The 2015 Topps baseball card series featured some exceptional rookie cards of players who have gone on to stardom in Major League Baseball. Each year, Topps includes young breakout talents in its standard baseball sets and the 2015 edition showcased rookies like Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa, and Francisco Lindor who have all become All-Stars and cornerstone players for their franchises.
Kris Bryant’s rookie card from 2015 Topps (#284) is one of the most sought after from the set. Bryant had a historic rookie campaign with the Chicago Cubs in which he was called up late in the season and still won the National League Rookie of the Year award by slamming 26 home runs. He was a key piece of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship team and has established himself as one of baseball’s premier power hitters, earning NL MVP honors in 2016. Bryant’s rookie card in a PSA 10 gem mint condition has sold for over $300, just showing how beloved and valuable it has become for Cubs fans and collectors alike.
Another phenom rookie to debut in 2015 was Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa. At just 21 years old in his first full season, Correa proved he was a future superstar by batting .279 with 22 home runs and winning AL Rookie of the Year. Correa’s defense at shortstop was also elite right out of the gate as he helped guide the Astros back to relevance. His #331 card from Topps has only increased in demand as Correa has continued producing at an All-Star level for Houston. High-graded Correa rookies now price around the $150-200 range.
Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor also had his rookie card released as #93 in 2015 Topps. While Lindor didn’t win any awards in his first MLB action that year, he displayed the type of all-around brilliance that would define his career. A perennial Gold Glove defender with speed and power at the plate, Lindor emerged as the Indians’ catalyst and leader. He has grown into a true superstar for Cleveland and his exciting style of play only adds to the appeal of his debut cardboard. Lindor’s rising star power maintains the card’s value at around $75 PSA 10.
Other notable rookies featured in the 2015 Topps series included Dodgers starter Julio Urias (#263), Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber (#531), Cardinals hurler Carlos Martinez (#491), Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman (#379), and Yankees second baseman Rob Refsnyder (#375). While not all panned out to be franchise cornerstones, these rookies provided a first glimpse of future talent at baseball’s highest level.
There was also a strongautograph rookie crop in 2015 Topps with hits of players like Steven Matz (#314), Eddie Butler (#312), Jorge Alfaro (#308), and Aaron Nola (#326). Obtaining a signed rookie card of a star in the making instantly skyrockets its collectibility and value compared to the base card. Those who obtained an on-card autograph of Bryant, Correa or Lindor as rookies definitely struck gold.
Overall, 2015 Topps proved to be one of the richer rookie classes in recent memory. Seeing the early success of Bryant, Correa, Lindor and others has stamped that particular set as one to watch for future Hall of Famers. While the sport has produced many talented rookies since, few debut years can match the star power and immediate impact shown by this crop. Their rookie cards continue gaining in significance as the players’ careers progress. Collectors who picked up these rookies in 2015 undoubtedly expect them to retain and potentially increase in value as the players cement their legacy on the diamond. The 2015 Topps baseball set delivered several can’t-miss prospects who became franchise pillars, making it one of the premier issues for investable rookie cards.
