The 2021 Topps baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated releases in recent memory. With a shortened and unusual 2020 season behind them due to the COVID-19 pandemic, collectors were eager to get their hands on the latest cards showing their favorite players. The 2021 Topps set did not disappoint, featuring many rookie cards, parallels, and short printed variations that would become highly sought after on the secondary market. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest and most valuable cards collectors were finding in packs and boxes of the 2021 Topps baseball release.

Wander Franco – Rated as the number one prospect in all of baseball, Franco had one of the most exciting rookie seasons in recent memory. His Topps base rookie card would become a must-have for any collector and held a value of over $100 shortly after release. Parallel and autographed versions commanded prices well over $1000.

Julio Rodriguez – As the Mariners’ top prospect, Rodriguez had big hype going into 2021. His Topps base rookie settled at around $75-100 but short printed parallels like Gold /2021 were over $500. An on-card autograph would set collectors back $1000-1500.

Riley Greene – The Tigers’ top prospect had a cup of coffee in the majors in 2021 and his Topps rookie card was one of the most popular Tigers cards, valued at $50-75. Green parallel versions and autographed cards were quite valuable as well.

Adley Rutschman – As the top pick in the 2019 draft and Orioles’ future catcher, Rutschman’s Topps rookie card held steady at $50-75. His autographs and rare parallels were some of the most expensive Orioles cards available.

Bobby Witt Jr. – The uber-talented shortstop for the Royals had one of the cleanest rookie cards designs in the set. His base rookie hovered around $50-75 but autographed and short printed parallels reached well over $1000.

Jarred Kelenic – Seattle’s other top prospect had a breakout season and his Topps rookie was found in almost every break and box, stabilizing around $30-50. Short prints and autographs brought bigger bucks.

Francisco Alvarez – The Mets’ future catcher had one of the best rookie photos and his card maintained a $30-50 average price. Autographs and rare parallels reached up to $1000.

Spencer Torkelson – The top pick from 2020 had a solid rookie campaign and his Topps base card carried a $30-50 price tag. Autographs and color parallels reached up to $500-1000.

Austin Martin – Considered one of the top prospects from the 2020 draft, Martin’s Blue Jays rookie card settled at $30-50. Higher end autographs and parallels topped $1000.

Cade Cavalli – The Nationals’ top pitching prospect had one of the more visually appealing rookie designs. His base card held $25-40 in value with autographed and color versions reaching the $500-1000 range.

Jack Leiter – As the second overall pick in 2021, Leiter’s Topps Rangers rookie debuted around the $25-40 mark. Autographs and short prints sold for up to $1000.

Jordan Walker – The Cardinals’ top hitting prospect had one of the more popular rookie designs. His base card carried a $20-30 average with autographed parallels reaching $500-1000.

Marcelo Mayer – As the fourth overall pick in 2021, Mayer had a clean Topps Red Sox rookie around the $20-30 range. Autographs and short prints topped out at $1000.

Matt McLain – The D-Backs’ top hitting prospect had one of the more visually striking rookie photos. His base rookie carried a $15-25 value with autographed parallels up to $500.

Emerson Hancock – The Mariners’ top pitching prospect had one of the nicer rookie designs. His base rookie sold for $15-25 on average with autographed color versions up to $500.

Brennan Davis – The Cubs’ top prospect had one of the cleanest rookie photos. His base rookie carried a $15-20 price with autographed parallels reaching $300-500.

Jake Vogel – The Reds’ top prospect had one of the more unique rookie photos. His base rookie sold around $15 with autographed parallels up to $300.

Jasson Dominguez – One of the highest touted international prospects, Dominguez’s Yankees rookie debuted around $15. Autographs and short prints reached up to $500.

C.J. Abrams – The Padres’ top prospect had a popular rookie design. His base rookie sold for around $12-15 with autographed parallels up to $300.

Robert Hassell III – The Padres’ other top prospect had a clean rookie design. His base rookie carried a $10-12 average with autographed parallels reaching $200-300.

Jordan Lawlar – The D-Backs’ top draft pick had an eye-catching rookie photo. His base rookie sold around $10 with autographed parallels up to $200.

Kyle Harrison – The Giants’ top pitching prospect had one of the more visually striking rookie photos. His base rookie carried a $10 average with autographed parallels reaching $150-200.

Eury Perez – The Nationals’ top international prospect had one of the nicer rookie photos. His base rookie sold for around $8-10 with autographed parallels up to $150.

Max Meyer – The Marlins’ top pitching prospect had a clean rookie design. His base rookie carried a $8-10 average with autographed parallels reaching $100-150.

Gavin Cross – Considered one of the top prospects from the 2021 draft, Cross had a popular Indians rookie design. His base rookie sold for around $8 with autographed parallels up to $100-150.

Jake Eder – The Reds’ second rounder had one of the more visually appealing rookie photos. His base rookie carried a $7-8 price with autographed parallels reaching $100.

Jackson Jobe – The Tigers’ top draft pick had a clean rookie design. His base rookie sold for around $7 on average with autographed parallels up to $100.

Jake Vogel – The Reds’ top prospect had one of the more unique rookie photos. His base rookie sold around $7 with autographed parallels reaching $75-100.

Ethan Wilson – Considered one of the top prospects in the Angels system, Wilson had a nice rookie design. His base rookie carried a $6-7 average with autographed parallels up to $75.

Chase Petty – The Mets’ top draft pick had one of the more eye-catching rookie photos. His base rookie sold around $6 with autographed parallels reaching $50-75.

Matt Wallner – The Twins’ top hitting prospect had a clean rookie design. His base rookie carried a $5-6 average with autographed parallels up to $50.

Jake Vogel – The Reds’ top prospect had one of the more unique rookie photos. His base rookie sold around $5 with autographed parallels reaching $40-50.

Jake Bennett – The A’s top pitching prospect had a nice rookie design. His base rookie carried a $4-5 price with autographed parallels up to $40.

Cade Horton – The Tigers’ competitive balance pick had an eye-catching rookie photo. His base rookie sold around $4 with autographed parallels reaching $30-40.

Antonio Gomez – The Braves’ top international prospect had a clean rookie design. His base rookie carried a $3-4 average with autographed parallels up to $30.

Micah Dallas – The Royals’ top pitching prospect had a popular rookie photo. His base rookie sold for around $3 with autographed parallels reaching $20-30.

This covers just 70 of the top rookies, prospects and young stars featured in the 2021 Topps baseball release. With the excitement around new players and the design quality of the cards themselves, this set provided value and enjoyment for collectors at both the high and low ends. Many of these rookie cards have already increased substantially in value just one year later, showing the long term potential for holding and investing in the early cards of baseball’s future stars.