The 2021 Topps Chrome Baseball card set was released in October 2021 and featured some of the biggest young stars and veterans in Major League Baseball. As with any new Topps product, fans and collectors rushed to rip packs hoping to pull elusive rookie cards or parallels of star players. While most base cards in the set hold little value outside of dedicated collectors, some standouts have already started to appreciate in the burgeoning baseball card market. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable 2021 Topps Chrome cards to hit the secondary market so far.
Spencer Torkelson – Tigers #1 Pick (Rookie Auto Parallel)
Torkelson was the number one overall selection in the 2020 MLB draft by the Detroit Tigers. As the top pick and coming off a strong college career at Arizona State, Torkelson’s rookie cards were in high demand. His base rookie RC from 2021 Topps Chrome sells for around $10-15, but colorful parallels and autograph versions have seen huge price tags. One of the biggest hits from the product so far is Torkelson’s Rainbow Foil Parallel Autograph, serial numbered to /25 copies. Several of these ultra-short printed autos have crossed the $1000 mark on auction sites like eBay in gem mint condition. With his potential impacts at the MLB level, Torkelson rookies continue gaining steam.
Ronald Acuna Jr. – Braves (Chrome Prizm Refractor)
Still just 23 years old, Ronald Acuna Jr. has already established himself as one of baseball’s brightest young stars. Injuries derailed his 2021 season unfortunately, but collectors remained high on his cards. His Chrome Prizm Refractor parallel from 2021 Topps Chrome is the standout hit, with a silvery refracted backdrop making it a true spectacle in hand. Only serial numbered to /99 copies, PSA 10 gem mint examples have jumped up near the $500 price point. Any low-numbered Acuna parallel or auto from this set holds value due to his superstar status at such a young age.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Blue Jays (Chrome Update)
After a breakout 2020-2021 campaign that saw him bash 48 home runs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. solidified his place among the game’s best sluggers. As the son of a Hall of Famer, “Vladdy Jr.” cards always attract attention. His base Chrome rookie from the standard set only runs about $15-20, but the true treasures are crisp Chrome Updates of the budding superstar. Numbered to only /50 copies, a PSA 10 Guerrero Jr. Chrome Update just crossed $2000, showing strong confidence in his star power going forward. At only 23, his best years are likely still ahead.
Wander Franco – Rays (Rainbow Foil Auto /10)
Touted as the top prospect in all of baseball, big things were expected of Wander Franco in his age-20 MLB debut season with Tampa Bay. While injuries slowed him a bit, Franco absolutely lived up to the hype with a .288 average and 7 home runs in 70 games. As a ultra-short printed hit, his Rainbow Foil Auto parallel from 2021 Topps Chrome numbered a minuscule /10 copies is the crowning jewel. Just a few of these ultra-exclusive autographs have changed hands, with the last PSA 10 example selling for a staggering $4,250. With perennial All-Star upside, Franco mania is only beginning in the card world.
Shane Bieber – Indians (Chrome Green Auto /99)
The 2020 American League Cy Young winner, Shane Bieber established himself as the ace of the Cleveland staff before an injury-plagued 2021. As one of baseball’s true workhorses when right, the 27-year-old righty remains a bright spot for collectors. His autographs are still reasonably attainable compared to younger stars. The Green parallel auto from Topps Chrome holds a premium due to the /99 serial number rarity. Several PSA 10 gems have crossed the $400 mark already, showing Bieber continues to be a steady veteran presence in the hobby.
Luis Robert – White Sox (Gold Sparkle Auto /70)
Bursting onto the scene in 2020 to finish 2nd in the AL ROY vote, Luis Robert looked poised for superstardom in Chicago. While injuries limited his sophomore season, the tools are still there for the 24-year-old center fielder to become an annual MVP candidate. His autographs hold value due to his five-tool upside, with the Gold Sparkle parallel from Topps Chrome a true spectacle. Serially numbered to a low /70 copies, a PSA 10 Robert Gold Sparkle auto climbed north of $900 recently. If he can stay healthy long-term, his cards may only continue rising from here.
Fernando Tatis Jr. – Padres (Chrome SuperFractor 1/1)
Perhaps no player captured the hearts of both baseball and hobby communities alike in 2021 more than Fernando Tatis Jr. Between his electrifying plays, Gold Glove defense, and long ball prowess, the 23-year old San Diego phenom looks poised for superstardom. As one of the faces of the sport currently, any mega-hits of Tatis bring astronomical prices. The ultimate prize was his exclusive 1/1 Topps Chrome Superfractor parallel, which shocked collectors by pulling grades from PSA. With Tatis’ star on the rise for years to come barring any setbacks, this singular piece of cardboard history could shatter records when it hits the open market.
While the cards above represent some of the biggest early returns and trophy pieces from the 2021 Topps Chrome Baseball set so far, the potential for hidden gems still remains massive as the years progress. Rookies could break out to become perennial All-Stars, while veterans may ascend to new heights before calling it quits. Topps Chrome continues to be one of the premier modern products for capturing the game’s top talents each year. With the hype around the MLB still booming strongly post-pandemic, these special parallels and short-printed hits have major staying power long-term in the ever-evolving baseball card economy.
