The 2016 Topps baseball card series featured another iconic design from the hobby’s leading brand. With photography and artwork capturing the game’s biggest stars and memorable moments from the 2015 season, the 2016 Topps set had no shortage of cards for collectors to chase. With so many great options to consider, here’s a look at some of the best 2016 Topps baseball cards collectors could find in packs or on the secondary market.
One of the most coveted rookie cards from the 2016 Topps set was that of Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager. The fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft, Seager made his MLB debut in 2015 and immediately established himself as one of the top young talents in baseball. His slick defense and big bat helped lead the Dodgers to the NL West title in just his first season. Topps recognized Seager’s breakout campaign by featuring him prominently as the set’s second base rookie card (#132). With crisp photography showing off his smooth left-handed swing, Seager’s rooking card became a must-have for any collector looking to add a future star to their collection early.
Another rookie who made his presence felt right away was Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. The 2015 NL Rookie of the Year dazzled in his first season, slugging 26 home runs while playing stellar defense at the hot corner. Topps highlighted Bryant’s accomplishments with a sharp close-up photo on his third base rookie card (#99). With his combination of power and all-around skills, Bryant looked poised to become a perennial MVP candidate for the Cubs. Both the Seager and Bryant rookies would prove to be wise long-term investments for collectors.
Staying in Chicago, collectors had good reason to seek out Anthony Rizzo’s base card (#75). As the emotional leader of the Cubs, Rizzo established himself as one of baseball’s premier power hitters from the left side. His smooth left-handed swing produced 31 home runs to go along with an excellent batting average in 2015. Topps captured Rizzo’s intensity perfectly with a head-on action shot mid-swing. With his all-star caliber play and popularity in Wrigleyville, Rizzo’s base card became a favorite among Cubs fans and collectors alike.
No player was perhaps more synonymous with the 2015 postseason than Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas. As the Royals went from wild card winners to World Series champions, Moustakas delivered clutch hit after clutch hit, batting .284 with six home runs and 16 RBI during the playoffs. Topps paid tribute to Moose’s October heroics with a dramatic action photo on his base card (#236). With Moustakas poised to build on his breakout season, his World Series credentials made this an exciting card to own for any Royals or baseball fan.
While rookies and stars drew plenty of attention, Topps also did a great job highlighting memorable moments from the 2015 season. One of the most iconic was Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale’s record-setting strikeout performance against the Detroit Tigers on August 13th. In just seven innings of work, Sale punched out a staggering 17 Tigers batters, which set a new single-game strikeout record. Topps captured the electricity of the moment with a card (#SP-CS) showing Sale mid-delivery with all three Tigers hitters looking completely lost in the box. Any fan of dominant pitching had to love adding this one-of-a-kind piece of baseball history to their collection.
Topps also paid homage to some of the game’s all-time greats who were entering the final seasons of their legendary careers. One card collectors sought was that of Detroit Tigers’ third baseman Miguel Cabrera (#29). Even at age 32 in 2015, Cabrera continued producing at an elite level, batting .338 with 44 doubles and 106 RBI. Topps selected a classic pose from one of Cabrera’s mighty swings to highlight one of the premier right-handed hitters of his generation as he neared the 3,000 hit milestone. With his place in the Hall of Fame all but assured, this served as a fitting tribute to one of the best right-handed hitters of all time.
Another future Hall of Famer entering his final season was St. Louis Cardinals’ catcher Yadier Molina (#91). A nine-time Gold Glover and two-time World Series champion, Molina had established himself as the greatest defensive catcher of his generation over 13 seasons. Topps captured Molina’s intensity and attention to detail perfectly with a shot of him in his trademark crouch calling pitches. While he played on for a few more years, this 2016 card served as a great way for fans and collectors to remember Molina in his prime as one of baseball’s all-time great backstops.
In addition to star rookies, sluggers, and future Hall of Famers, Topps also highlighted some of the game’s most unique talents. One of the most exciting was Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (#97). Already a two-time MVP at just 24 years old in 2015, Trout was simply in a class of his own as the complete five-tool player. Topps selected a shot of Trout tracking a fly ball to highlight both his speed and defense to go along with his otherworldly bat. With Trout poised to one day be considered the greatest all-around player of all time, his base card was an easy choice for any collector.
No card could truly encapsulate the excitement and electricity of the 2015 season like that of Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant’s walk-off home run (#SP-KB). In Game 4 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, Bryant blasted a dramatic ninth inning, game-winning homer to spark the Cubs’ eventual series victory. Topps captured the raw emotion of Bryant’s historic blast with an action shot of him circling the bases with teammates mobbing him at home plate. This singular moment helped propel the Cubs towards their first World Series title in over a century. For any fan of the North Siders, this one-of-a-kind short print served as a perfect reminder of the franchise’s long-awaited breakthrough season.
The 2016 Topps baseball card set highlighted many of the game’s biggest stars, rookies, and memorable moments from the 2015 season. Cards featuring Corey Seager, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Mike Moustakas, Chris Sale, Miguel Cabrera, Yadier Molina, Mike Trout, and Kris Bryant’s walk-off home run all provided collectors exciting options to chase in packs or on the secondary market. With photography and subjects capturing the essence of baseball’s brightest talents and most iconic plays, these 2016 Topps cards all served as perfect pieces for any fan or collector to remember a truly special year in the sport.
