Topps baseball cards are perhaps the most iconic and recognizable brand in the baseball card collecting hobby. Since 1950, Topps has dominated the baseball card market and put out rookie cards of baseball legends that are now worth thousands, tens of thousands, or even millions of dollars. With 2022 baseball season in full swing, here is a look at some of the most valuable Topps baseball cards from the current year that collectors are chasing.
Topps Update Series Bryce Harper RC BGS 10 Gem Mint PSA 10: Bryce Harper’s rookie card from 2012 Topps Update Series has become one of the holy grails for collectors. Harper burst onto the scene as one of the game’s elite players and his rookie card price skyrocketed accordingly. Fresh PSA 10 or BGS 9.5+ examples are in such high demand that they routinely sell for $10,000 or more. A true pristine BGS 10 Gem Mint example could potentially sell for over $25,000 given how iconic and sought after Harper’s rookie card has become.
Topps Chrome RC Refractor Shohei Ohtani PSA 10: Shohei Ohtani has quickly cemented himself as a generational talent and one of baseball’s most fascinating players. His 2018 Topps Chrome rookie refractor is arguably the most hyped and valuable modern rookie on the market. Pristine PSA 10 examples change hands for anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 currently. The upside on this card is massive given Ohtani’s continued superstar ascension. A true perfect 10 black label could sell for well over $15,000 once Ohtani’s career plays out.
Topps Chrome RC Vladimir Guerrero Jr. PSA 10: Another hyped young superstar is Vladimir Guerrero Jr, who burst onto the scene in 2019. His 2018 Topps Chrome rookie refractor is hugely sought after as Guerrero looks to continue dominating MLB pitching. Fresh PSA 10 examples are hard to come by and generally sell in the $4,000 to $6,000 range currently. Long-term, a Guerrero career like his Hall of Famer father could see this card rise into the 5-figure range for top grades.
Topps Chrome Update RC Aaron Judge PSA 10: Aaron Judge had one of the most iconic rookie seasons in baseball history in 2017. His Topps Chrome Update rookie refractor is one of the hottest modern cards on the market. Thanks to Judge’s huge stature and continued dominance, PSA 10 examples bring $3,000-5,000 consistently. If Judge keeps producing at an All-Star clip, stays healthy, and wins some hardware, a perfect 10 of his rookie card could reach $10,000+ down the road.
Topps Archives Juan Soto Auto RC PSA 10: Juan Soto has established himself as a true superstar at a young age. Any card with his coveted autograph is highly sought after. His 2018 Topps Archives Auto RC brings $1,000-2,000 currently for PSA 10s. With so much upside left in his career, a perfect Soto auto rookie could push $5,000-10,000 once all is said and done if he builds a Hall of Fame level resume.
Topps Finest Mike Trout RC Auto BGS 9.5: It’s hard to find a more valuable and iconic modern card than a Mike Trout rookie. His 2009 Topps Finest Auto RC numbered to just 99 copies is the true holy grail. A pristine BGS 9.5+ example could sell for $50,000-75,000 already given Trout’s legendary status and career trajectory. A true BGS 10 could be a six figure card if he keeps padding his Cooperstown case.
Topps Ted Williams RC PSA 8: For vintage collectors, a Ted Williams rookie from 1941 Topps is about as good as it gets. Even lower grade examples are extremely scarce and expensive due to how few survived 80+ years. A mid-high grade PSA 8 could fetch $25,000-$35,000 at auction. The card already holds a place in history and that value will surely keep appreciating over time as one of the ultimate vintage rookie cards.
Topps 1952 Mickey Mantle RC PSA 8: Along with the Williams, a Mickey Mantle rookie from 1952 Topps is the holy grail for vintage collectors. Only a small fraction are known to exist after 70 years. Even lower end PSA 8 copies bring staggering prices in the range of $150,000-$250,000 currently. The rarity and iconic status of Mantle’s rookie make it worthy of a true seven figure price tag in higher grades someday if one were to surface.
This covers some of the most valuable Topps baseball cards on the market today from modern superstars as well as the unfathomably rare and pricy vintage icons from baseball’s earliest cardboard era. As players like Judge, Guerrero Jr, Ohtani, Soto, and beyond continue their careers, these modern rookies could reach new heights. Meanwhile, the Williams and Mantle will likely retain their places as the true untouchable blue chip investments in the hobby going forward.
