The 2021 baseball card season was one of the most anticipated in recent memory as fans looked to get their hands on prized rookies and star players after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. While the hype was certainly there, the supply chain issues that impacted many industries also affected the trading card market, making some of the top cards extremely difficult to find. There were still plenty of standout releases that showcased the game’s brightest young talents and established veterans. Here’s a look at some of the best baseball cards released in 2021:
Bowman Chrome Prospects – The Bowman Chrome Prospects set is always one to watch for the hobby’s top prospects and 2021 was no exception. Cards of Wander Franco, Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez, and others looked stunning in the Chrome format. Franco’s prized rookie refractor parallel /50 was one of the most coveted cards of the entire year. While Franco mania took over the hobby, Witt Jr. and Rodriguez also had defining rookie cards to track down.
Topps Chrome Update Series – The flagship Topps Chrome product delivered as always with its Update Series release towards the end of the season. Big hits included Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return from injury, Juan Soto’s continued dominance, and rookie sensations like Shane Baz, Jackson Jobe, and Jose Miranda all having their Chrome rookie debuts. For vintage collectors, a Hank Aaron /1970 parallel to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his record-breaking 715th home run was a very special card to find.
Topps Finest – As one of the premium offerings in the Topps lineup, Finest didn’t disappoint with its refractor and matrix parallel designs. Short prints of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Mookie Betts were standouts, while rookie sensations like Jarred Kelenic, Logan Gilbert, and Spencer Torkelson all had their finest moments in the set too. A rare Mike Trout autograph /10 also captured plenty of attention.
Topps Chrome Jumbo Case Hits – The hobby’s most coveted parallel, the prized Topps Chrome Jumbo Case Hit parallel remained as hard to track down as ever. Pulling a /75 or lower parallel of a star player like Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., or Bo Bichette straight from a jumbo box was a true white whale moment for collectors. Some of the biggest hits included a Wander Franco Black /10 and a Julio Rodriguez Rainbow Foil /5, cementing their rookie card status.
Topps Archives – Topps Archives paid tribute to some of the most iconic designs and players from baseball history. A Hank Aaron ’59 design parallel /99 was a true vintage treasure while cards honoring Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, and others also proved popular. For modern collectors, a Fernando Tatis Jr. ’87 design parallel and Bo Bichette ’93 design parallel were some of the coolest rookie cards in the set.
Topps Big League – While not quite the prospect powerhouse that Bowman is, Topps Big League still delivered some standout rookie cards including Bobby Witt Jr., CJ Abrams, and Jack Leiter. An autograph of Leiter /99 was one of the most sought-after rookie autos of the year. The retro-style design also paid homage to classic Topps sets of the 80s and 90s.
Topps Series 2 – As the flagship set of the year, Series 2 is always a must-watch release. This year didn’t disappoint with big hits including Fernando Tatis Jr.’s return from injury, Wander Franco’s official Topps rookie debut, and prospect call-ups like Jarred Kelenic. Short prints and parallels of stars like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Mookie Betts were also standouts.
Topps Opening Day – While not quite on the level of some of the other Topps products, Opening Day still had its moments in 2021. Rookie debuts of Bobby Witt Jr. and Julio Rodriguez were highlights, while a rare Mike Trout autograph /25 captured plenty of attention from collectors. Retro design parallels also paid tribute to some of the all-time greats like Hank Aaron and Willie Mays.
Topps Transcendent Collection – As one of the true high-end releases of the year, Topps Transcendent Collection lived up to the hype. Ultra-rare autographs and memorabilia cards of legends like Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, and Roberto Clemente redefined luxury within the hobby. For modern stars, 1/1 cards of Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, and Bo Bichette positioned them as the future faces of the collection. With editions limited between 5-10 copies, finding any Transcendent card was an epic achievement.
While supply chain woes impacted collectors, 2021 was still a banner year for the hobby. Young stars like Wander Franco, Bobby Witt Jr., and Julio Rodriguez introduced themselves to the world while veterans like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto further cemented their legacies. With prospects on the rise and a full 162-game season on tap for 2022, the next year promises to be just as exciting between the lines and in the card shop.
