The 2014 Topps baseball card series saw some extremely valuable rookie cards emerge that would go on to become highly sought after by collectors. With young stars like Kris Bryant, Andrew Benintendi, and Aaron Judge making their MLB debuts that year and having stellar starts to their careers, their rookie cards from the 2014 Topps set rose dramatically in value. While there are a few notable veterans that have valuable cards from that year as well, the rookies took center stage in terms of which 2014 Topps cards collectors were willing to pay top dollar for. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable options from the 2014 Topps set.
Kicking things off with arguably the most valuable 2014 Topps baseball card is the prized Kris Bryant rookie card. As the number one overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs, Bryant wasted no time making an impact in the big leagues. He was named NL Rookie of the Year in 2015 after batting .275 with 26 home runs and 99 RBI in his debut season. That breakout year translated perfectly to his 2014 Topps rookie card, with the standard base version of the card now valued around the $150-200 range in near mint condition. Highly coveted parallel and autograph versions of Bryant’s rookie have commanded astronomical prices. His Topps autograph rookie sold for over $25,000 in a recent auction, while rare refractor and negative printed versions often exceed $1,000 each due to Bryant’s established star power.
Following closely behind Bryant for most valuable 2014 Topps card is Aaron Judge. Like Bryant, Judge wasted little time proving himself as a future superstar after debuting in 2016 for the New York Yankees. Though he struggled at the plate slightly as a rookie, Judge exploded in 2017 with a .284 average and a record-setting 52 home runs en route to being named AL Rookie of the Year. This incredible breakout season, combined with his mammoth 6’7” stature, has turned Judge into one of baseball’s most popular stars virtually overnight. Not surprisingly then, his 2014 Topps rookie card skyrocketed in value and can fetch $100-150 quite easily now for the standard base version. Rarer parallel versions signed or numbered low are true prizes that have sold for well over $2,000 each.
Beyond Bryant and Judge, the next most valuable rookie from the 2014 Topps set belongs to Andrew Benintendi of the Boston Red Sox. Benintendi made his MLB debut in 2017 and hit .271 while playing superb defense to help lead the Red Sox to a World Series title. This postseason success story has placed Benintendi among the elite young outfielders in baseball. As such, collectors are paying big money for his Topps rookie, with PSA 10 Gem Mint examples recently trading hands for $60-80. Lesser condition versions or autograph/parallel variants can still demand $30-50 owing to Benintendi being a cornerstone of the Red Sox franchise for years to come.
Aside from the mega-valuable rookie cards, collectors will pay top dollar for iconic veterans as well from the 2014 Topps series. For instance, any Mike Trout card is coveted by angels fans and investors alike given his case for potentially being the greatest player of all time. Low-numbered Trout parallels or on-card autos from his 2014 issue are truly sought-after, with one recent auto sale hitting $3,000. Similarly, Derek Jeter enthusiasts continue fueling strong demand and pricing on any relic, autograph or rare parallel of the Yankees legend from his prestigious final season issue in 2014 Topps. Jeter’s immense popularity ensures his final year cards routinely exceed $100 each.
In summarizing the most valuable 2014 Topps baseball cards, three clear trends emerge – elite rookie performers like Bryant and Judge that paid instant dividends, emerging young stars like Benintendi primed for greatness, and legendary living icons like Trout and Jeter that collectors will chase endlessly from their final or early issues. While vintage legends persist as investment grabs, today’s modern game superstars clearly drive the highest prices across the hobby from even their earliest Topps releases. The explosive professional success enjoyed by 2014 rookies like Bryant and Judge transformed their respective rookie cards into six-figure collectors’ items seemingly overnight. Their accomplishments reinforced that the 2014 Topps series housed some true one-of-a-kind jewels for savvy investors to uncover.
