Baseball cards from 2016 provide an interesting snapshot of the game during that season. The 2016 MLB season saw the Chicago Cubs break their 108-year World Series drought, winning their first title since 1908. This historic Cubs team is well represented in the 2016 baseball card sets.
Some of the most prominent rookie cards from 2016 include Cubs star third baseman Kris Bryant and outfielder Kyle Schwarber. Bryant won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2015 after hitting .275 with 26 home runs and 99 RBIs. His impressive rookie campaign made him one of the most sought-after young stars in the game. Schwarber also made his MLB debut in 2015 and was a key contributor to the Cubs’ championship run in 2016 before suffering a season-ending knee injury early in the year. Both Bryant and Schwarber rookies from 2016 sets are highly valuable today as they were two core members of the Cubs’ title team.
Another notable rookie card from 2016 is Boston Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi. Benintendi won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2017 after batting .271 with 20 home runs and 90 RBIs in his first full big league season. He has developed into a core player for the Red Sox franchise. Benintendi rookies from 2016 provide a first glimpse of the young talent who would help the Red Sox win the World Series in 2018.
Veteran stars who had great seasons in 2016 and thus have valuable base cards include Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, who won the NL MVP award after batting .292 with 39 home runs and 102 RBIs. Chicago shortstop Addison Russell also had a breakout season, making the NL All-Star team while hitting 21 home runs and driving in 95 runs for the champions. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Justin Turner earned his first All-Star nod in 2016 while establishing himself as one of baseball’s best contact hitters, as he batted .275 with 27 home runs and 90 RBIs. These star performers from the 2016 season hold valuable cards today.
Two of the game’s brightest young stars in 2016 who have desirable modern cards are Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper. Trout was well on his way to a likely AL MVP award in 2016 before injuries limited him to just 101 games, though he still hit .315 with 29 home runs and 100 RBIs. Meanwhile, Harper earned his second NL MVP award in 2015 at just 23 years old and was one of the most feared hitters in baseball in 2016 as well, batting .243 with 24 home runs and 86 RBIs plus 33 stolen bases. Trout and Harper were truly in a class of their own among position players in the 2010s.
On the pitching side, Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta had a dominant season on his way to winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2015. In 2016, Arrieta maintained his elite form, going 18-8 with a 3.10 ERA and 193 strikeouts over 32 starts and 203 innings. His peak performance years of 2015-2016 made Arrieta one of the most coveted hurlers in baseball card sets from that period. Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer also put together an impressive campaign in 2016, going 20-7 with a 2.96 ERA and 284 strikeouts in 228 innings as he finished third in NL Cy Young voting. Scherzer and Arrieta highlight the top pitchers featured in 2016 cards.
Rookie pitchers who debuted in 2016 and have valued modern rookie cards include Yankees righty Luis Severino, who went 3-8 but showed ace-caliber stuff in 19 starts in his first taste of the majors. Cubs righty Kyle Hendricks also had a strong rookie year, going 8-8 with a 3.95 ERA in 26 starts and helped the Cubs down the stretch. Dodgers lefty Julio Urias made nine starts as a 19-year-old in 2016 and demonstrated why he was such a highly-touted international signing and prospect. These young hurlers were among the promising rookie arms to watch that year.
The 2016 baseball card sets provide a snapshot of the game at a unique point. They memorialize the Cubs’ historic championship run while also highlighting the brightest young stars and top veterans of that season. Rookies like Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Andrew Benintendi, Luis Severino and Julio Urias made their MLB debuts in 2016 and have valuable modern rookie cards. Meanwhile, superstars in their prime like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Jake Arrieta and Max Scherzer dominated the sport and hold desirable base cards from 2016 sets. These factors make cards from 2016 an interesting collectible for fans today.
