The 2013 Topps Baseball card set featured some of the biggest young stars in Major League Baseball and included rookies who would go on to have Hall of Fame caliber careers. While sets from the late 1980s and early 1990s are usually where the high dollar vintage cards reside, the 2013 Topps issue contains several cards that have increased tremendously in value since being distributed nearly a decade ago. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable rookie and star player cards from the 2013 Topps baseball package.
Mike Trout Base Rookie Card (#284) – Widely regarded as one of the greatest young players of all-time, Mike Trout’s rookie card has skyrocketed in value since his rookie season of 2012 where he finished second in AL MVP voting. Trout has won three AL MVP awards already in his career and has established himself as a true five-tool superstar. PSA 10 Gem Mint copies of Trout’s base rookie card were recently selling for over $800. In raw lightly played condition, this card still fetches around $150-200 which is incredible for a card from such a recent set. Trout is still in the prime of his career and barring major injuries, this card should continue its ascent upwards.
Manny Machado Base Rookie Card (#89) – Another early career superstar, Machado broke into the majors in 2012 with the Baltimore Orioles and has established himself as one of the elite two-way third basemen in baseball. Winning Gold Glove awards and making All-Star teams regularly, Machado is still just 26 years old. High graded PSA 10 copies of his base rookie card change hands for $300-400 currently while raw lightly played versions sell for around $100. Machado is a likely future Hall of Famer and his card values should mirror that sustained excellence throughout his career.
Puerto Rico #US76 Insert Card – This beautiful island sunset image featuring players such as Javier Baez, Carlos Correa, and Francisco Lindor has really taken off in the collectibles marketplace. With the rise of international players in Major League Baseball from places like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and elsewhere, cards honoring those communities have increased in popularity. PSA 10 editions of this popular insert routinely sell for $150-200 now while clean raw copies sell for $50-75.
Koji Uehara Base Card (#311) – While not a rookie, Koji Uehara’s breakout season as the dominant closer for the 2013 Boston Red Sox champion team has made his base card quite collectible. The Japanese born Uehara had one of the finest seasons by a relief pitcher in 2013, posting a minuscule 1.09 ERA and 0.57 WHIP while saving 21 games for the Red Sox. He was an instrumental part of their World Series victory that year. PSA 10 copies of Uehara’s base Topps card can be found in the $75-100 range today.
Miguel Cabrera Mini Logo Swatch Auto (#/25) – As one of the truly elite offensive threats of the last 15 seasons, Miguel Cabrera continues to produce at an MVP level even at his advanced age. This short printed mini logo swatch autograph featuring a piece of Cabrera’s jersey material and his autograph has gained prominence with collectors. With a limited run of only 25 copies, high grade versions of thisrare parallel auto fetch over $1,000 when they surface on the secondary market. Even lower quality variants sell for $500+. Cabrera is a true first ballot Hall of Famer whenever he hangs up his cleats.
Yu Darvish Base Refractor (#279) – At the time, Darvish was establishing himself as one of the premier aces in the American League with back-to-back dominant seasons for the Texas Rangers in 2012-2013. This base refracted parallel of Darvish from 2013 Topps captures him during that peak. PSA 10 editions have sold for as much as $275-325 given Darvish’s sustained excellence and how clean refractors retain their appeal for set builders. Even raw lightly played copies can sell in the $100-150 range today, demonstrating Darvish’s lasting impression on collectors from this period.
Yasiel Puig Base Refractor (#297) – During his incredible rookie campaign of 2013, Yasiel Puig took the MLB by storm with his laser rocket arm, breathtaking athleticism in the outfield, and electrifying bat speed at the plate. He immediately became must-see TV and ignited Dodgers fans with memorable celebrations after big hits. While injuries and inconsistency have slowed his production since, Puig’s rookie season left an undeniable mark. His base refractor from 2013 Topps remains one of the most sought after cards from the set, with PSA 10’s selling in the $250 range currently. Even raw copies still fetch $100-150.
Freddie Freeman Mini Logo Jersey Auto (#/25) – As one of the truly elite slugging first baseman of his generation, Freddie Freeman’s sustained excellence with the Atlanta Braves is always in demand on the secondary market. This dual-relic parallel auto featuring a mini logo jersey swatch and auto from 2013 Topps, holds significant collector interest given its short printed nature at only 25 copies produced. High grade examples have sold for over $800 due to Freeman’s continuing All-Star caliber play and rarity of the parallel issue. This is definitely one of the crown jewels from the entire set.
Manny Machado Green Refractor Auto (#/150) – An exceptional player signed parallel, Machado’s base auto from 2013 Topps gains tremendous added allure with the green refractor treatment. While not quite as scarce as lower numbered parallels at 150 copies produced, this card remains highly conditioned sensitive and tough to acquire in pristine quality. Pristine PSA 10 editions have recently sold for as much as $700-750 given Machado’s accolades as one of the game’s preeminent two-way stars today still in his prime. Even higher quality raw variants can bring $400-500 when they surface from patient collectors.
While most 2013 Topps base cards hold nominal value today, it’s clear some early career stars and big name veterans from that set have truly blossomed into very valuable collector items. As players like Trout, Machado, Darvish and more sustain their overall on-field excellence further into Cooperstown caliber careers, their earliest cards stand to appreciate even more over the coming decades. For set builders and speculation collectors, the 2013 Topps release remains a gold mine of emerging talents and special parallel issues that could end up paying dividends down the road.
