The 2021 baseball season saw a resurgence of interest in the hobby and sport after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Card manufacturers like Topps, Panini, and Bowman produced some intriguing rookie cards and parallels that have already begun appreciating in value. With several highly-touted prospects making their MLB debuts in 2021 and star players like Shohei Ohtani continuing to dazzle, here are some of the top baseball cards to watch from the past year:
Shohei Ohtani Baseball Card – 2021 Topps Chrome Refractors (#87, #288): Ohtani had a phenomenal season in 2021 that saw him excel both as a pitcher and hitter, making history as the first player since Babe Ruth to qualify as a batter and pitcher. His 2021 ToppsChrome Refractor rookie parallel cards (#87 orange /250, #288 purple /50) exploded in value after his amazing season. Expect these rare Ohtani rookie variants to continue appreciating as one of the defining cards from the 2021 set.
Wander Franco Rated Rookie Auto – 2021 Topps Chrome (#331): Franco burst onto the scene for the Rays in 2021 at just 20 years old and immediately established himself as a superstar. The #331 parallel from Topps Chrome featured Franco’s coveted autograph in the coveted Chrome product. As Franco’s star continues to rise, so will the value of this defining rookie card. Both PSA 10 and BGS 10 versions have already eclipsed $1000.
Spencer Torkelson Rated Rookie Auto – 2021 Topps Chrome Update (#US1): Torkelson was the top pick in the 2020 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers and had a solid rookie season in 2021. As the prized #US1 parallel in Topps Chrome Update, this short print auto features Torkelson’s signature on arguably the most desirable cardboard from 2021. PSA 10 and BGS 10 copies are already in the $500-700 range with room to appreciate long term.
Julio Rodriguez Rated Rookie Auto – 2021 Topps Chrome Update (#US50): Rodriguez was one of the highest-regarded prospects in baseball and made his MLB debut with the Mariners in 2021 at just 21 years old. The #US50 parallel from Topps Chrome Update, limited to just /50 copies, and featuring Rodriguez’s autograph is sure to become a must-have for Mariners PC collectors. Even raw copies have cracked $200 already despite Rodriguez’s limited MLB exposure thus far. Look for this card to break $1000 PSA 10 within a few years.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Gold Refractor Auto – 2021 Topps Series 2 (#S2-VG): After a breakout 2021 season that saw him named AL MVP runner-up, Guerrero established himself as a true superstar in the making. The flagship Topps issue short printed Gold Refractor Auto parallel /50 is sure to become a long term blue chip. PSA 10 versions have already passed $1000 and figures to climb much higher as Guerrero’s career progresses.
Luis Robert Rainbow Foil Auto – 2021 Topps Series 2 (#S2-LR): Robert broke out himself in 2021 with a .338 average and proved to be a five-tool star for the White Sox. Topps Series 2 short printed the prized Rainbow Foil Auto parallel to just /25 copies. With Robert emerging as one of baseball’s brightest young stars, his flagship rookie auto parallel is sure to appreciate strongly for Sox collectors.
Jasson Dominguez Auto – 2021 Topps Inception: Considered one of if not the top international prospect signing in years, Dominguez has yet to make his professional debut but is already one of the most hyped prospects in baseball. His limited 2021 Topps Inception autograph parallels like the Black /25 have already cleared $1000 PSA 10 and are sure to exponentially appreciate if Dominguez lives up to the hype in the coming years.
Justin Foscue Auto – 2021 Bowman Chrome Prospects Green Refractor /99: Foscue had a breakout season in 2021 as one of the Tampa Bay Rays top prospects. His short printed Bowman Chrome Prospects Green Refractor Auto parallel captures Foscue on the cusp of his first full season. With the Rays strong player development track record, Foscue’s on-card rookie could emerge as a long term gem for Rays PC collectors.
Brennan Davis Auto – 2021 Bowman Chrome Prospects Purple Refractor /150: Davis made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2021 at just 21 years old after rising up their farm system. The prized Bowman Chrome Prospects Purple Refractor captured Davis on the cusp of his bright future. For Cubs collectors, this is a card that could appreciate meaningfully long term as Davis establishes himself in Chicago.
Cade Cavalli Auto – 2021 Bowman Chrome Prospects Blue Refractor /150: Cavalli emerged as one of baseball’s top pitching prospects in 2021 with a dominant season split between High-A and Double-A. As a first round pick of the Nationals, Cavalli’s rookie crop Blue Refractor captured him on the doorstep of the majors. With frontline stuff, Cavalli could yield a true long term gem for Nats PC collectors.
Rookie Patch Card Variations: 2021 Topps Dynasty featured several star rookies with rare patch parallel cards including Wander Franco (#29), Adley Rutschman (#8), and Bobby Witt Jr. (#5). Parallel variations like Franco’s Blue /10, Rutschman’s Green /99, and Witt’s Gold /10 short prints hold long term potential and have already begun seeing strong prices in higher grades. For collectors chasing prestigious patch rookies with hefty serialized discounts, cards like these fit the bill.
2021 Baseball Card Market Outlook: With so many highly-touted rookies making their debuts and established stars like Ohtani taking the league by storm, 2021 reinvigorated collector interest after the pandemic lull. Top rookie cards like those highlighted have already seen explosive growth which is sure to continue as these promising talents establish themselves. Established star parallels like the Ohtani Chrome Refractors are poised to become true blue chip long term holdings. The 2021 cardboard crop holds great promise and potential to yield many future investment grade cards and generate strong returns for patient collectors.
