The 2021 Topps Baseball Update Series was released on September 1st and contained an insert set focused on standout rookie performers from the shortened 2020 season as well as several parallels and short prints of star players. While not as anticipated as the flagship Topps Series 1 and 2 releases each year, the Update Series provides baseball card collectors a fun way to stay engaged late in the regular season by adding newly significant rookies and updated stats/achievements to existing rosters. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top rookie and veteran cards collectors sought after from the 2021 Topps Baseball Update Series release.
One of the most highly sought after rookie cards in the 2021 Topps Update Series was Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan. Kwan burst onto the scene in 2022 with an excellent .298 batting average in 92 games. While he did not post overly impressive power numbers, Kwan showed elite contact skills and plate discipline rarely seen from a rookie. His Update Series base card quickly gained value due to his breakout campaign. Another prized rookie card was Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Though he only played in 99 games, Rodriguez flashed five tool talent by hitting .284 with 18 home runs and 16 stolen bases. His electrifying plays and charisma made him a fan favorite in Seattle and one of the most intriguing young prospects in baseball. Rodriguez Update cards were snatched up quickly.
Two other high impact rookies featured prominently in the 2021 Topps Update Series were Reds second baseman Jonathan India and Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin. India won NL Rookie of the Year after a stellar .269 batting average, 21 home runs and 69 RBI campaign in 2021. Gonsolin emerged as a key member of the star-studded Dodgers rotation with a 2.14 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 128.1 innings pitched during the regular season. India and Gonsolin base cards, along with several parallel and short print variations, were in high demand among collectors pursuing the brightest young talents from the 2021 season.
Veteran superstars also received nice inclusion in the 2021 Topps Update Series, namely Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Fernando Tatis Jr. Ohtani continued to amaze by mashing 46 home runs at the plate while notching a 3.18 ERA pitching for the Angels. His accomplishments earned him the AL MVP award and fueled collector interest in his Update cards. Guerrero followed up his breakout 2021 campaign with an AL-leading 48 home runs along with 111 RBI. His dominance at such a young age made for valuable Update cards. Tatis was limited to just 130 games due to injury but still delivered when on the field with a .282 average and 42 home runs. Any Tatis cards were always hot commodities in 2021-22.
Other established veteran sluggers who received multiple highly-chased parallels or short prints in the 2021 Topps Update Series included Bryce Harper, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Mookie Betts. Harper continued his stellar offensive production for the Phillies. Soto still ranked among the game’s most feared hitters despite playing for a last place Nationals squad. Acuña was working his way back from an ACL tear but still tantalized collectors with his immense talent. New Dodger Mookie Betts was a key part of LA’s championship success in 2021. Collectors looked to add shiny versions of these hitting standouts to their collections through Target, Walgreens, and Hobby Box exclusive foil parallels found in the Update Series.
On the pitching side, collectors targeted short prints and special parallels of elite hurlers like Jacob deGrom, Corbin Burnes, Walker Buehler, and Max Scherzer. DeGrom posted an otherworldly 1.08 ERA for the Mets but arm injuries limited him to just 15 starts and collectors were eager for any cardboard they could get of the generational arm. Brewers ace Corbin Burnes nearly won a Cy Young in 2021 with a 2.43 ERA and 234 strikeouts over 167 innings. Dodgers ace Walker Buehler and new Mets ace Max Scherzer provided 1-2 punches for their teams and their veteran pedigree and continued excellence created demand for high end Update cards.
Of course, no checklist would be complete without the inclusion of superstar rookies that broke out after the flagship Topps Series 1 and 2 releases. Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson saw significant playing time in 2021 and earned a Topps Rookie Debut insert highlighting his potential. Guardians infielder Tyler Freeman did not debut until late in the season but electric minor league play garnered an Rookie Debut issue as collectors followed his prospect status. These debuting rookies supplemented the established young talent with emerging options for collectors to pursue.
While not quite as anticipated as the flagship releases, the 2021 Topps Baseball Update Series offered collectors a fun late-season product to chase down emerging rookie talents like Kwan, Rodriguez and India as well as chase after parallel and short print variations of established young stars and veterans in Ohtani, Guerrero Jr., Tatis Jr., Harper and more. The mix of rookies making their Topps debut alongside statistical and award updated mainstay veterans created an engaging checklist with several “hits” that became hot tickets on the secondary market. Even without the guaranteed big name rookies of Series 1/2, the Update Series maintained dedicated collector interest through September.
