Panini Adds Minor League Players to Baseball Card Lineup

Panini expands its baseball card portfolio

Panini is adding more depth to its baseball card lineup through a new partnership that will let the company produce cards featuring MLB prospects and future stars. The agreement with MLB Players, Inc., the business arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association, covers active Minor League Baseball players in a non-exclusive, multiyear deal.

The move gives Panini additional access to one of the most popular areas of the hobby, where prospect cards continue to draw strong interest from collectors. With the new agreement, Panini can include minor leaguers in products such as Donruss Elite Extra Edition and Prizm Baseball.

What the deal covers

The partnership expands Panini’s ability to create prospect-focused checklists across multiple baseball brands. While Topps continues to hold the official MLB trading card license, Panini’s agreement with MLB Players, Inc. allows it to feature active Minor League Baseball players in its own product lineup.

According to Panini, the arrangement will support up to 12 products per year that include MiLB players along with collegiate and retired players. The first release under the new structure is Panini Three and Two Baseball, which is scheduled to begin in November.

Why the agreement matters for collectors

Prospect cards have long been a major part of baseball card collecting, especially when players are still climbing through the minors. By adding active MiLB players to more products, Panini is positioning itself to offer more cards tied to the next wave of big league talent.

The company said the added player pool creates more depth across its baseball portfolio and gives it more flexibility in how it builds annual releases. That could mean broader checklists and more opportunities for collectors who focus on future stars.

Statements from Panini and MLB Players, Inc.

Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America, said the inclusion of minor league players adds significant depth to the company’s baseball offerings. He added that Panini looks forward to distinguishing each release within its annual product lineup and giving collectors and fans a way to connect with the sport’s future stars.

Evan Kaplan, president of MLB Players, Inc., said the organization is proud to partner with Panini on the new initiative. He noted that baseball fans have long connected with players through trading cards and said the agreement strengthens that connection by featuring minor leaguers, top prospects and baseball’s stars of tomorrow.

What Panini can now build into baseball products

Cards featuring active Minor League Baseball players
Prospect-focused checklists across multiple Panini baseball brands
Products that combine MiLB players with collegiate and retired players
Up to 12 baseball products per year under the new agreement

First product to feature the new structure

Panini Three and Two Baseball will be the first product to launch under the expanded agreement, with a November debut planned. After that, Panini expects to continue building prospect-driven baseball releases across its annual calendar.

For collectors who follow the minor league pipeline, the deal marks another sign that prospect cards remain a central part of the baseball card market. Panini now has a broader path to include those players in future releases while continuing to develop its baseball lineup around prospects, collegiate names and retired players.