The 2020 Topps baseball card set featured some of the most iconic rookies, stars, and short prints from the 2019 MLB season. While the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the 2020 baseball season greatly, it did little to diminish collectors’ appetites for the latest Topps release. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the standout rookie cards, parallels, and short prints from 2020 Topps that have proven to be the most valuable and sought after on the secondary market.
One of the undisputed kings of the 2020 Topps set was Los Angeles Dodgers rookie sensation Gavin Lux. Lux came up to the big leagues in September 2019 and made an immediate impact, hitting .240 with 2 home runs in 30 games. Lux’s rookies cards skyrocketed in value with this early MLB success and strong future projection. Perhaps the most valuable Lux card is his rainbow foil parallel auto, which has grades examples selling for over $1000 raw. Another highly valuable Lux is his gold foil /2020 parallel, with PSA 10 examples fetching $500-600. Lux also has desirable short prints like his 1984 design parallel auto that can reach $400-500 graded. Overall, Lux showed he has the potential to be a future star, which has made his 2020 Topps cards strong long term holdings.
Another breakout rookie sensation was Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker. After years of hype in the minors, Tucker finally got his chance in 2019 and hit .269 with 4 home runs in 70 games. Tucker’s rookie cards exploded on the secondary market as a result. His most valuable includes his gold parallel auto, with PSA 10 examples selling for $800-1000. His rainbow foil auto also brings $500-700 raw. The 1984 design parallel auto is another highly sought Tucker short print, potentially worth $300-400 graded. Like Lux, Tucker seems primed for stardom which bodes well for the long term value of his first Topps cards captured as an MLB rookie.
While rookies often drive the hype for any given Topps season, stars cards can still retain great value as well. A perfect example is Mike Trout, who remains arguably the best player in baseball. Trout’s base rookie card from 2009 is one of the all-time most valuable, but his recent cards still command strong prices too. The 2020 Topps Trout short prints like his gold parallel (/2020) and various high number cards (>#500) have sold for $150-250 graded. Even Trout’s base cards from 2020 have graded values of $50-100. Having the greatest active player in the game featured each year ensurescontinued demand for his Topps issues.
Cody Bellinger has emerged as one of the premier power hitters in MLB over the last few seasons. Coming off an NL MVP season in 2019, Bellinger’s 2020 Topps cards resonated strongly with collectors. His most expensive include the gold parallel (/2020) auto, which has sold for upwards of $500 raw. High grade examples of his standard auto or negative photo variation auto can reach $300-400 as well. Bellinger also had tough pull short prints like his 1984 design parallel auto around $200-300 PSA 10. With his dynamic play leading the Dodgers, Bellinger’s cards maintain strong collector appeal year over year.
Christian Yelich‘s quest to repeat as NL MVP in 2020 was cut short by a season-ending injury in September 2019. That did little to dampen demand for Yelich’s 2020 Topps cards given his prior dominance. The green parallel (/99) auto is among his costliest at $300-500 raw. The rainbow foil auto and 1984 design parallel auto also reach the $200-300 range graded. Yelich‘s photo negative variation auto and gold parallel (/2020) auto are other $100-200 short prints as well. Despite missing much of 2020 due to injury, Yelich had already proven himself an elite talent worth strong card values.
Two power hitting Yankees sluggers also emerged as big movers in 2020 Topps – Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge. Coming off injury plagued 2019 seasons, both were looking to rebound in 2020. As a result, their first Topps cards capturing their returns to health were in high demand. Stanton’s green parallel (/99) auto sold for over $400 raw. Other top Stanton variants included photo negative and gold parallel (/2020) autographs around $200-300 graded. Judge’s best included a $300-400 gold parallel (/2020) auto raw and $200-300 1984 design autograph PSA 10. Their prodigious power makes Stanton and Judge perennial fan favorites, keeping card values stout.
Veteran superstars can also attain premium prices when scarcity is involved. For example, the Clayton Kershaw negative photo variation auto from 2020 sold for well over $1000 raw due to its rarity. Similarly, the Mike Trout negative variation auto reached $800 raw. Alex Bregman also had an ultra rare sp authentic auto variation /5 that sold for $3000. Even 20+ year veterans like Albert Pujols had a popular photo negative auto around $200 graded. When Topps prints extremely low numbered parallels and variants of pitching aces or offensive stalwarts, collector demand puts significant price premiums into play.
The 2020 Topps baseball set attracted immense collector attention due its vibrant rookie class headlined by Gavin Lux and Kyle Tucker. Established stars like Trout, Bellinger and Yelich also maintained strong secondary market valuations around flagship parallels, autos and variations. Scarcity enhanced the values of elite veterans like Kershaw as well. The overall product highlighted many future Hall of Famers and next generation talents to fuel collecting passions. Whether focused on current big names or tomorrow’s stars, 2020 Topps provided rich cards for each collector niche at various price levels. It serves as an exemplary recent release demonstrating how Topps consistently creates a flagship set capable of long term appeal and investment potential.
