The 2021 Donruss baseball card set was released in June and featured a variety of rookies, stars, and parallels that have driven interest from collectors. While many factors influence card values such as supply, demand, and player performance, here are some of the most valuable 2021 Donruss cards based on current market prices:
Wander Franco Green Refractor Auto /150 – Wander Franco had one of the most hyped rookie seasons in recent memory and his autographed parallel cards from the 2021 Donruss set have reflected that. The Green Refractor Auto, limited to just 150 copies, has sold for upwards of $4,000. Franco’s prospect pedigree, early MLB success, and scarce parallel all contribute to its high value. Other low-numbered Franco autographs from Donruss like the Orange Refractor Auto /50 and Rainbow Foil Auto /10 command prices of $2,000-3,000 and $6,000+, respectively.
Shohei Ohtani Silver Refractor Auto /75 – Shohei Ohtani’s two-way skills and MVP season made anything with his signature extremely sought after. The Silver Refractor variant autos from Donruss number just 75 copies and have sold for $1,500-2,000. Some rainbow foil patch autographs /10 sold for over $3,000. While not quite on the level of Franco’s scarcest cards, Ohtani autographs still hold tremendous value given his unique abilities and status as one of the game’s biggest stars.
Fernando Tatis Jr. Rainbow Foil Auto /10 – As one of the newest superstars in baseball, Fernando Tatis Jr. cards routinely fetch top dollar – especially limited parallels. His 2021 Donruss Rainbow Foil Auto numbers a tiny 10 copies. Several have sold for $2,500 to serious Tatis PC collectors. Any auto from the young Padres star under /50 is worth $1,000+ in the current market. His popularity and production make him a blue chip player collectors want in their long-term holdings.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Gold Wave Auto /50 – Ronald Acuña Jr. was well on his way to superstardom before a season-ending injury in 2021. His autographed Gold Wave parallel cards number just 50 in the entire print run. Several have sold for $1,200-1,500 as Acuña remains one of the game’s most exciting young talents when healthy. His autos are must-owns for Braves collectors and those seeking the scarcest Acuña cards available.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Black Refractor Auto /10 – Vlad Jr. took a huge step forward in 2021, leading the league in home runs and cementing himself as a true offensive force. His low-numbered autographed parallels exploded in value as a result. The Black Refractor Auto /10 variation tops $2,000 with a couple confirmed sales at $2,500 as one of the rarest and most distinctive Vlad Jr. cards on the market right now.
Juan Soto Rainbow Foil Auto /10 – Still just 23 years old, Juan Soto has already established himself as one of the game’s best all-around hitters. Any Soto autographed cards number less than /50 command premium prices. But the cream of the crop is the exquisite Rainbow Foil Auto parallel limited to a tiny 10 copies. Multiple have been confirmed to sell for $2,000-2,500, reflecting Soto’s ongoing superstar status.
Mike Trout Pink Refractor Auto /50 – You can always count on Mike Trout cards holding tremendous value given his unprecedented excellence and longevity. While fewer new Trout cards hit the market each year, his 2021 Donruss Pink Refractor Auto /50 variation sold for $1,500 on average. The card pays homage to Trout’s greatness in a scarce parallel that will gain in prestige over time as one of his final mainstream issue cards.
Jacob deGrom Black Border Auto /75 – Few pitchers can match Jacob deGrom’s sustained excellence on the mound. His autographed cards reflect that dominance, even in a year hampered by injury. The eye-catching Black Border parallel from Donruss numbered to just 75 copies sold in the $1,000-1,200 range. While not his scarcest parallel, it captures deGrom at the peak of his powers in one of the set’s most distinctive designs.
Future phenoms like Bobby Witt Jr., C.J. Abrams, and Spencer Torkelson also had some of their lowest numbered autos sell in the $800-1,000 range. While riskier long-term prospects, collector demand remains high for any of their parallels under /50. Top college prospects like Jordan Lawlar and Kumar Rocker also saw some early autos sell impressively in the $600-800 range, showing faith in their future potential.
Meanwhile, popular veterans like Fernando Tatis Jr., Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Francisco Lindor had parallels like their Pink Refractors /50 sell in the $500-700 range. Base rookies of touted prospects like Julio Rodriguez and Jack Leiter traded hands for $150-300 based on future potential alone in the initial release wave.
The 2021 Donruss release found eager collectors chasing the set’s brightest young stars and most distinctive parallels. While investment potential varies greatly, the significant premiums paid for cards like Wander Franco’s Green Refractor Auto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Black Refractor Auto showed how passionate collectors remain about obtaining the scarcest pieces from one of the tobacco era’s iconic brands. With continued strong player performances, certain 2021 Donruss cards could become highly cherished long-term holdings. But for now, the hobby’s appetite for its newest stars and short-printed prizes drove many of these cards to achieve premium early marketplace valuations.
