The 2021 Topps Prizm Baseball release is one of the most highly anticipated modern baseball card sets of the year. With flashy refractors, colorful parallels, and rookies of star players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Wander Franco, this set offers collectors a wide range of exciting cards to chase. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the best and most valuable rookie and star player cards collectors can find in the 2021 Topps Prizm Baseball release.
One of the most sought-after rookie cards in the set is Wander Franco’s Prizm Green Refractor auto. Franco had a phenomenal debut season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021, batting .288 with 7 home runs and 39 RBI in only 70 games. He showed why he is considered one of the top prospects in baseball and is poised for stardom for years to come. His autographed Prizm Green parallels, which are numbered to just /99 copies, have sold for well over $1000 each and will likely continue increasing in value as Franco’s career progresses.
Another top Franco rookie card is his Prizm Orange Refractor auto, which is even more limited at /25 copies. These ultra-rare pulls have sold for upwards of $3000 so far. While the auto parallels command the highest prices, Franco’s base Prizm rookie is also highly valuable at around $100-200 raw or graded. His status as a true five-tool superstar prospect makes all of his 2021 Topps Prizm rookie cards some of the most sought-after investments in the entire release.
Another rookie who had a breakout season was Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who finally started playing up to his immense talent and batted .311 with 48 home runs for the Toronto Blue Jays. His Prizm rookie cards, including the base, refractors, and parallels, are some of the hottest cards in the set. The Green Refractor auto /99 has sold for over $1000, while the ultra-rare Orange Refractor auto /25 has reached around $3000 as well. Even his base Prizm rookie holds value at $50-100 raw or graded. With his elite power and hitting skills, Guerrero is poised for continued success and his rookie cards should remain top investments from this release.
Superstar Shohei Ohtani had an unprecedented two-way season in 2021 as both an elite pitcher and hitter, winning the American League MVP award. His Prizm cards are some of the most in-demand veteran cards in the set. The Green Refractor auto /99 has sold for over $500, while the ultra-rare Orange Refractor auto /25 has reached the $1500-2000 range. Even his base Prizm holds value at $30-50 raw. With Ohtani’s unique two-way talents and status as one of the game’s biggest stars, his 2021 Topps Prizm cards are sure to retain and gain value over time.
Another young star who broke out in 2021 was Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Though he only played in 69 games, Rodriguez batted .284 with 14 home runs and showed why he is considered a future superstar. His Topps Prizm rookie cards, including the base, refractors, and parallels, have already gained significant value and demand. The Green Refractor auto /99 has reached over $500 in sales, while the scarce Orange Refractor auto /25 has sold for around $1000-1500. Even Rodriguez’s base Prizm rookie holds value at $30-50 raw. With his five-tool talents and promising future, his 2021 Topps Prizm rookie cards are outstanding long-term prospects.
Two veterans who continue to produce at an elite level are Mike Trout and Ronald Acuña Jr. Trout is considered by many to be the best baseball player of his generation and one of the greatest of all time. His 2021 Topps Prizm base card sells for around $15-30 raw, with refractors and parallels gaining value from there. The Green Refractor auto /99 has reached over $300 in sales. Meanwhile, Acuña is one of the game’s most exciting young stars when healthy. His 2021 Prizm base sells for around $10-20, with the Green Refractor auto /99 reaching $150-200. Both superstars’ cards are sure to retain value for years to come.
Some other star players whose 2021 Topps Prizm cards hold significant value include Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, and Yordan Alvarez. Their base Prizm cards sell for $10-30 each raw depending on the player, with refractors and low-numbered parallels gaining value exponentially from there. These are proven stars still early in their careers, so their 2021 Prizm cards represent outstanding long-term investments.
In addition to the base set, collectors love chasing the colorful parallels available in Topps Prizm. Some of the most popular and valuable parallel cards in the 2021 release include the Green Prizm /99, Orange Prizm /25, Purple Prizm /10, Red Prizm /5, and 1/1 Black Prizm autos. These ultra-rare parallel pulls featuring the top rookies and stars can sell for thousands of dollars each. Even relatively common parallels like the Blue Prizm /299 and Pink Prizm /199 hold significant value increases over the base cards.
Whether collecting for enjoyment or investment, the 2021 Topps Prizm Baseball release offers a wide array of exciting cards for any collector to chase. Rookies like Wander Franco and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. alongside veterans like Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Ronald Acuña make this set one of the most hyped releases of the year. With its flashy refractors, colorful parallels, and roster of emerging young stars and proven veterans, 2021 Topps Prizm Baseball is sure to remain a highly relevant and valuable modern set for years to come.
