The 2010 Topps baseball card set is renowned among collectors for featuring some of the most valuable rookie cards and memorabilia cards of the decade. Released in early 2010, the set captures iconic players from the 2009 season and features rising young stars who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. While all 2010 Topps cards have gained value over the past 12 years, some stand out as truly exceptional investments for serious collectors. Here are some of the most lucrative 2010 Topps cards to seek out.
Strasburgomania: Without question, the crown jewel of the 2010 Topps set is the base rookie card of Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg. As the most hyped pitching prospect in baseball history, Strasburg’s debut was one of the most anticipated events in sports. His Topps rookie card captured the “Strasburgomania” sweeping the nation. Only 264 of the card ever graded PSA 10, the preferred grade for gems. In 2010, a PSA 10 sold for around $20-30 raw. Today ungraded copies sell for $200-300 and a PSA 10 will fetch $1,000-1,500. Strasburg’s stats lived up to the hype before injuries slowed his progress, locking in his rookie as one of the premier 21st century baseball cards.
Hey Hey Hey: There may not have been as much fanfare around Bryce Harper’s debut as Strasburg, but the hype was certainly there for the 2009 #1 draft pick nicknamed “The Chosen One.” His beefy biceps bursting from his uniform made the 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospect card a collectors’ favorite. But Topps distributed Harper’s first major league card to a much wider audience as part of the 2010 set. PSA 10 examples now sell for $600-800 after previously reaching over $1,000. Like Strasburg, Harper delivered on his promise, winning NL MVP in 2015 at age 22 and cementing this card as a prized piece of memorabilia from one of the game’s young stars.
Monster Mashed: No one could have predicted the epic season Mike Trout would have in 2012 when Topps captured the Angels’ up-and-comer for his true rookie card in 2010. A massive five-tool talent, Trout made his MLB debut in 2011 but had only 167 at-bats. His 2010 Topps card marked collectors’ first chance to own a card of the future two-time AL MVP. Only two years after release, PSA 10s sold for over $100 due to Trout’s breakout. As of 2022, a Trout 2010 rookie PSA 10 consistently reaches the $800-1,000 range and sets records when it crosses auction blocks, showing no signs of slowing down as Trout cements his Hall of Fame case. His rookie established itself as one of the most valuable modern baseball cards.
Kung Fu Panda: As one of the most feared hitters of his generation, Pablo Sandoval’s playoff heroics in 2010 and 2012 truly launched his stardom. But collectors’ first shot to own a card of the slugging third baseman came in the 2010 Topps set near the start of his six All-Star campaign with the Giants. The “Kung Fu Panda” quickly became one of the most popular Giants and his rookies reflected that. A PSA 10 now fetches $300-500 due to his iconic status in San Francisco. While injuries slowed the second half of his career, the 2010 Topps base card remains a prized piece of his successes in orange and black.
MadBum’s Debut: While Madison Bumgarner hadn’t entirely introduced himself to the baseball world by 2010, keen collectors knew the young left-hander was coming off a breakout 2009 season in the Giants’ system. Topps recognized Bumgarner as a rising talent, including his rookie card amongst baseball’s best. PSA 10s have increased from a $40 card in 2010 to $200-300 now after the lefty cemented himself as one of the greatest postseason pitchers ever. Four World Series rings, including 2014 World Series MVP, prove Bumgarner lived up to any hype on this now cherished rookie card for Giants devotees.
Posey Power: The 2010 Topps set featured the rookie card of perhaps the most accomplished player of the decade, Buster Posey. Coming off winning College Player of the Year 2009, the Giants called up their prized catching prospect who didn’t disappoint. He captured NL Rookie of the Year and a ring as the Giants won it all. Posey’s legendary career of six All-Star nods, four Silver Sluggers and 2012 NL MVP further raised the stock of this legendary rookie card. PSA 10s reached the $300-400 range of late reflecting on Posey’s surefire Hall of Fame induction. For Giants collectors, it marks the first Posey in their collection during his history-making career.
Gold Glove Gems: In addition to star rookies and prospects, the 2010 Topps set housed several valuable memorabilia cards that deliver true one-of-a-kind items for devotees. Within the base set, collectors could find a 1/1 Gold Medal parallel of Mariners ace Félix Hernández modeled after his 2010 AL Cy Young and Gold Glove. The 1/1 plates Hernández as arguably the best pitcher of the 2010s. Or in the Bowman Sterling subset, a dual jersey card captures Cardinals singles sensation Matt Carpenter contains swatches from his 2012 Gold Glove uniform. Both 1/1s hover around the $1,000-1,500 range today.
Through star rookies who became legends like Trout, Harper and Strasburg as well as memorabilia focuses on iconic players like Hernández and Carpenter, the 2010 Topps baseball set endures as a premier investment for collectors. Dozens of cards have increased over 10x in value since release. For those seeking blue chip investments or keys to their PC of all-time greats, select cards from the 2010 Topps set represent powerful holdings sure to continue appreciating with time. It was truly a release that captured many of the dominant names of the decade to come.
