The 2021 season of Major League Baseball saw another year where players put up amazing performances and helped capture the attention of sports fans everywhere. For collectors, 2021 also marked another highly anticipated release from trading card manufacturer Panini – Panini Absolute Baseball. As one of the hobby’s premier high-end products, Panini Absolute contains exquisite artwork and autographs from the game’s biggest stars. Not surprisingly, many of the set’s most valuable rookie and star player cards generated huge buzz and huge price tags after their release. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the 2021 Panini Absolute cards that have proven to be the most valuable and sought after on the secondary market.
Perhaps the single most valuable card from the entire 2021 Absolute release is the red parallel autograph of Los Angeles Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani. As the reigning American League MVP and a true dual-threat on the mound and in the batter’s box, Ohtani has quickly become one of the faces of MLB. His autographed red Parallel /25 from Absolute commanded massive prices immediately after the product dropped. Within days of its release, verified PSA 10 Gem Mint versions of this rare Ohtani auto were already changing hands for over $10,000. Several months later, as Ohtani’s star power and on-field heroics continued to grow, prices for this iconic rookie card reached heights over $15,000. It’s clear Ohtani’s immense talent and popularity have made this one of the most coveted pitching/hitting combo cards ever released.
Another major star who saw his Absolute rookie card skyrocket in value was Seattle Mariners outfielder and AL Rookie of the Year favorite Julio Rodriguez. Like Ohtani, Rodriguez had an electric rookie season that kept collectors on high alert for his autographed cards. His Absolute auto in the base red parallel checked in around the $3,000 mark initially. But demand driven by his impressive stats and highlight reel plays sent values up significantly. Near the end of the 2022 season, top graded examples of J-Rod’s Absolute auto traded hands above $6,000. That price point is almost guaranteed to keep climbing as well if Rodriguez builds on his stellar campaign and develops into the superstar many expect.
Two highly-touted rookies who didn’t get as extended a chance to shine in 2021 but still found valuation success with their Absolute cards were Detroit Tigers pitcher Kerry Carpenter and Boston Red Sox slugger Marcelo Mayer. Both were top 5 overall picks in the 2021 draft and thrilled scouts with their raw tools and promise. Carpenter’s auto in the orange parallel /99 held strong around the $1,000 mark or more. Meanwhile, even red parallels of Mayer’s autographed card commanded $800-1,000 during the season. Their pedigree and skills intrigued collectors enough to make these cards among the most expensive rookie releases despite their limited MLB action last year.
Veteran superstars continue to own significant real estate among Absolute’s priciest cards as well. For example, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts saw strong interest in his autographed base cards, which regularly topped $1,000. The short print orange parallel of his auto hit prices around $3,000 outright. Meanwhile, one of the biggest names in the sport – Mike Trout – invariably generates high prices for his signed cards. Unsurprisingly, his Absolute auto sailed past $2,000 during the season with orange parallels up over $6,000. Even veteran talents like Nolan Arenado, Freddie Freeman and Juan Soto commanded $800-1,500 for their Absolute signed cards due to sustained high production and huge fanbases.
Autograph cards aren’t the only coveted inclusions that drive Absolute values either. The set is known for intricate patch cards featuring game-used memorabilia. Several of these ultra-rare patches became major pieces for collectors. For example, one of just 3 copies of a triple logo patch card that featured patches from the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and New York Mets sold for a staggering $9,000. Other extremely limited individual patches from stars like Trout and Betts regularly moved at the $2,000-3,000 price points as well. Colorful diamond parallel patches or highly intricate stitching and materials pushed values even higher.
The 2021 season of Panini Absolute Baseball once again delivered some true heavy-hitting rookie cards, patches and autographs that rocketed to the upper echelons of the hobby in short order. Led by young talents like Ohtani and Rodriguez, stars in their prime like Trout and Betts, and ultra-short printed memorabilia, many Absolute cards emerged as lynchpins in collections. With another exciting MLB season on tap in 2022 and rookies like Bobby Witt Jr. joining the fray, Panini Absolute is sure to continue supplying some of the sport’s most valuable modern trading cards for years to come. The releases showcase the best from Panini’s production quality while capturing lightning in a bottle for the game’s brightest young talents.
