The 2021 Cincinnati Reds baseball card season featured many exciting rookie cards and veterans from a franchise looking to return to the playoffs. While the Reds fell short of postseason play, they fielded a competitive team led by stars Joey Votto, Nick Castellanos, and Luis Castillo. Their cards from 2021 provide a snapshot of that year’s team and a look at some promising young players just beginning their MLB careers.
The Reds’ veteran first baseman Joey Votto continued his Hall of Fame caliber career in 2021. Though in his mid-30s, Votto showed he still had plenty left in the tank, batting .266 with 36 home runs and 99 RBIs. His 2021 Topps base card captured him in the familiar Reds uniform, showcasing his trademark batting stance from the left side. As one of the best hitters of his generation, Votto cards remain highly collectible for Reds fans and baseball card enthusiasts alike. With over 300 career home runs already, Votto has a chance to continue climbing the all-time leaderboards in the next few seasons.
Another Reds star, Nick Castellanos, had a breakout season in Cincinnati in 2021 after signing as a free agent. Castellanos smashed 34 home runs and led the NL with a .309 batting average in his first year with the Reds. His impressive power and hitting numbers made him a force in the middle of the Reds’ lineup. Castellanos’ 2021 Topps base card shows him rounding the bases, exemplifying the impact he made in his debut Reds campaign. As Castellanos continues producing at an All-Star level, his 2021 Reds cards should hold value in the years to come.
On the pitching side, Luis Castillo remained the Reds’ ace in 2021. Though he saw a slight dip from his 2019 All-Star season, Castillo still posted respectable numbers of 3.98 ERA and 155 strikeouts over 31 starts. His smooth delivery and electric stuff made him a threat on the mound every fifth day. Castillo’s 2021 Topps base card captures him mid-windup, showcasing his fluid overhand motion. As one of the NL’s best young right-handed starters, Castillo’s long-term upside makes his 2021 cards a solid investment.
Among the many promising Reds rookies in 2021 were second baseman Jonathan India and pitcher Hunter Greene. India burst onto the scene by batting .269 with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs, winning NL Rookie of the Year honors. His impressive power from the second base position was a revelation. India’s 2021 Topps Chrome rookie card /499 is one of the prized rookie cards from that year’s crop, given his immediate big league success. Meanwhile, flamethrower Hunter Greene made his MLB debut in 2022 after missing 2021 recovering from Tommy John surgery. But collectors could still find his prized Topps Chrome rookie card from 2021, showing promise for what was to come from the 100+ MPH fireballer. With India establishing himself and Greene’s upside, their rookie cards hold great long-term value.
While the Reds may not have made the playoffs, their 2021 season still produced cards from impact veterans like Votto and Castellanos, as well as rookie gems in India and Greene. Even with the team in transition, loyal Reds fans can find cards from 2021 reminding them of individual successes from that year’s squad. With a strong farm system and young core emerging, the Reds look poised to return to contention in the coming years. And their 2021 baseball cards may end up being the foundation for rebuilding collectors’ Cincinnati teams.
