The 2021 baseball season saw a number of highly touted prospects make their MLB debuts and begin their careers in Major League Baseball. Several of these rookies had immediate impacts on their teams and generated a lot of excitement among fans and collectors. As a result, their rookie cards from 2021 are some of the most sought after on the baseball card market currently. Let’s take a look at some of the top rookie cards from last season that could hold significant long term value.
Perhaps the most hyped rookie of 2021 was Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. Considered a true five-tool talent and potential superstar, Franco lived up to the billing in his debut season. In 70 games, he hit .288 with 7 home runs and 39 RBI. More impressively, he showed incredible plate discipline with a .347 on-base percentage. Franco is considered a cornerstone player for the Rays franchise going forward. Not surprisingly, his 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card has been one of the most expensive on the market. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples have sold for over $1000, a testament to how highly regarded Franco is as a player. His other 2021 Topps base rookie cards also command three figure prices in high grades. Franco looks poised for stardom, making his rookie cards a blue chip investment.
Another highly touted rookie shortstop was Seattle Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez. Though he only played in 69 games, Rodriguez flashed five-tool potential by hitting .284 with 14 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He provided a much needed spark to the rebuilding Mariners. Rodriguez’s 2021 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor rookie card has been one of the breakout cards of the year, with PSA 10s selling for $500-700. Even his base Topps rookie in a PSA 10 has sold for over $200, a huge return for a card from a standard release. Rodriguez may not have the superstar ceiling of Franco, but he looks to be a perennial All-Star caliber player and his rookie cards could appreciate significantly if he continues developing.
While Franco and Rodriguez garnered the most attention, there were other rookies who made strong first impressions in 2021 as well. Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene had a cup of coffee late in the season but displayed promising skills by hitting .301 in 23 games. Greene is considered Detroit’s centerpiece and has drawn comparisons to Mike Trout for his combination of power and speed. His 2021 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor rookie has sold for around $150-200 in high grades, showing strong early demand. Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India had a terrific rookie campaign, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award by hitting .269 with 21 home runs and 69 RBI. India looks to be a cornerstone player for the Reds for years to come. His 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie has traded hands for $75-100.
On the pitching side, Toronto Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah made a huge impact by going 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA and 147 strikeouts in 143 innings. Manoah looks like a true ace and workhorse at just 24 years old. His 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card has sold for $75-100 as well. Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Aaron Ashby only made 12 starts but flashed impressive stuff by striking out 96 batters in 67 innings. Ashby has the potential to be in Milwaukee’s rotation for a long time. His 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie has sold in the $50 range. San Diego Padres reliever Taylor Rogers emerged as the team’s closer, notching 31 saves. While not a traditional rookie, Rogers’ first Padres uniform card from 2021 Topps Update has traded hands for $40-60 due to his breakout season.
Beyond the individual rookies, there were also sets that featured the top rookies of 2021 that have generated buzz. The 2021 Topps Chrome Update Blue Refractor set featured the blue parallel versions of stars like Franco, Rodriguez, India, Manoah and others. A complete set with all the key rookies has sold for over $1000. The 2021 Topps Finest set also contained highly desirable refractors and parallels of the top rookies. A complete rainbow foil set with one of each parallel sold for around $800. For investors looking to gain exposure to the top rookies in one purchase, high end sets provide that opportunity while also offering the chance of appreciation if any of the players break out further.
The 2021 rookie class featured several players like Franco, Rodriguez, and India who look poised for stardom based on their debut seasons. Their rookie cards, especially from premium products like Topps Chrome, have already gained significant value and look positioned to appreciate further over the long run. Additional rookies like Greene, Manoah and Ashby also made strong first impressions and their cards could rise substantially with breakout seasons in 2022 and beyond. While any investment in trading cards carries risk, the top rookies from 2021 seem to have especially high long term upside and remain some of the most compelling investments in the current baseball card market. Collectors would be wise to hold examples of the best 2021 rookies in anticipation of their careers unfolding.
