The 2016 Topps Baseball card series featured some of the game’s biggest stars and top prospects. Like every year, certain rare and coveted rookie cards stood out from the rest as having the most long term potential value. While in-demand veteran cards also commanded higher prices. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the 2016 Topps set’s most valuable cards based around rarity, player performance and historical value trends.
Leading the way is the prized black border parallel rookie card of Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger. Only available as serial numbered to 10 copies, Bellinger’s explosive rookie season that saw him claim NL Rookie of the Year honors skyrocketed the value of this uber-rare parallel. Fetching up upwards of $5,000 in gem mint condition, it’s clear Bellinger has stamped this as one of the most desirable 2016 rookie cards.
Another Dodgers rookie standout, shortstop Corey Seager also had an impressive black border parallelSerial numbered to just 5 copies, Seager’s dominance as a rookie All-Star and his career trajectory point to this as a true blue chip specimen. Seager black borders routinely bring in over $3,000 in top grades.
Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant had an outstanding sophomore campaign in helping lead his team to a World Series title. His silver pack rookie parallel numbered to only 25 copies exploded in value. Bryant silvers trade hands for $800-1,200, showing he has staying power as one of the game’s best young players.
Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto took the MLB by storm as a teenager in 2018. His 2016 Topps Update Chrome green refractor rookie parallel offers a rare early Soto card available in ultra-low single digit population numbers. Green Soto rookies command $500-800 based on his immediate superstardom.
Boston Red Sox lefty reliever Joe Kelly had a breakout 2016 season that carried over to playoff heroics during their 2018 championship run. Early career RCs like his Topps Update Blue Refractor parallel numbered to /25 saw a boost. Kelly blues trade in the $300-500 range.
Another former Dodger now thriving elsewhere is Milwaukee Brewers slugger Travis Shaw. His Topps Update Silver Pack parallel rookie numbered to only 50 copies has maintained strong demand. Shaw silvers consistently hit between $150-250 given his solid offensive production.
Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw remains the face of the Dodgers franchise and one of the game’s best pitchers.Early parallels like his Topps Update Green Refractor numbered to a tiny population of /5 hold significantcollector interest. When a Kershaw green hits the market, expect prices north of $250.
Top prospects in 2016 like Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. also have 2016 cards that jumped in demand after breaking out in full. Guerrero’s Topps Update Orange Refractor RC /50 and Acuna’s Topps Update Silver Pack parallel /50 regularly sell for $150-200 long term holds.
Several veterans delivered All-Star caliber seasons in 2016 that maintained strong demand for their base rookies cards as well. These include Cards’ Matt Carpenter,Indians’ Francisco Lindor and Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo. Each of their flagship RCs trade in the $50-100 range.
As with any collectible genre, condition and scarcity play heavily into the long term value of 2016 Topps cards. But for those featuring players who went on to shine the brightest, the combination of on-field success and limited print runs has made cards like Bellinger, Seager, Bryant and Soto true blue chip modern gems in the 2016 Topps baseball series. Strong future performance by any of these young stars will only serve to increase demand and prices tenfold in years to come.
