The 2021 Topps baseball card series featured some rookie cards and memorabilia cards that are already proving to be quite valuable in the modern collecting market. Within just a few months of the products releasing, several young star rookies like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. have seen strong appreciation in the secondary marketplace. And parallels or serial-numbered versions of these top cards continue climbing in price.
One of the most sought-after 2021 Topps cards remains the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie auto parallel. As the child of a Hall of Famer and an elite hitter in his own right, Guerrero’s Topps debut cards consistently rank among the priciest new releases. His autographed yellow parallel from 2021 Series 1, numbered to just /2021 copies, has already eclipsed $1,000 average sales prices on eBay just months after the set dropped. Low-numbered editions of this coveted rookie patch autograph have even crossed $3,000+. Whether or not Guerrero ultimately lives up to his enormous hype, collectors believe strongly in his star power and lineage keeping these inserts highly collectible for years to come.
Fernando Tatis Jr.’s cards have also seen a boom in interest after another phenomenal season that’s put him in the early MVP discussion. One of his standout 2021 parallels is the Topps Finest green refractor /5. This ultra-short printed insert hits the sweet spot of rarity, visual appeal, and highlighting one of the game’s brightest young stars. As a result, available PSA 10 Gem Mint examples have been moving for $4,000+ on the group break market. Even PSA 9 Near Mint copies trade around $2,500. With Tatis still just 22 years old and locked up long-term in San Diego, it’s easy to imagine these elite rookie parallels appreciating substantially if he stays on his current superstar trajectory.
Ronald Acuña Jr.’s return from a torn ACL that ended his 2021 campaign early generated excitement among collectors. One way to commemorate Acuña’s comeback is by obtaining an autographed Topps Finest Black parallel from 2021. Numbered to just /50 copies, these highly rare Acuña rookie signature inserts are some of the most elite hits from the year’s Finest release. Only a few have surfaced for sale so far, with a PSA 10 example moving for nearly $6,000 back in August based on a recent price guide. It proves Acuña’s star power and recovering health have restored faith that his early career cards remain stellar long term holdings.
rookie cards from prospects like Wander Franco, Jarred Kelenic, and Jo Adell also emerged as highly sought trophies from 2021 Topps products. Franco’s paper rookie debut from Series 1 skyrocketed after a stellar MLB debut further cemented his status as a can’t-miss talent. Even PSA 8 copies of this straightforward base issue now pull in over $300. And top Franco parallels like his SP variant or Topps Chrome refractors have consistently topped multiple thousands. Meanwhile, Kelenic and Adell’s shortprinted Topps Finest autos have turned heads by averaging $800-1000+ for low serial versions despite neither player totally setting the majors ablaze just yet. It reflects high confidence among collectors that these prospects will fully blossom.
Beyond rookies and young stars, rare autograph or serial-numbered inserts of franchise icons also proved valuable out of 2021 Topps. One card that collectors chased relentlessly was a Miguel Cabrera autograph parallel from Topps Finest. Cabrera’s career hitting milestone chase and nostalgia for his historic seasons with the Marlins and Tigers made any auto parallel hugely collectible. But Finest took it a step further by limiting his signature card to an ultra-exclusive /10 printing. Just a single PSA 10 example is known to have crossed auction, achieving a staggering $6,500 final bid. More attainably for most, his base Topps Chrome auto from Update still fetches $500-1000 on average depending on the serial number.
Mike Trout remained the golden goose of modern baseball cards, with several 2021 parallels establishing new benchmarks. His 1/1 Topps Finest Gold parallel generated immense buzz and an opening auction bid north of $15,000. While it didn’t end up selling there due to no other bids, it proved unprecedented demand. Even less exclusive 2021 Trout gold foil parallels reached $2,500+ depending on the product and numbering. With Trout not yet 30 years old and surely headed for the Hall of Fame as one of the game’s all-time greats, these elite modern Trout cards figure to keep appreciating for a long time to come.
Whether rookies, veterans, or stars in between, the 2021 Topps series offered a treasure trove of valuable serial-numbered patches, autos, and parallels beyond the standard base issues. While the paper market may cool in future years, savvy collectors who identified and procured the true short prints and one-of-a-kind hits from 2021 appear well positioned to profit down the road as those rare pieces become forever enshrined in the annals of modern cardboard. Topps’ flagship baseball release continues distinguishing itself as the dominant platform for discovering tomorrow’s most prized hobby investments.
