The 2020 Topps Chrome Baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated annual releases in the industry each year. As the premium refractor version of the flagship Topps set, Chrome cards have become quite valuable for hobbyists and investors looking to add premium rookies and stars to their collections. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top cards from the 2020 Topps Chrome Baseball release and explore their current values on the secondary market.
The 2020 rookie class was headlined by prospects like Gleyber Torres, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto who all had monster debut seasons just a few years ago. Similarly, the 2020 rookie crop featured names like Luis Robert, Cristian Pache and others who made immediate impacts in their first MLB action. As a result, their rookies from the 2020 Topps Chrome set command high values. The prized rookie of the set is undoubtedly Luis Robert’s Chrome Blue Refractor /150. Graded gem mint 10 copies have sold for upwards of $2,000 given Robert’s elite 5-tool abilities and rookie season success. Other top Luis Robert rookies like his base Chrome and Chrome Refractor regularly sell for $100-300 raw depending on condition.
Prospect cards of names like Cristian Pache, Dylan Carlson and Bryce Jarvis also hold value despite limited MLB experience given their future star upside. A PSA 10 Blue Refractor /150 of Pache has brought nearly $900 at auction. Top Braves prospect Shea Langeliers also has some valuable prospects cards in the $50-150 range. For established young stars, cards of Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto and Ronald Acuña Jr continue to rise in value each year as they cement themselves as the new faces of MLB. A Tatis Jr. base Chrome can often sell for $50-100 in good condition while a graded gem mint Chrome Refractor routinely fetches over $300.
Veteran superstars also have highly sought after premium Chrome refractors in the set. A Mike Trout Chrome Sapphire /50 in a PSA 10 grade recently went for a staggering $2,350. Even raw, high-grade Trout Chrome Sapphires can sell for $500-1000. Cards of active legends like Albert Pujols and future HOFers like Clayton Kershaw remain highly collectible as well. A Pujols Chrome Sapphire fetched nearly $500 while a Kershaw sold for over $300. Rookies and stars on popular franchises also carry premiums. Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Chrome rookies often sell for $50-150 each given the popularity of the Blue Jays.
Autograph and memorabilia cards are where some of the true high-endChrome cardsand potentially life-changing hits reside. A Tatis Jr. autographed Chrome /5 sold recently for $3,400 while a Soto sold for $2,650.A 1/1 Mike Trout printing plate autograph fetched a staggering $12,000. Top prospects like Jarred Kelenic and Nico Hoerner also have valuable low-numbered autographed Chrome refractors in the $200-600 range. Popular veterans tend to have the most valuable memorabilia cards. A Clayton Kershaw dual jersey /10 sold for nearly $900 while a Mike Trout quad jersey patch /5 reached $3,250. Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts also routinely have high-end memorabilia cards valued close to $1000 or more in pristine condition.
While the sheer size and variability of the 2020 Topps Chrome Baseball card set make defining precise values challenging, these examples demonstrate some of the primary factors that drive demand and pricing on the popular modern issue. Rarity, star power, rookie pedigree, autographs, memorabilia and team popularity all play a role. As the careers and lore of today’s standouts progress, their Chrome cards from 2020 and beyond may become even more valuable collectibles for years to come. The 2020 Topps Chrome release established itself as yet another milestone set capturing the brightest young stars and veterans at the start of a unique pandemic season in Major League history.
