The 2021 MLB season saw several highly touted prospects make their debuts and start to prove themselves at the highest level of play. While it’s still early in their careers, these rookies showed a lot of promise and their rookie cards have already started to gain value amongst collectors. Let’s take a look at some of the top rookie cards from 2021 that collectors should keep an eye on in the coming years.
One of the most hype rookies of 2021 was Wander Franco of the Tampa Bay Rays. Considered a true five-tool superstar, Franco stunned baseball with a .288 batting average, 7 home runs, and 39 RBI in just 70 games in his debut season. The shortstop position is one with few elite options, making Franco’s skills that much more valuable. His Topps Chrome Sapphire Prizm Orange refractors and Topps Finest Sapphire parallels seem to be gaining the most traction currently. Given Franco’s unlimited potential and the talent level he showed as a 20-year old, his cards could become some of the most valuable of this generation if he continues progressing.
Another highly touted rookie who impressed was Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia. The 28-year old Cuban defector broke out in a huge way, slashing .243/.301/.466 with 31 home runs and 90 RBI. That power output led all MLB rookies and helped spark the Rangers’ unexpected playoff push. Topps Chrome Sapphire Prizm Reds and Bowman Platinum Autographs of Garcia have seen solid early gains in value. With a few more productive seasons, Garcia could develop into a real fan favorite in Texas which would undoubtedly help the appeal of his rookie cards long term.
In Arizona, Wyatt Mathisen didn’t see extended playing time but made the most of his brief cup of coffee. In just 33 at-bats, Mathisen blasted 4 home runs and showed some serious pop from both sides of the plate. His Bowman Chrome Sapphire Prizm Blues parallel and Topps Finest Fire parallel refractors seem primed to take off if he gets more playing time to prove himself in 2022. Mathisen will be one to watch, especially for Diamondbacks fans collecting players from their system.
The San Diego Padres saw top prospects like MacKenzie Gore, Ryan Weathers, and Jake Cronenworth graduate to the big leagues, leaving a new crop of farmhands to follow. One of the most interesting is C.J. Abrams, a shortstop who was called up late in the year. In 58 at-bats with the Padres, he showed solid power and speed with a .232 average, 3 HRs and stolen base. Abrams’ Bowman Chrome Sapphire Prizm Orange parallels and Topps Finest Sapphire parallels are really heating up online. He has the skills to cement himself as San Diego’s shortstop of the future within the next couple seasons and could become one of the premier young stars in baseball if it all clicks.
The Boston Red Sox touted top prospects Triston Casas and Jarren Duran got their first extended tastes of MLB action in 2021. Of the two, Casas in particular drew rave reviews for his hitting prowess and defensive abilities at first base. In 46 games, he slashed .241/.311/.356 with 3 homers and 13 RBI. His 2021 Silver Pack Perspectives Autograph and Topps Fire parallel refractors seem to be some of the more sought after releases showing up online recently. Duran dazzled with his speed, swiping 20 bases in just 98 games, and could develop into the leadoff man Boston needs if he refines his approach. Both have promising futures and talented rosters around them, putting their rookies cards in a good position to gain long term value for collectors.
Switching to the American League East, the Tampa Bay Rays called up shortstop Vidal Brujan for 35 games late in the year. Brujan impressed with his blazing speed and contact skills, hitting .227 with 9 stolen bases in limited playing time. His defensive versatility also adds to his intrigue. Brujan’s 2021 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Prizm Blues and Topps Finest Sapphire parallels have already started to climb as fans eagerly anticipate him playing everyday in 2022. If he can show more consistency at the plate to go with his top-flight skills, Brujan could blossom into a perennial All-Star and one of the game’s most dynamic players.
Over in the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers saw top pitching prospects like Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot, and Andre Jackson all make their MLB debuts in 2021. Of the bunch, Miller in particular wowed scouts by dealing 100mph heat and a biting slider in his few appearances late in the year. He could be on the fast track to the Dodgers rotation in 2022. Miller’s 2021 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Prizm Orange parallels seem to be gaining in value the most now. They present an investment opportunity, as his upside is sky high if he develops hissecondary pitches to match the electric stuff that’s already Major League ready.
Switching leagues, Baltimore Orioles pitcher John Means emerged as one of the game’s pleasant surprises in 2021. After a All-Star caliber first half, Means finished with a 3.62 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 165.2 innings. His 2021 Topps Chrome Sapphire Prizm Red and Bowman Platinum Parallels are some of the more expensive O’s rookie options on the market today as collectors bet on Means cementing himself as the staff ace going forward. His breakout season showed this former undrafted pitching has what it takes to succeed in the AL East for years to come if he remains consistent.
While it’s still very early in the careers of these rookies, several showed flashes of genuine star potential in their MLB debut campaigns in 2021. Franco, Abrams, Miller, and Brujan in particular seem poised for stardom if their development continues on track. Their top rookie cards from flagship Topps products as well as Chrome, Finest, and higher end sets like Bowman Platinum offer affordable investment opportunities for long term upside as these young stars hopefully rise to the top of the league. Be sure to keep an eye on these talented rookies throughout 2022 and beyond as their card values could really take off with more success on the field.
