The year 2016 saw several high-profile rookie cards introduced to the baseball card collecting world that have the potential to become extremely valuable in the decades to come. While it’s still far too early to tell exactly how prices may rise for 2016 rookie cards over the long run, there were definitely cards released that year featuring big name stars that are already starting to gain Noticeably in price among enthusiasts. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most potentially valuable 2016 baseball cards collectors should keep an eye on.
Perhaps the biggest rookie card from 2016 that jumps out as having massive future value is that of Chicago Cubs star third baseman Kris Bryant. Bryant enjoyed one of the finest rookie seasons in recent memory, helping lead the Cubs to their first World Series title since 1908. He was named National League Rookie of the Year and won the NL MVP award that year as well. Bryant’s rookie card came from top manufacturer Topps and its various baseball card products in 2016. The standard Topps Bryant rookie is valuable now in high grade, fetching several hundred dollars for a Mint Condition copy. As one of the absolute elite players in the game today who many feel has Hall of Fame potential, Bryant’s rookie card could sell for tens of thousands of dollars graded Mint in 20-30 years if he has a career anywhere near the expectations. The 1/1 Prizm Blue Sparkle Parallel rookie would be worth a small fortune in the future as the lone copy.
Another huge rookie card introduced in 2016 was that of Cleveland Indians phenom Francisco Lindor. While still young himself, Lindor has already established himself as one of the premier all-around shortstops in baseball. He’s been an All-Star multiple times and a Gold Glove winner as well in just his first few full seasons. Lindor’s Topps rookie is relatively affordable now but shows signs of rising in both demand and price as his playing career progresses. If he maintains his early excellence for a decade or more, high-grade Lindor rookie cards could be in the thousands of dollars someday. Parallel and autographed versions would hold exponentially more value long-term.
Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers broke in with the team in 2016 and didn’t disappoint. The young third baseman/shortstop batted .308 with 26 home runs and 72 RBI in his debut season, winning NL Rookie of the Year honors. On top of that, Seager has been a playoff hero for LA, earning NLCS and World Series MVP awards already in his first few seasons. As the anchor of one of baseball’s premier franchises for what could be a Hall of Fame career, Seager’s Topps rookie card seems poised to command big money down the road, likely rivaling Bryant’s card as one of the costliest from the 2010s era. Parallel and autograph versions have the potential to break six figures ungraded if Seager lives up to his potential.
The 2016 baseball card class also saw some truly special pitchers make their card debuts. Chief among them was Cincinnati Reds flamethrower Raisel Iglesias. A deceptive hard thrower from Cuba, Iglesias emerged as one of the NL’s top closers right away while still in his mid-20s. His control of an electric fastball and slider combo make him a threat for saves for many years in Cincinnati. Iglesias’ Topps rookie is a strong long-term hold, with a chance to be a prominent reliever card in the future. Toronto Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez is another 2016 rookie pitcher who showed early promise that could pay big dividends for collectors if sustained. He threw a no-hitter in 2016 and has flashed ace stuff when healthy in his brief career so far.
Moving beyond the biggest star rookies of 2016, there were several veterans who played key roles on contending teams that year whose cards stand to gain as those clubs remain strong. For the Cubs, workhorse starters Jon Lester and John Lackey were instrumental to the drought-busting championship run. As core members of a revered franchise, demand for high-end autographs and memorabilia cards of these veterans could increase steadily. For the Indians, reliable SP Carlos Carrasco and bullpen ace Andrew Miller helped power a deep postseason run. Cards from stars on perennial contenders tend to appreciate as those successful eras become further enshrined in team lore.
Of course, predicting exactly which players from 2016 will pan out long-term is an inexact science. Injuries, sophomore slumps, or unexpected declines can disrupt even the most promising careers. By focusing on rookies from that year who have excelled right away like Bryant, Lindor and Seager as well as established veterans on championship squads, collectors have a great starting point to find the 2016 baseball cards most likely to gain tremendous value as the years go by. Patience will be required, but holding and grading the top rookies and stars from that season’s crop of cards offers solid potential for tremendous long-term appreciation and profit if the players live up fully to their early promise and place in baseball history. 2016 introduced baseball to several new titans of the sport who should be cornerstone investments for collectors’ portfolios of cards from the 2010s era and beyond.
In summary, 2016 saw legendary rookies like Kris Bryant, Corey Seager and Francisco Lindor make their debut, emerging as franchise cornerstones with promising careers still ahead. Veterans like Jon Lester, Carlos Carrasco and others on contending Cubs/Indians teams could gain as those eras are remembered. While predicting the future is impossible, focusing on stars who excelled right away and may sustain excellence long-term offers collectors the best chances to find truly valuable cards in the 2016 rookie class. Patience and proper preservation grading will serve those holdings well if these players solidify their places among the game’s all-time greats in the statistical record books. The 2016 rookie class introduced several players who seem poised for potential Hall of Fame careers, and their rookie cards could eventually become prize assets for collectors in 30+ years if sustained on-field performance matches early promise.
