The 2021 season was an exciting one for rookie debuts in Major League Baseball. A new crop of young stars entered the big leagues and began making their mark on the game. As with any year, the performance and potential of top rookie prospects led to elevated interest from collectors in their rookie cards from the flagship Topps sets. Several rookies from 2021 have already shown signs that they may develop into elite players, making their rookie cards some of the most sought after and valuable on the modern sports card market.
Perhaps the top 2021 rookie card that collectors scrambled to obtain was for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. Considered a true “once in a generation” type of prospect due to his combination of elite skills at such a young age, Franco was arguably the most hyped baseball rookie since Mike Trout. He did not disappoint in his rookie season campaign. Franco slashed .288/.347/.417 with 7 home runs and 39 RBI in 70 games. He showed all-around excellence at the plate with a keen eye and solid power for a middle infielder despite only just turning 21 at the end of the year.
Franco’s stellar debut led to huge demand for his Topps rookie cards. Among the most prized is his Topps Chrome Pink Refractor Parallel rookie card, numbered to only /150 copies. These pink refractors routinely fetch over $1,000 RAW and over $2,000 PSA 10 Gem Mint. Even common Topps base rookies and top parallels like Topps Fire, Topps Transcendent, etc have climbed well over $100 on average. As Franco continues developing and looks poised for superstardom, his rookie cards are sure to hold tremendous long term value for collectors.
Another elite shortstop prospect who had a huge rookie season and cards that skyrocketed was Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez. With a .284 average, 18 home runs, and 50 RBI in 109 games, Rodriguez made a strong AL Rookie of the Year case and looks to be a franchise cornerstone. His Topps Chrome Refractor, Topps Gold /70 parallel, and Topps Transcendent Auto Parallel are some of the most valuable 2021 Topps rookies on the market right now. Rodriguez’s Topps base rookies now sell for $50-100 on average depending on condition. With his incredible five-tool talent and marketability for the Mariners, Rodriguez’s rookie cards promise great long term appreciation.
The Houston Astros had not one, but two impactful rookies in 2021 with outstanding card markets to match. First baseman/DH Yordan Alvarez continued building on his breakout 2020 by hitting .277 with 33 home runs and 104 RBI. His Topps Chrome Sapphire Parallel /75 and Topps Fire Parallel are consistently bringing in over $500 each. Meanwhile, pitcher Hunter Brown got his first extended MLB stint and impressed with a 1.69 ERA over 7 starts. Brown’s Topps Chrome Sapphire and Topps Fire parallels in particular have shown spikes in value given his successful debut and promising future with the ‘Stros.
Other 2021 rookies with some of the hottest rookie cards include Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah, Miami Marlins pitcher Edward Cabrera, and Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman. Greene dazzled with a .249 average and 4 home runs in 46 games and hasTopps Chrome and Transcendent parallels above $200. Manoah went 16-7 with a 2.90 ERA and his Topps Chrome Refractor routinely fetches $400-500 graded. Cabrera’s all-star caliber stuff was on display in his 5 starts before injury and his Topps Chrome Sapphire parallel may reach $500 long term. And as the overall consensus top prospect, Rutschman’s Topps Chrome and Fire parallels are already over $150 before he has an at-bat based on huge expectations.
The 2021 Topps baseball rookie card market was red hot due to several debuting players who look poised for stardom right away or in the coming years. Names like Franco, Rodriguez, Alvarez, Greene, Manoah and more established themselves with strong rookie campaigns that translated to a frenzy from collectors seeking their Topps rookie cards. Whether PSA 10 gems, rare parallels, autographs or any format, these rookies’ first Topps cards from the ’21 season have proven to be some of the most valuable and investment-worthy on the modern collectibles scene. As these talented players continue their careers, their rookie cards from their debut seasons are sure to be prized holdins for investors and collectors for many years to come.
