The 2021 baseball card season was another exciting year in the hobby, with numerous rookie stars making their debuts on cardboard and veteran players reaching major career milestones. Whether you’re a collector looking to invest in the next big thing or a fan wanting cards of your favorite players, here are some of the top baseball cards released in 2021 that captured the essence of last season.
Shohei Ohtani – 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor (#166)
What Shohei Ohtani accomplished in 2021 was nothing short of remarkable. Not only did he slash .257/.372/.592 with 46 home runs as a hitter, but he also went 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts on the mound. Ohtani’s two-way brilliance captivated the baseball world and made him the unanimous AL MVP. His rookie cards skyrocketed in value as a result. The 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor parallel captured the attention of collectors due to its flashy refractors and low serial numbers. Graded gem mint 10 copies of this Ohtani rookie card sold for over $1000 at the height of the season. With Ohtani cementing himself as a true generational talent, his rookie cards will remain at the top of want lists for years to come.
Juan Soto – 2021 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor Auto (#166)
At just 23 years old, Juan Soto has already established himself as one of the game’s best hitters. In 2021, he slashed .313/.465/.534 with 29 home runs and 95 RBI for the Nationals. Soto is also one of the most sought-after young stars in the hobby. His 2021 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor Auto parallel features his stylized signature on a flashy blue refractor stock. Only 99 copies were produced, making this one of Soto’s scarcest autographed rookie cards. High-end PSA 10 and BGS 10 examples sold for $3000-4000 last season. With Soto’s prodigious talent and cult following among collectors, this card remains a premier long-term investment in the rising superstar.
Fernando Tatis Jr. – 2021 Topps Chrome Rainbow Foil Auto (#166)
It’s hard to believe Fernando Tatis Jr. is still only 23 years old with the way he plays the game. In 2021, he slashed .282/.364/.611 with a league-leading 42 home runs for the Padres. Tatis is one of the most electric and marketable players in MLB today. His 2021 Topps Chrome Rainbow Foil Auto parallel features an iridescent rainbow pattern on the front paired with his signature on the back. Only 10 of these ultra-rare cards exist. One copy that received a perfect PSA 10 grade sold for a staggering $15,000 last season. With Tatis poised for continued superstardom, his low-numbered premier autos will hold tremendous long-term value.
Ronald Acuña Jr. – 2021 Topps Finest Black Auto (/99)
After tearing his ACL in July, Ronald Acuña Jr. was limited to just 82 games in 2021. He still showed why he’s one of the game’s most dynamic players when healthy by slashing .283/.394/.596 with 24 home runs. Acuña is also a fan favorite in the hobby for his flashy playstyle and stylized autograph. His 2021 Topps Finest Black Auto parallel features his “RAJR” signature emblazoned across a black refractor backdrop. Only 99 copies exist, making it one of Acuña’s scarcer on-card autos from last year’s crop. PSA 10 and BGS 9.5+ examples sold in the $800-1000 range during the season.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 2021 Topps Chrome Gold Refractor Auto (/50)
After a breakout 2020 season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took his game to an MVP caliber level in 2021. He led the AL with 48 home runs while slashing .311/.401/.601 for the Blue Jays. Guerrero is also one of the most hyped young stars in the hobby. His 2021 Topps Chrome Gold Refractor Auto parallel features an elegant gold refractor backdrop paired with his signature. Only 50 copies exist, making each one highly coveted. PSA 10 and BGS 9.5+ editions sold for $2000-3000 last season. With Guerrero still just 22 years old, this low-numbered premiere chrome auto possesses immense long-term potential.
Bobby Witt Jr. – 2021 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor Auto (/99)
As the #2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, Bobby Witt Jr. entered pro ball with huge expectations. In his rookie season split between High-A and Double-A, he showed why by slashing .290/.361/.540 with 33 home runs. Witt then made his MLB debut in 2022 for the Royals. His 2021 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor Auto parallel is one of his most sought-after rookie cards. Featuring an electric orange refractor backdrop and clean signature, only 99 copies exist. PSA 10 and BGS 9.5+ editions sold in the $800-1000 range last season but will likely appreciate significantly given Witt’s star power and early MLB success.
Jacob deGrom – 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor (#166)
At 33 years old, Jacob deGrom showed he remains the most dominant pitcher in baseball when healthy in 2021. He posted a 1.08 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 92 innings before injuries sidelined him for the second half. deGrom is also a fan favorite collector item given his elite skills on the mound. His 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor captures “The Ace” in his Mets uniform on a flashy refracting stock. PSA 10 and BGS 9.5+ editions sold in the $300-500 range last season. Even with injury concerns, deGrom’s on-field brilliance and status as a modern pitching icon give this card strong long-term potential.
Pete Alonso – 2021 Topps Finest Negative Auto (/50)
After winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2019, Pete Alonso has established himself as the heart and soul of the Mets franchise. He followed up his 53 home run rookie campaign with 37 more longballs in 2021. Alonso also has a strong collector following for his fun persona. His 2021 Topps Finest Negative Auto parallel features an innovative negative image design along with his signature. Only 50 copies exist, making each one a true spectacle in hand. PSA 10 and BGS 9.5+ editions sold for $1000-1500 last season. As Alonso continues powering the Mets’ lineup, this one-of-a-kind auto will retain significant prestige.
In summary, 2021 saw another crop of premier young stars like Ohtani, Guerrero Jr., Witt Jr. and more make their cardboard debuts. Meanwhile, veterans like deGrom, Tatis Jr. and Soto cemented their status among the game’s elite with MVP caliber seasons. Their top rookie cards and low-numbered autographed parallels captured the magic of last year and will hold long-term value in collections for years to come. Whether you’re looking to invest, collect your PC, or commemorate 2021’s brightest performers, these cards captured the true essence of last season.
