The 2020 Topps Baseball card set featured some of the biggest young stars and veteran legends in the game. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays and changes to the season, Topps still produced an iconic set that has already seen some cards rise dramatically in value. With flagship rookies of stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Bo Bichette, and Gavin Lux, along with parallel and short printed veterans, the 2020 Topps offerings truly had something for every type of collector. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the set’s most valuable cards that could continue appreciating or hold long term value.
Fernando Tatis Jr. Base Rookie Card (#166) – Arguably the biggest star and most exciting young player in baseball, Tatis’ rookie exploded in popularity and demand in 2020. With his highlight-reel plays and MVP caliber season, Tatis positioned himself as the future face of the game. His base Topps rookie has seen immense growth, climbing well over $100 raw and graded gem mint 10’s in the thousands of dollars. Even higher-end parallels like Gold (#166), Rainbow Foil (#166), and Negative (#166) have all cracked triple digits as Tatis mania shows no signs of slowing down.
Bo Bichette Base Rookie Card (#468) – Similar to Tatis, Bichette burst onto the scene in 2019 and showed why he’s a future All-Star with his performance and highlights in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. While not quite as hyped as Tatis, Bichette still had an amazing rookie season and his base card climbed past $50 raw over the last year. The Rainbow Foil parallel (#468) also soared near the $200 mark as Bichette became a star in Toronto. With both Tatis and Bichette under long-term team control, their values should remain strong barring any injuries.
Gavin Lux Base Rookie Card (#685) – The Dodgers’ top prospect finally got his shot in 2020 and showed why he’s such a highly-regarded talent. While he didn’t rack up stats like Tatis and Bichette, Lux still produced at a high level in his half-season debut. His base rookie climbed from under $10 to around $30-40 over the last year and could keep rising if he builds on his initial success in 2021. Higher parallels have also seen solid gains, with the Gold (#685) pushing near $100 and the Rainbow Foil above $200 last check.
Jasson Dominguez Mini Base Rookie Card (#350) – At just 16 years old, Dominguez signed with the Yankees for $5.1 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 and was arguably the biggest international free agent. Bursting with tools and upside, Dominguez isn’t eligible to debut until 2023 at the earliest but the hype is real. His mini base rookie exploded from under $5 to over $100 in the last year alone. Many believe Dominguez could be a true five-tool superstar, so hold onto this one for the long haul.
Luis Robert Base Rookie Card (#674) – Another big money international signee, Robert lived up to the hype in his White Sox debut, slashing .338 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI in 31 games. His smooth left-handed swing and elite athleticism have many projecting him as a perennial All-Star. While he cooled off after his fast start, Robert’s base rookie has still climbed from under $10 to around $30-40 currently. Higher parallels like Gold (#674) and Rainbow Foil (#674) near the $100-150 range could keep rising if Robert takes another step forward in 2021.
Mike Trout Limited Logo Swatch Auto /99 (#147) – As one of the greatest players of all time, anything Trout autographed holds immense value. This logoman patch and auto parallel from 2020 Topps tops out at just 99 copies. While extremely rare and pricey, one recently sold for over $6,000 and prices could keep rising long term as Trout solidifies his Hall of Fame case. Any low-numbered Trout auto in this coveted set is bound to appreciate tremendously with time.
Jacob deGrom Superfractor 1/1 (#467) – DeGrom has established himself as the game’s best pitcher when healthy in recent years and won his second straight Cy Young Award in 2020. This ultimate 1-of-1 parallel features bright fluorescent color and extended borders. While a hefty current price tag near $4,000, cards of this level of rarity featuring elite modern talents are sound long-term investments. DeGrom remains in his prime and another Cy Young caliber campaign in 2021 could drive this card’s value even higher.
Christian Yelich Mini Logo Swatch Auto /25 (#464) – Prior to a season-ending injury in 2020, Yelich was coming off back-to-back NL MVP campaigns and established himself as one of baseball’s best hitters. This low-numbered mini logo patch auto captures Yelich during his peak years. With strong trade value already near $700 raw, Yelich’s health will be a big factor, but cards of this caliber from the heartbeat of Brewers franchises typically hold on to their worth.
Freddie Freeman Rainbow Foil 1/1 (#490) – As the longtime anchor of the Braves, Freeman has developed into a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. This scarce parallel captures him inarguably at his peak. While Freeman isn’t quite the household name of some stars, he’s a true franchise player and leader. With his elite consistency, high character, and tenure in Atlanta, cards like this that showcase Freeman’s brilliance have a legitimate shot to appreciate over the coming decades as his Hall of Fame case gains momentum and Braves fandom evolves.
There are certainly other premium 2020 Topps rookie cards, autographed parallels, and short prints that hold monster long-term potential. These selections showcase some of the biggest rarities, stars and prospects from the coveted flagship issue that have already taken off in value but could continue to ascend if these players live up to their enormous potential over the next 5-10+ years. With the heightened attention on the modern MLB market, strategic investing in elite modern rookies and parallels could yield tremendous returns with patience.
