Matt Adams became a full-time MLB player in 2013 with the St. Louis Cardinals and since then has appeared on several baseball cards over his career. As a power hitting first baseman who also played some outfield, Adams made for an intriguing rookie card collection. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top Matt Adams baseball cards from over the years.

2013 Topps Baseball #371 – Adams’ rookie card features him in a Cardinals uniform from his debut 2013 season. With a photo from that year, the basic info card marks the beginning of his MLB card collection. As a free agent signee in 2009, Adams worked his way up and broke into the bigs at age 25, making this a noteworthy rookie entry. The 2013 Topps base card remains one of the more common in his collection.

2013 Topps Update #US245 – Adams also received a prospect style card in the 2013 Topps Update & Highlights set prior to his call up. With a tilted sideways photo highlighting his power potential, this served as a preview for collectors of what was to come. As Adams proved himself that season, the card captured his promise as a slugger before he cemented that role. Update and Highlights cards are usually scarcer than the base set, making this one a bit more desirable.

2013 Topps Finest #315 – For those seeking foil and parallels of Adams’ rookie year, the 2013 Topps Finest insert set provided various parallel and autograph options. With sharp closeup photos on a textured foil background, Finest captures the optic of high-end cards. The base remains obtainable but rarer parallels hold greater value, commemorating Adams’ rise at baseball’s highest level. Finest remains one of the premier modern insert sets.

2013 Topps Chrome #249 – As one of the major refractors on the market, Chrome captured Adams in his rookie campaign with photo negative foilboarding. The technology enhances photos with a refractive shine. Chrome parallels like gold, black, and orange add scarcity and collection building. While the base Chrome remains plentiful, valuable refractors surface the thrill of the hobby’s most eyecatching cards.

2014 Topps #432 – Featuring in his sophomore season with the Cardinals, Adams’ 2014 base card followed the standard design of that year in the Topps flagship set. By then Adams was establishing himself in St. Louis’ lineup against right-handed pitchers, contributing to 18 home runs in 2014. The card represents Adams following up his rookie success with another productive campaign.

2014 Topps Update #US-99 – Like his rookie season, Adams also received an Update issue card in 2014 following a strong first half. In a posed shot with bat on shoulders, it marked Adams’ development after two years in the majors. Update and Highlights editions provide seasonal updates beyond the initial base release that collectors seek out.

2014 Topps Finest #226 – As with 2013 Finest, the premium 2014 Topps Finest set featured Adams with parallel and autograph options. Capturing his continued contributions in St. Louis that year, any numbered parallel or autograph finds greater collecting interest for rarity in the insert set. Finest remains the pinnacle modern product for photography and parallel collecting around MLB’s brightest stars.

2014 Topps Chrome #167 – With more refractors hitting the market in Chrome’s second annual release featuring Adams, the franchise continued capturing him in photo negative treatment. While the base remains common, desired parallels like black, orange, and gold versions gain value due to their limited print runs within the established refractor set. Chrome remains a hobby favorite.

2015 Topps #412 – In his final season with the Cardinals, Adams’ 2015 Topps issue featured him in an action shot swinging from the left side. By then he had established himself as a power lefty bat off the bench and in platoon duty. The card represents Adams’ contributions over three years in St. Louis that established him as a big league regular.

2015 Topps Update #US-99 – Like previous years, Topps Update provided Adams with an updated issue card midway through 2015 as he continued on with the Cardinals. Now depicting him in an outfield pose, it tracked his versatility beyond first base that expanded his value to the team prior to being traded that season. Update cards remain a highlight for those following seasonal stats changes.

2015 Stadium Club #167 – For those collectors seeking high-end photography, the premium 2015 Stadium Club release featured a gorgeous close-up portrait of Adams. On a textured foil stock with minimal border, it captures the visual beauty and high-quality photography that made Stadium Club renowned. Any serial numbered parallels hold greater scarcity and significance in the set.

After the 2015 season, Adams was traded to the Atlanta Braves and then spent time with Washington and Arizona before returning to the Cardinals organization from 2017-2019. Some additional notable Adams cards from later years include his 2016 Topps Heritage issue with Atlanta, 2017 Topps Update paper parallel varieties with Washington, and 2019 Topps Big League #123 commemorating Adams earning his 200th career RBI with St. Louis in his second stint there.

Throughout his career Adams has been a well-documented player appearing across sets from Topps, Chrome, Finest and more within flagship, update and insert products. As a prolific power hitter who continued his MLB career into his mid-30s, Adams provided collectors years of cardboard to chase including rare serial numbered parallels within the top sets. His rookie issues in particular capture the beginning of a notable big league tenure and remain key inclusions in Cardinals collections today.