The 2015 Topps baseball card set was the 77th regular issue baseball card set produced by Topps. It contained several parallel and insert sets beyond the base cards. Much like previous years, the 2015 Topps set featured many rising stars as well as veteran all-stars. While complete base sets hold relatively modest value a few years after release, some of the short printed parallels and rookie cards from the 2015 Topps set have appreciated nicely. Let’s take a closer look at the most valuable 2015 Topps cards to have in a collection several years later.
Perhaps the most coveted card from the 2015 Topps set is the Mike Trout autograph rookie card numbered to just 99 copies. Trout has cemented himself as the best all-around player in baseball and his rookie cards continue climbing in value every year. The low numbered autograph parallel from his flagship Topps rookie year is the pinnacle Trout card to own. Fresh to the market in 2016, graded PSA 10 examples were bringing $8,000-$10,000. Now in 2022, the card demands $30,000-$40,000 in top grade.
Another predictable riser from 2015 Topps was the Kris Bryant autograph rookie card serial numbered to 199 copies. Bryant went on to win NL Rookie of the Year and become a perennial MVP candidate. Like Trout, his Topps flagship rookie autographs are the most desired. Low pop PSA 10 Bryant autos from ’15 Topps now go for $15,000-$20,000, up from a $5,000 price tag a few years ago. Freddie Freeman also had a well-received autograph rookie card numbered to just 99. Considered undervalued in the past, PSA 10 examples now regularly top $7,500.
Some of the biggest jumps in value can be seen with short printed parallels from 2015 Topps. The Clayton Kershaw ’92 Bowman refractor parallel card numbered to just 25 copies was a hot ticket item upon release. With Kershaw continuing to cement his legacy as one of the game’s greatest pitchers ever, PSA 10 examples now command over $6,000 compared to a $2,000 price tag years ago. Similarly, the Mike Trout ’91 Bowman refractor parallel copy doubled from $4,000 to $8,000 as Trout performed at an otherworldly level.
Other notable risers from the ’15 Topps set parallels include the following: Mookie Betts refractor auto /25 approaching $4,000, Francisco Lindor negative refractor /50 around $3,500, Corey Seager atomic refractor /70 pushing $3,000, Carlos Correa atomic refractor /70 surpassing $3,000 as well. Each of those aforementioned parallels were barely $1,000 fresh to the market.
Staying in the realm of short printed parallels, the ’15 Topps Chrome Update purple refractor parallel cards numbered to just 10 copies also exploded in value. The hits here include Carlos Correa up to $2,500 from under $1,000, Kris Bryant to $2,000 from $650, Addison Russell over $1,500 from $500. Similarly, the blue refractor parallel counterparts numbered to 50 saw impressive jumps led by short printed rookies like Joc Pederson to $1,250 from $400.
One of the standout base rookies from 2015 Topps that maintained strong value is Chicago Cubs star third baseman Kris Bryant. His prestigious 311 card is a fan favorite and indicator of his promising career. High grade PSA 10 Bryant 311 rookies consistently sell in the $150-$200 range years after release, appreciating from a $50 price tag previously. Many experts predict the card could eventually rival or surpass $500 given Bryant’s continued success.
While most 2015 Topps base cards remain fairly obtainable and affordable several years later, some select short printed parallels and rookie cards have seen tremendous price increases. Low serial autographs of Trout, Freeman, and Bryant lead the way, with sharp declines in print runs boosting Kershaw, Lindor, Correa and others as well. For patient collectors, 2015 Topps houses many potentials for long term appreciation embedded within the veteran stars and rising talents featured throughout the classic issued set.
