The 2021 Topps Crypt Chronicles baseball card set was released in May 2021 and featured cards of current Major League Baseball players with a focus on the upcoming season. While still early, the set has shown signs of strong potential value increases for key rookie cards and stars of the game.
Like most modern baseball card sets, Chronicles focuses on photographs of players either from recent seasons or portraits taken specifically for the new release. What sets Chronicles apart is its intriguing cryptocurrency-inspired designs and parallels. The base cards feature a Bitcoin-like QR code on the front that can be scanned for additional online content like stats or career highlights.
Parallels and short-printed inserts then take the crypto theme further with terms like “Proof of Stake” and designs mimicking the aesthetic of blockchain transaction records. This unique approach helped drive interest and hype for Chronicles at launch. While the cryptocurrency fad has cooled somewhat since early 2021, the concept remains a novel collectors theme.
Out of the box, the most coveted rookies from Chronicles have been Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco and Seattle Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic. Franco is considered a true five-tool star and top prospect in all of baseball. His card values shot up after an incredible MLB debut in 2021 where he slashed .288/.326/.463 with 7 home runs in just 70 games.
Low serial Franco rookie parallels like “Proof of Stake” (#/25) or “Mined” (#/10) now fetch upwards of $500 on the secondary market. Even his base is around $75-100, showing strong long term potential as Franco establishes himself as an elite offensive and defensive player for years to come.
Kelenic also started strong after a mid-season callup but struggled during his rookie campaign. As a former top-3 prospect, collectors remain high on his upside. His Chronicle rookies currently sell in the $50-75 range and could rise if Kelenic puts it together in 2022. Other notable rookie cards to watch include Luis Garcia of the Astros, Hunter Greene of the Reds, and Bryson Stott of the Phillies.
On the veteran side, superstar names like Mike Trout, Fernando Tatis Jr., Shohei Ohtani, and Ronald Acuña Jr. unsurprisingly carry the highest prices given their established excellence and brand power. Trout’s base is around $30-40 already, which is impressive so early in the product cycle. Parallel and short-printed Trout inserts easily sell for well over $100.
Tatis Jr.’s rising popularity as one of the faces of MLB has lifted his Chronicles cards to near-Trout levels as well. Both players’ values should continue appreciating over the long run barring any unforeseen circumstances. Ohtani remains a must-own given his two-way dominance and cultural impact in Japan and North America. Even minor parallels move for $50-75 due to his unique talents.
Beyond premier rookies and stars, diving deeper into team collections can uncover Chronicle sleepers primed to pop. For example, Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is coming off another All-Star season and eligible for free agency after 2022, which could lift interest. His cards currently sell in the $15-25 range.
Similarly, Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez is garnering Rookie of the Year buzz after a breakout 2021 campaign in the minors. His Chronicles rookie cards move for $15-25 right now but have serious breakout potential if he hits in the bigs as expected. Sleeper prospects like Washington Nationals’ Luis Garcia or Detroit Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson also offer intriguing long shot upside.
While still in the early months since its May 2021 release, Topps Crypt Chronicles has surfaced as one of the stronger modern baseball card sets due to its novel crypto-inspired designs and presence of budding superstars. Savvy collectors scooping up premier rookies of Franco, Kelenic and others as well as veterans Trout, Tatis Jr. and Ohtani stand to achieve substantial appreciation with patience. Beyond the headliners, digging deeper unearths potential breakouts primed to produce strong long term returns. With MLB’s rising popularity, Chronicles cards carry real staying power in the collectibles marketplace.
