The 2021 Prizm Draft Picks baseball card set was highly anticipated by collectors due to the star power and potential of the players featured in the rookie class. Panini’s Prizm brand has become synonymous with high-end modern basketball cards in recent years, making its foray into baseball a big deal. While it’s still early in the careers of the players from the 2021 draft, some have already shown promise on the field. This article will breakdown some of the top rookie cards to collect from the 2021 Prizm Draft Picks baseball set based on the players’ talent and future outlook.
One of the most coveted rookie cards from the 2021 Prizm Draft Picks set is Jackson Jobe. The right-handed pitcher was selected third overall by the Detroit Tigers in the 2021 MLB Draft. Jobe had a stellar college career at Heritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he posted a 0.90 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 71 innings as a senior to earn Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year honors. Scouts praised his three-pitch mix that includes a mid-90s fastball, slider, and changeup, giving him the upside of a future frontline starter. Jobe’s prospect status and being a high draft pick make his rookie cards quite valuable for collectors. His base Prizm Draft Picks rookie card currently sells for over $100 in near mint condition on the secondary market, showing how highly sought after he is early on. As Jobe moves up the Tigers’ farm system in the coming years, his cards stand to appreciate significantly if he develops into the ace many scouting reports predicted.
Another top rookie card from 2021 Prizm Draft Picks is Jordan Walker. The third baseman/outfielder was selected second overall by the St. Louis Cardinals after a stellar freshman season at Decatur High School in Georgia where he hit .412 with 15 home runs. Walker has plus raw power that could translate to 30+ home run potential at the major league level if he reaches his ceiling. He also has a good feel for hitting with a simple swing and approach at the plate. Walker’s tools and pedigree as a top-3 draft pick make him one of the prized prospects in the loaded 2021 class. His base Prizm Draft Picks rookie card currently sells for around $75-100 in near mint condition, a strong initial price for a player yet to make his professional debut. As Walker progresses up the minor league ladder, his cards stand to gain value rapidly if he develops as hoped. His tools and potential superstar upside give him one of the best rookie cards to own from the 2021 Prizm Draft Picks set long term.
Another top rookie card investment from 2021 Prizm Draft Picks is Jack Leiter. The right-handed pitcher was selected second overall by the Texas Rangers out of Vanderbilt University. Leiter comes from good baseball bloodlines as the son of former big leaguer Al Leiter. On the mound, Jack showed why he was considered arguably the best pitching prospect in the 2021 draft class. He possesses a mid-to-upper 90s fastball that touches 99 mph, a power slider, and a developing changeup. Leiter’s command of his plus stuff and competitive nature on the mound make most scouts believe he has future ace potential. His college success and draft pedigree make his Prizm Draft Picks rookie cards highly sought after. The base version currently sells in the $75-100 range, though some of his rare parallels have sold for well over $1000 showing the demand. If Leiter continues progressing and reaches his ceiling as a frontline starter, his rookie cards could end up being some of the most valuable from this class long term.
One of the more affordable top rookie cards but with just as much upside is Benny Montgomery. The outfielder was selected eighth overall by the Colorado Rockies after a stellar high school career in Red Land, Pennsylvania. Scouts loved Montgomery’s athleticism, speed, and overall tools that give him the upside of a potential five-tool player. He has the potential for 20/20 power-speed seasons in the majors if everything clicks. Montgomery’s smooth left-handed swing also gives him the chance to be a high average hitter. While he’s further away from the majors than high school picks like Jobe and Leiter, his talent and draft slot still make his Prizm Draft Picks rookie cards a bargain at their current $30-50 price range. As Montgomery advances up the minor league ladder, his cards have plenty of room for growth if he develops into the all-around star his tools and skills project.
One of the more intriguing prospects from the 2021 draft class is Kumar Rocker. The right-handed pitcher was selected third overall by the New York Mets after an outstanding career at Vanderbilt University where he was a key member of their national championship team in 2019. However, Rocker fell to the Mets due to signability concerns and a physical issue discovered in his pre-draft medicals that caused him to slip. When healthy, Rocker showed a mid-90s fastball that touches higher with a hard slider and developing changeup. His 6’5, 245-pound frame gives him a physical presence on the mound. If Rocker can stay healthy and reach his ceiling, he has the upside of a future number one or two starter. While he comes with more risk than others due to the medicals, his draft slot still makes his Prizm Draft Picks rookie cards a potential bargain at $30-50 currently. If Rocker puts it all together, his cards could provide a big payoff for collectors.
One of the more affordable top prospects from 2021 Prizm Draft Picks is Matt McLain. The shortstop was selected 25th overall by the Boston Red Sox after winning the Pac-12 Championship at UCLA as a freshman. McLain stood out for his smooth actions in the field, soft hands, and strong arm that give him the tools for shortstop long term. At the plate, he has a compact right-handed swing and good plate discipline that could allow him to hit for a high average. While McLain may not have the star upside of some of the higher picks, his defensive abilities and all-around game still make him an intriguing prospect. His base Prizm Draft Picks rookie card sells in the affordable $15-25 range, showing how his draft position has kept his cards lower cost compared to higher picks. However, McLain still has the talent to hit and stick at a premium position. If he develops as hoped, his cards could reward collectors with strong returns given the current low entry price.
One of the more intriguing high-upside prospects is Sal Frelick. The Boston College outfielder was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers after hitting .359 with 26 stolen bases in 2021 for the Eagles. Frelick is an elite athlete who scouts rave about for his plus speed that allows him to be a true base-stealing threat. He also has developing power and hitting ability that could allow him to be a productive everyday player. While Frelick may not have all five tools, his speed is among the best in the 2021 class and could make him a dynamic offensive contributor. His draft slot and tools still make his Prizm Draft Picks rookie cards a reasonable investment at $15-25 currently. Frelick has the upside for 20/30 seasons if everything comes together, making his cards a potential sleeper to appreciate significantly with strong minor league performance.
One of the more affordable prospects with a high ceiling is Chase Petty. The right-handed pitcher was drafted 26th overall by the Minnesota Twins out of Mainland Regional High School in New Jersey. Petty turned heads with his mid-to-upper 90s fastball that has touched triple digits at times. He also shows a promising slider and is working to develop his third pitch. While Petty is further away from the majors as a high school arm, his elite velocity gives him the ceiling of a future ace if he refines his command and secondary offerings. His draft slot and electric stuff still make his Prizm Draft Picks rookie cards a bargain in the $15-25 range. As one of the more affordable prospects, Petty has plenty of room for appreciation as he progresses up the minor league ladder. If he develops as hoped, his cards could provide a big payoff for collectors.
While it’s still very early in the careers of the prospects from the 2021 MLB Draft class, some have already shown promise that makes their rookie cards from Panini’s 2021 Prizm Draft Picks baseball set worthwhile investments. Players like Jackson Jobe, Jordan Walker, Jack Leiter, and Benny Montgomery have performed well so far and have the talent to be impact major leaguers. More affordable prospects like Kumar Rocker, Matt McLain, Sal Frelick, Chase Petty offer intriguing upside at their current price points if they develop as projected. With the popularity of the Prizm brand and the star power of this draft class, the top rookie cards profiled in this article have the potential to appreciate significantly with strong on-field performance as these prospects progress up the minor leagues. The 2021 Prizm Draft Picks baseball set offers collectors opportunities to purchase cards from impact future stars of a new generation at reasonable initial prices.
