The 2021 season marked the return of fans to ballparks after the 2020 pandemic-shortened season was played without spectators. As baseball began to regain a sense of normalcy, collectors were excited for the upcoming rookie class and releases from the top trading card manufacturers. Panini Prizm is considered one of the premier modern baseball card brands, known for its flashy refractors and parallels that add excitement to the hobby. The 2021 Prizm baseball release delivered some highly sought after rookie cards and short prints that have already started to gain value. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the best 2021 Panini Prizm baseball cards to collect.

Rookie Phenoms

Anytime a new class of rookies arrives, it generates buzz among collectors. The 2021 season saw the debuts of several players who look poised to become future stars. At the top of many wish lists were the Prizm rookie cards of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco and Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Both players had monster minor league campaigns that translated to early success in the majors. Franco became the first player since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1990 to hit safely in his first 13 games, showing why many consider him the best prospect ever. Rodriguez showcased elite power and speed that has him projected as a perennial All-Star. Their Prizm rookie refractors and parallels in particular hold significant long term value as cornerstone pieces for team collections.

Another rookie generating attention was Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene. He was considered a top 10 overall prospect and didn’t disappoint in his MLB debut. Greene’s swing is compared to Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki and he could develop into a complete five-tool player. His Prizm rookie cards, especially numbered parallels, are ones to watch over the next few years. Two other rookies off to hot starts were Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India and Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman. India won NL Rookie of the Year and Rutschman is regarded as the top catching prospect in baseball. Their 2021 Prizm rookies have room for growth as both players establish themselves as franchise cornerstones.

Short Prints and Parallels

While rookie cards drive a lot of collector interest, scarce parallels and short prints tend to be the most coveted Prizm releases. In 2021, some of the big ticket items included Wander Franco Prizm Black parallels, numbered to /49 copies. These ultra-rare refractors command thousands of dollars and are holy grails for any Franco PC. Another short print was the Francisco Lindor Prizm Silver Prizm, limited to only 10 copies. Lindor had a bounce back season with the Mets and his Silver Prizm became one of the most valuable base cards of the year.

Colorful parallels also held collector attention. The Julio Rodriguez Prizm Orange Ice refractor /99 was highly sought after for its flashy refracting colors. Rookie phenoms like Bobby Witt Jr. also had popular parallels like his Prizm Green Ice /75 that highlighted his potential. Veterans like Shohei Ohtani and Fernando Tatis Jr. had parallels like Prizm Gold /10 that maintained strong secondary market prices. The rarer the parallel, the higher the price tag tended to be for 2021 Prizm standouts. With low print runs, these short prints have a good chance to exponentially rise in value over time.

Base Rookies

While the biggest stars and their short prints get top billing, the base Prizm rookie cards for top prospects are always solid long term investments. In 2021, players like Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals), Bryson Stott (Phillies), Spencer Torkelson (Tigers), and CJ Abrams (Padres) all had promising minor league campaigns and bright futures ahead. Their standard rookie refractors remain affordable for most collectors to acquire. Even base cards for players who struggled in their debuts like Jackson Jobe (Tigers), Jack Leiter (Rangers), and Jordan Lawlar (D-Backs) hold value since all remain talented prospects. Having the full rookie class covered in a team or player collection sets the foundation for years of potential appreciation.

Veteran Stars and Short Prints

While rookies drive the hobby, collectors also chase after stars they’ve followed for years. In 2021, Shohei Ohtani had an all-time great season and continued to captivate fans with his two-way talents. His Prizm cards, especially short prints, sold for top dollar. The Mike Trout collection is always a sound investment and his 2021 Prizm refractors retained strong demand. Fernando Tatis Jr. also remained a hot commodity before his injury issues arose late in the year. Even veterans having career years like Brandon Crawford, Anthony Rizzo, and Max Muncy saw upticks in their Prizm card values. Stars maintaining their production or having breakout seasons led to heightened collector interest in their 2021 Prizm releases.

In Conclusion

The 2021 season marked a return to normal for baseball that translated to an exciting year for collectors in the hobby. Panini Prizm delivered some true gem cards between coveted rookies, short prints, and veterans maintaining relevance. While the hottest rookie cards like Wander Franco understandably commanded the highest prices, savvy collectors recognized values across the entire Prizm release. For those who acquired the full rookie class or sought after parallels of stars, their 2021 Prizm collections hold long term potential. The season set the stage for rookie classes and veterans to appreciate over the coming years.