The 2021 Panini Chronicles Baseball card set featured some of the biggest young stars in the game with rookie cards that have become extremely valuable in a short period of time. Panini has carved out a nice niche for itself with its on-card autographs of top players, and Chronicles continues that trend by capturing stars at the beginning of their careers. With the meteoric rise of the sports card industry in recent years, these rookie autographs have gained tremendous value. Here’s a look at some of the most valuable Chronicles 2021 baseball cards to emerge from the set.
Wander Franco Green Auto /99 (#CA-WF): Wander Franco burst onto the scene in 2021 as one of the most hyped prospects in baseball and lived up to the billing with an electric debut for the Tampa Bay Rays. His autos from Chronicles capture him at the dawn of what should be a great career. The green parallel version of his auto is the most limited at just 99 copies. Unsurprisingly, due to his star power and the ultra-low print run, this has become one of the most expensive cards from the set. Examples in gem mint condition have sold for upwards of $5,000, though most have traded hands in the $2,000-3,000 range. Franco looks like a perennial MVP candidate and franchise cornerstone, making any of his autos from his inaugural season that much more coveted long-term.
Riley Greene Gold Auto /50 (#CA-RG): Taken 5th overall by the Detroit Tigers in the 2019 MLB Draft, Riley Greene had one of the most anticipated pro debuts of 2021. He didn’t disappoint with a strong showing in Double and Triple-A before getting called up to the big leagues. Greene’s on-card gold auto out of just 50 copies stands out as one of the premier rookie cards from Chronicles. In mint condition, it consistently fetches $1,000-1,500. Like Franco, Greene looks to be an anchor for his franchise for years to come based on his impressive all-around skill set. His rookie cards hold tremendous appeal as a result.
Adley Rutschman Gold Auto /50 (#CA-AR): As the top pick in the 2019 draft by the Baltimore Orioles, Adley Rutschman arrived with sky-high expectations that he seems poised to meet and exceed. Injuries slowed his debut a bit, but he showed why he’s such a special talent both offensively and defensively in 2021. His rookie cards like the gold auto parallel out of Chronicles are at the forefront of Orioles collectors’ minds. With its limited print run of only 50, near mint examples trade in the $800-1,000 range with room to appreciate further if Rutschman lives up to his upside. His offensive breakout could be just around the corner, only raising interest in capturing him at the start of his career.
Bobby Witt Jr Blue Auto /99 (#CA-BW): Taken 2nd overall just behind Rutschman in the 2019 draft, Bobby Witt Jr wowed in his first full season with the Kansas City Royals. With power, speed, and advanced all-around skills, Witt looks like a face of the franchise type. His blue auto out of Chronicles, limited to 99 copies, stands out amongst perhaps the hottest rookie cards on the market today. Near mint versions have moved for $600-800 due in large part to tremendous buzz around Witt and belief he can be a perennial all-star. Given his tools and high-profile role with the Royals, his rookie cards should remain in extremely high demand.
Juan Soto Green Scope Auto /99 (#CA-JS): Although Juan Soto is no longer a rookie, his autographed cards still hold immense value considering he’s already a two-time Silver Slugger and led MLB in batting average in 2020 at just 21 years old. Chronicles captured Soto at the perfect time in his early career ascendance. His green auto scoped parallel out of 99 copies stands out as one of the premier vintage Soto cards available. Due to his established superstardom and the parallel’s ultra-low population, examples have sold for over $700. Soto looks like a surefire Hall of Famer in the making, making his autos from before he hit his prime some of the most sought after in the hobby.
It’s clear from the prices these top rookies have commanded that Panini Chronicles hit a homerun with its 2021 release. By providing premiere on-card autographs of burgeoning stars like Franco, Witt, Greene and Rutschman, the company has given collectors seminal rookie cards that hold tremendous long term value and appreciation potential. With an average print run of just 99 or less for the parallel versions, they also hold desirable scarcity. As these players’ careers progress, demand for their earliest vintage is sure to remain high. Chronicles 2021 established itself as one of the premier baseball releases in years with its attractive mix of talent.
