The 2008 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the more valuable sets of the modern era.Released in late 2007/early 2008, the set contains a variety of noteworthy rookies, future Hall of Famers, and parallels that have increased the values of many cards over the past decade. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top cards from the 2008 Topps set that hold premium value today.
One of the biggest stars and most valuable rookie cards from the 2008 set is Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. Bryant had a phenomenal rookie season in 2015 where he was named NL Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908. His popularity and on-field success have made his 2008 Topps rookie card one of the most sought after modern rookie cards. In a PSA 10 gem mint condition, Bryant’s rookie currently sells for $800-1000 raw or $2000-2500 graded. Even in a PSA 9 near mint-mint condition, it still fetches $300-500 raw or $800-1200 graded.
Another very valuable rookie from 2008 is Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story. Though Story hasn’t achieved the team success of Bryant, he’s developed into a perennial 25-30 home run hitter and was named to the 2016 NL All-Star team in just his second season. His rookie card isn’t as iconic as Bryant’s but still holds great value due to his solid MLB career so far. A PSA 10 Story rookie sells for around $350-450 while a PSA 9 goes for $150-250.
Future Hall of Famers with premiere cards from 2008 include Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Cliff Lee and San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum. Lee won the AL Cy Young Award in 2008 with a 22-3 record and 2.54 ERA for the Cleveland Indians and is regarded as one of the best postseason pitchers of all-time. A PSA 10 Lee rookie sells for around $150-250. Lincecum dazzled in his first two big league seasons, winning back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards in 2008 and 2009 with the Giants. His sharp declining career since has decreased card values some but a PSA 10 Lincecum rookie still fetches $75-150.
Parallels and short prints injected greater scarcity into the 2008 Topps base set and raised values of certain cards substantially. One is Kris Bryant’s black parallel /125 serial numbered rookie card. In a PSA 10 grade, it sells for around $1200-1800, more than 5x the value of his base rookie. Other high value parallels from 2008 include Trevor Story orange /150 ($250-400 PSA 10), Cliff Lee red /250 ($100-200 PSA 10), and Tim Lincecum gold parallel /50 ($150-250 PSA 10). An ultra-rare Clayton Kershaw blackgold 1/1 parallel rookie also exists and has sold for upwards of $10,000 in the past year.
Top stars with less than 10 years in MLB but already Hall of Fame worthy careers hold great long term value. One is Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw. The 2008 Topps base rookie sells for $50-75 PSA 10 but his career accolades of 3 Cy Young Awards and 2014 NL MVP suggest higher prices ahead as he nears retirement and Cooperstown induction. A PSA 10 Mike Trout rookie from the 2009 Topps set, Trout’s true rookie year, sells for $650-900 as arguably the greatest all-around player of his generation.
The 2008 Topps baseball card set released during a transition year in the hobby from the tail end of the “junk wax” era to today’s resurgence. It contains several all-time great players in their rookie seasons like Bryant, Story, Kershaw, and Trout whose early careers have dramatically increased demand and prices for their rare premium graded rookie cards over the past decade. With several Hall of Fame talents and enduring superstars, 2008 Topps looks poised to remain one of the premier modern sets for investment potential and collecting enjoyment for years to come.
