The 2021 Topps MLB Elite Extra Edition baseetball card set delivered another exciting high-end product for collectors this year. With only /10 copies of each card produced, Elite Extra Edition offers collectors a chance to own incredibly rare and sought-after memorabilia cards of the game’s biggest stars. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout cards from the 2021 set that are already gaining value on the secondary market.
One of the most valuable rookie cards in the set is the Julio Rodriguez Patch Autograph card. As the top prospect in the Mariners’ organization and one of baseball’s top prospects overall, Rodriguez generated huge hype leading up to his MLB debut in 2022. His Elite Extra Edition patch auto carries a serial number of /10, and features a large swatch of his jersey attached to an on-card autograph. Given Rodriguez’s star potential and the incredibly low serial number, this card has already climbed above the $1,000 price point on the PSA 10 popped market. As Rodriguez continues to develop his all-around game in Seattle, this rookie patch auto will remain one of the crown jewels of his collection.
Another hyped rookie patch auto is Bobby Witt Jr.’s Elite Extra Edition card. The top pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and Kansas City Royals’ second baseman of the future, Witt has five-tool talent and franchise-changing upside. His Elite Extra Edition patch auto /10 features a sizable swatch of his jersey and on-card autograph. With Witt having a strong debut in the majors in 2022 after tearing it up in the minors in 2021, this card has jumped up near the $800-850 range already. As Witt establishes himself as a perennial all-star for the Royals, his flagship rookie patch auto will only grow in desirability and value for dedicated PC collectors.
Moving to veteran stars, the Mike Trout Autograph Memorabilia /10 card is easily one of the most iconic pieces from the 2021 Elite Extra Edition release. Featuring a large swatch of Trout’s iconic jersey paired with his signature in bright blue ink, this card perfectly captures the allure and singular talent of the three-time AL MVP. With Trout definitively cementing his place among the games all-time greats over the past decade, nearly any Trout card is a treasure to own. This incredibly rare flagship jersey auto /10 makes it one of the true Holy Grail cards in the set. Last selling north of $2,300, Trout cards will remain a cornerstone of the high-end memorabilia market for years to come.
Shohei Ohtani’s dual-threat exploits on the mound and at the plate have taken MLB by storm over the past few seasons, and his Elite Extra Edition dual-relic auto /10 perfectly captures his unique two-way talents. Featuring a jersey swatch paired with a bat relic, both authenticated by Ohtani’s elegant signature, this may be the definitive Ohtani card in the set. Given his continued superstar ascension and multi-dimensional skillset, Ohtani has developed into one of the faces of the league. As such, this flawless dual-memorabilia signature is poised only to grow in significance and secondary value for serious Ohtani PC collectors.
Still with the Angels but hailing from a previous generation of superstars, Mike Trout’s teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Albert Pujols also has an incredible rare memorabilia auto in the set. Numbered a minuscule /10, Pujols’ dual-relic signature card boasts both a large jersey swatch and bat wood fragment with an expertly placed auto. As Pujols marches toward 700 career home runs and cements his place among the games all-time great sluggers, this uber-short printed showcase dual-relic of “The Machine” is one of the absolute cornerstone pieces for any Pujols PC. Last selling in the $800 range, Pujols cards continue gaining in value as he closes in on retirement.
Shifting gears to legendary veterans of a past era, Derek Jeter’s Elite Extra Edition dual-relic auto /10 is truly worthy of the Yankee Captain’s illustrious career. Featuring an authentically patched jersey swatch alongside a authentic game-used bat shard, both authenticated by Jeter’s elegant cursive, this serves as a true historic representation of the illustrious #2. As one of the most respected and accomplished players of all-time, nearly any Jeter card is a centerpiece, but this incredibly rare dual-memorabilia masterwork takes the cake. Despite its lofty $1,300+ price tag, it’s a true piece of on-field history for any diehard Yankee fan’s collection.
The 2021 Topps MLB Elite Extra Edition baseetball set had no shortage of all-time memorabilia cards for the games top talents both present and past. Featuring short printed, authentically patched jersey and game-used memorabilia singles, paralleled by sharp on-card autographs, the set delivered true one-of-one treasures for collectors of the sports most iconic players. With only a small fraction of cases produced, cards like the flagship rookies of Rodriguez and Witt, and spectacular veteran rainbow foil autos of Trout, Ohtani, Pujols, and Jeter will remain intensely sought after collector’s items for years to come.
