The 2016 Topps baseball card set featured some extremely valuable rookie cards and chase cards that have gained significant value in the years since they were released. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable and sought-after 2016 Topps cards on the market today.
One of the premiere rookie cards from the 2016 set is that of Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager. Seager exploded onto the MLB scene in 2016, winning NL Rookie of the Year honors while batting .308 with 26 home runs and 72 RBI. His flashy debut greatly increased demand for his rookie card. The Seager base rookie now sells for $30-50 graded in mint condition. His blue parallel /399 has climbed up to around $150 PSA 10. The true big ticket item though is his red parallel rookie, numbered to just /25 copies. Excellent condition red parallels have sold for upwards of $700-1000 at auction.
Another hugely valuable rookie from 2016 is Chicago Cubs phenom Kris Bryant. Bryant took home NL MVP in his first full season of 2015 and was a key piece of the Cubs 2016 World Series championship. His base rookie card still holds steady value of $25-35 PSA 10. The green parallel /499 has reached $80 PSA 10. But where Bryant cards really shine is in their short printed parallel variations. His purple parallel /199 has sold for over $300 in a PSA 10 slab. And an absolutely gem mint Bryant red parallel /25 recently commanded an unbelievable $2500 price tag.
Switching gears to pitchers, Corey Kluber’s 2016 Topps base rookie card remains a solid $15-20 in top grade. The real heat is found in parallels. His green /499 parallel has jumped up near $50 PSA 10. The ultra-short printed Kluber purple /199 parallel reached $180 in one recent sale. And his crown jewel red /25 parallel shattered expectations, bringing $1200 from an avid Kluber PC collector.
Another tremendously valuable 2016 Topps rookie is that of Boston Red Sox slugging third baseman Rafael Devers. Devers burst onto the MLB scene at just 20 years old in 2017 and has established himself as a cornerstone player for the Red Sox. His base rookie sells in the $25-35 range PSA 10 graded. The green /499 parallel is around $60 PSA 10. But Devers truly shines in the low-numbered parallels. His purple /199 parallel recently traded hands for an astounding $450 in PSA 10 condition.
In addition to the rookie crop, 2016 Topps featured some tremendously rare and sought-after “hits” that have exploded in secondary market value over the past few years. Perhaps the biggest mover has been the legendary Mike Trout “rainbow foil” parallel. Trout had another MVP caliber season in 2016 and remains arguably the best player in baseball. His already valuable base card hovers around $50 PSA 10. Meanwhile, the ultra-short printed rainbow foil parallel numbered a minuscule 3 copies has shattered all expectations, last selling for a staggering $12,000 in PSA 10 glory.
Another truly epic “hit” card from 2016 Topps was the Clayton Kershaw 1/1 printing plate. Kershaw is a modern day legend and 3-time Cy Young winner. His standard base PSA 10 sells around $30-40. The singularly unique 1/1 printing plate is one of a kind and captured by only the luckiest of collectors. In 2020, after years of speculation, the vaunted Kershaw printing plate changed hands in a private sale rumored to be north of $20,000.
In summing up, the 2016 Topps baseball release truly produced some iconic rookies like Seager, Bryant and Devers that exploded in value as their careers blossomed. Chase cards like rare Trout and Kershaw parallels have also achieved incredible heights. For savvy collectors, identifying these emerging stars and scarce “hits” early provided tremendous returns on investment in the ensuing years. The 2016 Topps set endures as one of the most lucrative vintage releases for building a financially strong collection long-term.
