the pricing guides called 'unlisted star' cards, which are listed at the back of pricing guides. Also included in these listings are semi stars cards and minor star cards, which will help in determining the value of your cards.

Autographed cards have been signed by the player, but there are cards that are known as 'sticker autographs' where players are given sheets of stickers to sign and their autographs are put on various other products that the company may create throughout the year. Some collectors see these cards as being less of actual value because the player did not actually sign them. There are also cards called 'cut autos' where an autograph has been taken from the document, letter, or even a check that the player has previously signed then are placed onto their baseball card. These cards are hard to find are normally from players of the past that are no longer living.

Common cards are the base cards with in a normal set and are usually worth the least. Cards that have been inspected by a third party grading company are known as graded baseball cards. These cards are assigned a grading that is determined on the condition of the card between one and ten, with ten being the best. Memorabilia cards are card that have an object placed somewhere on the card that pertains to the player, which may include a jersey, bat, baseball, etc. Numbered cards are cards that are limited when produced. Error cards will contain some type of typo and are known to increase in value usually.