Rookie baseball cards from the 2021 season saw many highly touted prospects make their major league debuts. Between expanded rosters due to COVID-19 and several stars experiencing injuries, many teams opted to bring up their top prospects for playing time. This gave collectors the opportunity to obtain rookie cards for players who are expected to be franchise cornerstones.
Wander Franco headlines the class as one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory. The shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays dazzled in his brief debut late in the 2021 season, slashing .288/.347/.463 with 7 home runs in 70 games. Franco is considered a potential superstar and his rookie cards reflect that hype. The most common retail rookie cards can be found for around $30-50, with autographed and memorabilia cards selling for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. As Franco continues producing at an elite level in upcoming seasons, it’s likely his rookie cards will appreciate dramatically in value.
Another highly coveted rookie is Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. The toolsy 21-year-old slashed .288/.394/.514 with 8 home runs in 53 games in his debut campaign. Considered a budding five-tool star, Rodriguez has limitless upside. Like Franco, common retail cards can be found for $30-50 but the highest valued parallels and autographed versions fetch big money already. His duel rookie card with fellow phenom Jarred Kelenic from Topps Chrome is one of the most sought after from 2021.
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman is generating considerable hype as well. As the number one pick in the 2019 draft, Rutschman is seen as the future anchor of the Orioles franchise. He made his debut in May 2022 after shining in the minors. While he only played 35 games in 2022 and struggled at the plate initially, collectors are banking on his all-around talents to flourish in future seasons. His Bowman Chrome rookie cards trade for $20-40 currently but could gain value quickly as he establishes himself.
The 2021 class saw other notable rookies include Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah, Detroit Tigers slugger Spencer Torkelson, Texas Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryan Pepiot, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene and Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert. All delivered in their debuts to varying extents and their rookie cards occupy a wide price range from $5-100 depending on parallels, autographs and production levels.
Some less heralded rookies also found cards that gained value from surprising debuts. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane Baz posted a 2.89 ERA in 32 innings prior to Tommy John surgery. His cards have climbed to $20-50 range. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson showed promise before injury problems, with common rookie cards around $10-20. Cleveland Guardians slugger Steven Kwan was a revelation while winning ROY consideration. His cards have followed suit to the $15-30 range.
When looking at the rookie cards from 2021, it’s important to examine production in extensive samples before speculating on long term value. Franco, Rodriguez and Rutschman all have early track records of excellence in the minors prior to debuts and project to be stars. Witt Jr., Leiter, Manoah and Torkelson also showed five-tool potential or frontline abilties despite smaller 2022 samples. Those players’ cards profile as the safest long term investments, though upside remains for breakouts like Kwan, Baz and Pearson if health permits. The 2021 rookie class infused many new candidates at thethreshold of superstardom to make for an exciting vintage to collect.
The 2021 MLB rookie class showcased a bounty of blue chip prospects who are poised to be franchise cornerstones for years to come. Wander Franco, Julio Rodriguez and Adley Rutschman highlight a crop of talents who look primed for stardom. While players like Shane Baz and Steven Kwan came from lesser known origins, strong debuts have brought increased attention. For collectors, 2021 rookies present opportunities to acquire cards from what could develop into one of the great classes in baseball history at affordable prices before they potentially skyrocket in value with future accomplishments.
