The 2021 Topps Chrome baseball product offered collectors the chance to pull highly sought after rookie cards and parallels of star players. While not as hyped as some recent years, 2021 Topps Chrome still featured rookies that have grown in value since the set was released last year. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 2021 Topps Chrome cards on the secondary market today.
Arguably the crown jewel of the 2021 Chrome set is the rookie autograph card of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. Franco had one of the most highly anticipated debut seasons in recent memory and did not disappoint. He immediately showcased his five-tool skills at the MLB level and finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. This, combined with his status as one of the top prospects ever, has turned his 2021 Topps Chrome autograph into one of the most expensive cards on the modern baseball market. Graded PSA 10 examples have sold for over $10,000, with raw copies still achieving prices well into the thousands.
Another star rookie who impressed right away was Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. While he didn’t have the mega-hyped prospect pedigree of Franco, Rodriguez put on a show in his debut campaign and was named an AL All-Star. His dazzling defense and flashes of power potential have collectors coveting his 2021 Topps Chrome rookie cards. PSA 10 copies have reached as high as $800-900, while most grade PSA 9s sell in the $400-600 range. Rodgriguez has superstar upside and his cards should only continue climbing as he develops.
Although he didn’t debut until 2022, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen still holds a place among the most valuable cards from 2021 Chrome. Due to injury issues wiping out his 2021 season, Rasmussen had rookie status when the set was released. Refractors and especially autos now sell in the $100-300 range raw. With a breakout campaign in 2022 showcasing his repertoire as a quality MLB starter, Rasmussen looks primed to cement himself as one of the top pitchers from this rookie class.
Other impressive rookie pitchers from ’21 Chrome include Toronto Blue Jays righty Alek Manoah ($100-200 PSA 10) and Milwaukee Brewers flamethrower Ethan Small ($75-150 PSA 10). Manoah made an immediate impact as a big-game pitcher in Toronto, while Small misses bats with 100 mph heat but was limited to just 5 MLB appearances due to injury. Their cards still trade based on future potential. Also worthy of mention for raw power upside is Washington Nationals outfielder Donovan Casey, whose autographed cards reach the $75-150 range.
Moving beyond rookies, star veterans see big spikes in demand whenever they change teams or uniform designs. That held true for Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner in 2021. After being traded from the Washington Nationals, Turner’s first Dodgers card ended up being the ’21 Topps Chrome base. PSA 10s have surpassed $500, with most 9s and 10s settling in the $300-400 range. Meanwhile New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge continued thriving in pinstripes, pushing his 2021 Purple refractor parallel to $200-350 raw.
Some other top base/refractor cards include:
Fernando Tatis Jr. Blue Wave /65/$250-400
Juan Soto Green Shimmer Auto/15 ~$400
Ohtani Orange /199 ~$200
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Pink /249 ~$150
Rafael Devers Gold /50 ~$150
Juan Soto Atomic Refractor ~$150
Shane McClanahan Gold Wave Auto/50 ~$150
parallels are valued for their low numbered scarcity compared to flagship cards. The most coveted include Judge Orange Ice Auto /99 ($600-900), Kyle Lewis Red Wave Auto /50 ($350-500), and Trevor Rogers Prism Auto Green /99 ($250-400). Other short prints like Yordan Alvarez Atomic Silver pack big premiums as well.
While it didn’t have the monstrous rookie class of 2020, 2021 Topps Chrome still featured foundational cards of today’s and tomorrow’s MLB stars. Rookie sensations plus key uniform change cards like Turner are what give the flagship Chrome issues lasting collecting appeal. As young talents develop and chase milestones, expect values of this year’s top cards to rise even higher over time in the ever hot modern baseball card market.
