The 2021 Topps Baseball card season saw the emergence of several young superstar rookies that have driven serious collector demand and skyrocketed the values of their rookie cards. While veterans like Mike Trout, Christian Yelich and Mookie Betts still hold value, the fresh faces in the league have taken over as the most coveted and valuable modern cards on the market right now.
Heading into the 2022 season, the top 3 most valuable rookies from the 2021 Topps Baseball set are Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Their rookie cards have broken records and set new standards for what modern rookies can be worth.
Shohei Ohtani (Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor RC /123) – As a true two-way player pitching and hitting at an elite level simultaneously, Ohtani’s accomplishments in 2021 were nothing short of remarkable. He won the AL MVP award and established himself as one of the most must-see talents in baseball. This has driven collector mania for his rookie cards, with PSA 10 examples of his Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor rookie now commanding prices up to $12,000 each. Less than a year after release, Ohtani’s RC has 4x’d in value and set himself up as one of the most valuable modern cards in the hobby.
Fernando Tatis Jr. (Topps Chrome Orange Refractor RC /150) – Tatis burst onto the scene in 2019 and has established himself as one of the faces of MLB thanks to his 5-tool talents and flair for the dramatic. He finished third in NL MVP voting in 2021. Tatis mania is real, and his Topps Chrome Orange Refractor rookie is arguably the hottest modern card on the market. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $10,000 each, with the card doubling+ in value within a year of release. Tatis’ star power and youth ensure this will remain one of the most sought-after modern RCs.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Topps Chrome Red Refractor RC /399) – Following in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame father, Guerrero Jr. proved in 2021 he is a true monster at the plate. He led the AL in slugging percentage and home runs en route to finishing second in MVP voting. His dominance has collectors paying top dollar for his Rookie Chrome Refractors. PSA 10 Reds have eclipsed $9,000 sales, far surpassing presale projections. With his potential still untapped at only 23, Vladdy’s cards could grow even more valuable in the future.
Beyond the rookie sensations, veteran stars like Mike Trout still reign supreme in the high-end card market. Trout’s 2009 Topps Chrome Update Yellow Refractor RC /50 is arguably the most valuable modern card in existence, with PSA 10s selling for well over $400,000. Even his common issue cards from past seasons hold six-figure values raw. Simply put, Trout remains the undisputed King when it comes to modern baseball card valuations.
Looking at other veterans holding significant value from Topps 2021, Mookie Betts’ 2018 Topps Update Orange Refractor RC /299 consistently trades hands for $5,000-6,000 raw. Christian Yelich’s 2018 Topps Finest Blue Refractor RC /299 also pushes $5k raw despite down seasons in 2021-2022 from the former MVP. And Fernando Tatis Sr.’s 1987 Topps Traded RC remains a key storied issue, with high-grades still climbing above $10,000.
For less heralded players that broke out, Chicago White Sox slugger Andrew Vaughn saw swift collector attention on his rookie cards following a promising 2021 debut. His Topps Finest Blue Refractor RC /250 jumped from $200-300 to $800-1000 raw after his performance. Tampa Bay’s young stars like Wander Franco, Shane McClanahan and Randy Arozarena also gained legions of new collectors looking to capitalize on their early success.
The 2021 Topps Baseball card season was dominated in collector demand and rising values by the emerging young stars Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Their rookie cards have rewritten the record books for modern card prices and truly epitomize the hottest modern investments right now. Meanwhile, veterans like Trout, Betts and Yelich retain legendary status with epic, six-figure valued cards from years past. As these new phenoms continue developing their potential in 2022 and beyond, their already lofty card prices could be poised for even further growth in the years to come.
