The 2021 Donruss baseball card set was released in late 2020 and early 2021 and features current MLB players from that season. While not the most valuable modern base set at retail prices, there are several rookie cards and parallels in the 2021 Donruss set that can command good money on the secondary market for serious collectors. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top 2021 Donruss cards that are worth pursuing.

Bo Bichette – Bo Bichette has established himself as one of the premier young shortstops in baseball playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. His rookie cards from previous years like 2019 Update have done very well. The Bichette base rookie card from 2021 Donruss isn’t overly valuable at around $10-15 raw currently. The parallels have much more potential long term. The Bichette pink refractor parallel /250 has sold for up to $150 raw already. The true top Bichette from 2021 Donruss though is the red refractor auto /25. Examples have crossed $1,000 on auction sites. With Bichette’s continued strong play, these rare cards will remain highly sought after.

Wander Franco – Considered the top prospect in baseball entering 2021, Wander Franco made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays and didn’t disappoint. The Franco base rookie from 2021 Donruss isn’t anything too special at under $20 like most base rookies. The parallels are a different story. The Franco green refractor /499 has sold for over $100 raw. The true prize is the Franco red refractor auto /25 with examples exceeding $1,500. If Franco lives up to the massive hype long term, these scarce parallels could become true superstar cards in the years to come.

Jarred Kelenic – Called up early by the Seattle Mariners in 2021, Jarred Kelenic showed flashes of promise in his rookie season. While the base Kelenic rookie is inexpensive at $10-15, some of the numbered parallels hold much more value. The Kelenic pink refractor /250 has topped $75 raw already. The Kelenic red refractor auto /25 though is even rarer, with examples crossing $600+. As Kelenic develops further in Seattle, these exclusive numbered rookie cards will remain in high demand.

Riley Greene – Considered a future star for the Detroit Tigers, Riley Greene suffered an injury in 2021 that prevented him from debuting in the majors. That makes his 2021 Donruss base rookie card around $15-20 raw currently since he didn’t log any MLB stats. The Greene parallels hold much more promise. The green refractor /499 has hit $70+. Even better, the Greene red refractor auto /25 has sold for over $900 raw. As Greene’s anticipated debut approaches, these rare cards will climb further.

Bobby Witt Jr. – Bobby Witt Jr. was one of the top prospects heading into the 2021 season and slotted to debut for the Kansas City Royals, but injuries pushed that back to 2022. As a result, his 2021 Donruss base rookie isn’t tremendously valuable around $15 raw currently. But the parallels offer intriguing upside. The Witt Jr. pink refractor /250 is pushing $75. The true big ticket item is unsurprisingly the Witt Jr. red refractor auto /25, with sales north of $1,000. This rare parallel captures Witt Jr. on the cusp of his debut and has strong long term potential.

Additional Notable 2021 Donruss Rookies – While the above players represent the true headliners in 2021 Donruss, there are other rookie cards that could grow in value as well depending on player performance:

Adley Rutschman, C, Baltimore Orioles – Top catching prospect, pink refractor /250 over $75 already.

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Detroit Tigers – First overall pick, green refractor /499 pushing $50.

Julio Rodriguez, OF, Seattle Mariners – Emerging star for Mariners, pink /250 over $60.

CJ Abrams, SS, San Diego Padres – Dynamic prospect, pink /250 around $50 range.

Veteran Stars Can Also Hold Value – In addition to the rookies, star veterans in 2021 Donruss can maintain strong resale prices due to their established success:

Shohei Ohtani, Angels – Consistently $20-30 as two-way wonder.

Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres – Among most exciting players, $15-25 range.

Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves – Perennial MVP candidate when healthy.

Juan Soto, Nationals – Entering prime at young age for superstar-caliber player.

Mike Trout, Angels – Perennial #1, even base around $15 due to unmatched greatness.

While 2021 Donruss retail prices remain affordable, there are numerous rookie cards and parallels holding significant value already on the secondary market. For collectors pursuing the top names, some of these scarce short prints could turn into true six-figure cards down the road with sustained success. The 2021 rookie class looks quite promising, making several parallels strong long term prospects.