The 2021 Topps Big League baseball card set saw shocking new heights in the collectibles card market. Fueled by soaring interest during the pandemic and record-breaking sales, this latest Topps release featured several rookie cards and parallels that have already eclipsed previous records in the hobby. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable 2021 Topps Big League cards that are commanding top dollar among collectors.
Without question, one of the biggest movers has been the Francisco Álvarez rookie card. As one of the game’s top catching prospects in the loaded New York Mets farm system, the demand was high from the start. But it was his performance in the 2021 Futures Game that sent prices into a frenzy. Rated as a five-tool catcher with prodigious power, Álvarez wowed scouts by launching two homers in the exhibition. Afterwards, PSA 10 versions of his Topps Big League base rookie began bringing close to $1000 average and have continued climbing ever since. Some colorful parallels like the Silver Pack have changed hands for over $2000 PSA 10. Needless to say, Álvarez emerged as one of the premier rookies of 2021 and collectors are making big bets that he’ll be a star for years.
Another breakout rookie who benefitted from a hot season was Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert. As the Mariners surged into postseason contention behind young arms like Gilbert, rob Kirby, and George Kirby, interest grew rapidly. Gilbert’s Topps Big League rookie became one of the most demanded cards for Seattle PC collectors. In PSA 10 condition, common base versions have averaged $400-500 all season long. Harder-to-find parallel colors like Gold, Orange Refractor, and Sepia really took off. Some of these rare Gilbert parallels have sold individually for north of $2000 when paired with the coveted Black Label grade. For Mariners fans, Gilbert looked like a foundational piece and the hobby responded accordingly to his Topps cards.
No discussion of valuable 2021 Topps rookies would be complete without mentioning Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. After building hype in 2020, Franco exploded onto the scene by hitting .288 with 7 homers in 70 games in his rookie campaign. Famously, he became the first player in MLB history with a 40-game on-base streak to start his career. Understandably, anything bearing the name “Wander Franco” was in massive demand among collectors. Topps wisely included several parallels and variations of the number one prospect’s first card. Even the base has routinely brought $300-400 PSA 10 all season. But some of the more exclusive offerings like Sepia /50 and Gold Rainbow Foil /10 have changed hands for north of $5000 each for the ultra-rare black label 10 rating. Barring injury, Franco seems destined for superstardom and his cards are primed to gain exponentially in value as his career progresses.
While rookies drove interest for obvious reasons, star veterans also saw nice bumps in 2021 Topps Big League cards. For example, reigning American League MVP José Abreu had one of his best overall seasons with the Chicago White Sox. While not quite in rookie territory, his Topps Big League base cards still averaged around $150 PSA 10 all year long. But limited colors like the /25 Green parallel really popped. One sold in a group auction for $850 alone in Gem Mint condition. Shohei Ohtani also enjoyed acclaim as a two-way force for the Angels and his Topps card values rose to match. Base versions have consistently sold for triple digits in top grade. Rare serialized cards of these superstars proven to excel at the highest level tend to retain collectors’ attention and demand premium pricing in the long run.
Lastly, the ubiquitous parallels that Topps inserts into modern baseball products helped drive new heights across various 2021 Topps Big League cards. Green, Gold, Rainbow Foil, Orange Refractor–all were immensely popular. But one parallel stood out above the rest – Topps Big League Silver Pack. Only available from exclusive hobby shop blasters at a reported ratio around 1:600 packs, these parallel cards became veritable needle-in-a-haystack chases. As a result, the Silver Pack version of any major rookie or star that collectors desired instantly attracted immense sums. Examples include Wander Franco ($4000 PSA 10), Francisco Alvarez ($2000 PSA 10), Logan Gilbert ($1600 PSA 10), Bo Bichette ($1000 PSA 10) and many others. For diehard collectors fixated on completion, these Silvers ignited a frenzy that propped up values across the entire 2021 Topps Big League set.
A perfect storm of factors defined the most valuable 2021 Topps Big League cards. Exciting rookies like Franco, Gilbert and Alvarez electrified the hobby with their debuts. Veterans José Abreu and Shohei Ohtani proved their staying power. But collector mania for the rarest parallels, especially the Silver Pack parallel, took pricing to unprecedented heights. With the future so bright for these rookies and the collectibles craze showing no signs of slowing, 2021 Topps Big League cards stand poised to attain even loftier prices in the years to come. The set delivered some of the true heavyweight cards of modern times.
