The 2012 Topps baseball card set included several highly collectible and valuable rookie cards that have increased significantly in price in recent years. The release followed the tradition of Topps baseball cards dating back to 1951 and featured many of the game’s biggest stars and top prospects. While not quite as legendary as the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card, several 2012 issues have emerged as key pieces for collectors.
Perhaps the most notable rookie card from 2012 Topps is that of Washington Nationals phenom Bryce Harper. Considered one of the most hyped prospects of all time coming out of high school, Harper did not disappoint in his age-19 rookie season in 2012. He won the NL Rookie of the Year award while batting .270 with 22 home runs and 59 RBI in 139 games. Harper’s formidable power and athleticism marked him as a future superstar from the very beginning. Not surprisingly, his shiny Topps rookie offers an appealing long-term hold for collectors.
In pristine mint condition, the Harper RC has increased over ten-fold since issue, now easily demanding over $1000 raw. Even well-centered examples in EX-MT condition can sell for $200-300 raw, showing how invested collectors remain in the potential career achievements of a still-young Harper. As he continues putting up All-Star caliber numbers and brings more hardware to D.C., the value roller coaster on this coveted card is sure to keep climbing. Serious Harper PC holders will pay dearly to add high-graded editions to their collections for years to come.
Another major 2012 rookie with serious future potential value is that of Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels. Trout broke out with a phenomenal age-20 season in 2012, batting .326 with 30 home runs, 83 RBI, and 49 stolen bases en route to the AL Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. Like Harper, his rare five-tool skills and youth left no doubt Trout was destined for superstardom. The hobby responded by gobbling up and locking away his flashy Topps RC in anticipation.
In the ensuing years, Trout has cemented himself as perhaps the best all-around player in baseball today. Not surprisingly, demand has followed his on-field dominance. Mint Trout rookies hover around $800 raw lately, with overall price movement matching his career ascent up the WAR leaderboards. As he continues producing at an otherworldly level into his prime, expect this classic issue to command $1000+ for lower-grade copies and four-figure sums for true gems. Alongside the likes of Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr., Trout collectors know they’re holding one of the defining rookie cards baseball has ever seen.
While the rookie cards of Harper and Trout garner the lion’s share of attention and trade volume for 2012 Topps, several other valuable prospects debuted as well. One of particular interest is Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Cody Bellinger. Though he didn’t break through fully at the MLB level until 2017, Bellinger began generating buzz in the minors as early as 2012. His smooth lefty swing and emerging power portended a future cornerstone player for the storied Dodgers franchise.
Sure enough, Bellinger has since blossomed into an MVP-caliber slugger. He smacked 39 home runs in a Rookie of the Year campaign in 2017 before leading the NL with 47 round-trippers the next year. Now a perennial All-Star, his prospect card from 2012 Topps reflects the foresight of collectors who gambled on his massive offensive upside. Even well-off-center near-mint copies currently sell in the $75-125 range. With Bellinger still just 25 and locked in as LA’s premier power bat for years to come, his rookie stands to appreciate considerably as his prime unfolds.
A couple of other notable 2012 Topps prospects showing positive long-term potential include Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story and Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez. Story debuted with 27 home runs in 2016 and seems entrenched as the Rockies’ starting shortstop long-term. Meanwhile, Jimenez has progressed quickly since signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2013. After mashing in the minors, he broke out with 31 homers in 2019 to establish himself as a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat for the White Sox.
With continued success at the big league level, both players’ 2012 rookie cards profile as worthwhile speculative PC additions. Story’s near-mint copies trade around the $30 mark currently. Jimenez, meanwhile, has seen more notable price jumps lately with his burgeoning star potential. Mint examples change hands for $80-100 or more as scouts drool over his rare power/hit tool combo still developing in his early twenties. Collectors betting on these players to mushroom into annual All-Star talents could be well-rewarded down the road.
Of course, the 2012 Topps set also included countless career all-stars and Hall of Famers well into their primes. Standouts like Mike Trout, Buster Posey, Clayton Kershaw, and Andrew McCutchen were producing at superstar levels just entering their twenties. Other entrenched stars popping up included Ryan Braun, Ryan Zimmerman, David Wright, and Joey Votto among many others. Near-mint copies of these impact veterans can command $10-30 or more based on performance and team affiliations.
While the 2012 Topps release may lack the true vintage aura of 1950s issues, savvy collectors have learned this diverse set contains tremendous long-term value tied to emerging young talents and established icons alike. Keys like the rookies of Harper, Trout, Bellinger and others profile as blue-chip holdings thanks to their megawatt potential. Meanwhile, perennial stars will maintain relevance and demand for hardcore PC collectors. With a blend of proven production and future potential unlocked, 2012 Topps offers today’s investors much to appreciate.
