Best Baseball Cards To Collect 2021 on eBay
The new season is finally here so what better time than now to take a look at best baseball cards to collect in 2021. Just like in 2020, we’re sure to see plenty of great cards released from the industry’s top sets. While the 2021 Topps Series 1, Bowman Baseball, and Topps Heritage are the biggest names released so far, the mega-stars like Bowman and Topps Chrome will soon be making a huge impact again. Therefore, we’ll focus on cards you can expect from some of the most talented young players in the league from all of the top sets. And Mike Trout. Sorry Mike you’re a spring chicken no longer.
Related Content: They don’t offer the glitz, glam, or value of the best baseball cards to collect in 2021. Still, there’s nothing wrong with scooping up some of the funniest baseball cards of all time.
Best Baseball Prospect Cards to Collect 2021
Spencer Torkelson (Check Price)
The Tork-Meister (nobody really calls him that but let’s try to start a trend!) was the first overall pick in the 2020 draft and instantly shot up to the number 3 prospect in the land. Don’t expect him to waste too much time in the minors as he is a seasoned college player. Especially if he starts raking. A 2021 appearance isn’t likely but 2022 seems a certainty. A strong finish to his first minor league season could send this card flying!
Adley Rutschman (Check Price)
Baseball American recently called Rutschman the best prospect since Bryce Harper. And he’s certainly performing like it! So far in 2021 Adley has 11 long balls in just over 160 ABS and carries an OPS of .937. Watch for those numbers to rise alongside the value of his first-year cards all summer long.
Zac Veen (Check Price)
We love this guy’s potential as he has plus raw power and apparently can steal bases like a mad man as he already has 24 in his first 44 minor league games. The power hasn’t developed yet but he’s only 19 and that should come in time. The 9th round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft will also be playing his home games at Coors Field once he makes the big leagues.
Jasson Dominguez (Check Price)
He’s finally gearing up for his pro debut and if the season goes like many think it will – WATCH OUT. Dominguez prospect cards like the one shown above will EXPLODE. He plays for the Yankiees and is about as hyped as any prospect in recent memory. Risky but could be WELL worth an investment.
Best Mike Trout Baseball Cards to Collect 2021 (Check Price)
Mike Trout will be entering his second decade as the game’s dominant force. While Trout has experienced many individual accolades, he’s still searching for a meaningful run in the playoffs. That said, Trout has shown no signs of slowing down. This leads us to believe that at some point we’ll see the perennial MVP contender shine on the big stage. Or at least be given the opportunity to do so for crying out loud. Here are some cards that would be worth owning if he turns the playoff corner next year!
Topps Heritage (Buy on eBay)
This card will feature a calm and classic photo of Trout on one knee gazing off into the sunset. While the design is one of the coolest features, the huge variety of different parallels is even more important. We prefer the Millville Meteor version shown above. Grab one!
NOW RELEASED: Topps Series 1 (Check Price)
This is a parallel to the base Topps Series 1 Special Anniversary set. The Gold parallel has a print run of just under 2,000 making it rare enough to hold a little value but common enough to be accessible for most collectors. There are also less common parallels ranging from print runs of 1 to 99.
Best Ronald Acuna Jr. Baseball Cards to Collect 2021
At just 22 years old Acuna will be entering his 4th season in the MLB. Acuna, who signed an 8-year $100 million contract in 2019, has the potential to be a once-in-a-generation talent (similar to the man above). The powerful left fielder has already helped the Braves to 3 consecutive division titles and fell just short of a World Series appearance in 2020. If he takes the next step in 2021, Acuna’s trading card value could go through the roof.
1986 Topps Baseball Autograph (Buy on eBay)
This set of inserts is extremely exciting. To celebrate the 70th Anniversary it features current players on the legendary 1986 Topps layout, which is the GOAT in our humble opinion. Acuna Jr. is confirmed to be featured in this set, so keep an eye out for the on-card autograph parallel! The card shown above is from the 2018 set but should give you a good idea of what to expect.
As far as parallels go there are 4 versions: Black (#/199), Gold (#/50), Red (#/25), and Platinum (1/1). Here’s to you finding that lone Platinum!!
Acuna & Soto Dual Signatures (Check Price)
Just take one look at that card and tell me you don’t need it in your collection. It’s only two of the best young players to enter the league years. No big deal. That was sarcasm if you didn’t notice! The price tag of around $1,000 for the /35 above shows how much of a big deal it truly is.
Bowman Chrome Baseball Gold Border Parallel
The 2021 Bowman Chrome collection will feature a sleek design that includes different colored borders for each parallel and a shaded effect throughout the cards. The Gold parallel has a print run of 50 so should end up somewhere in the area of a mid-range investment. In addition to the Gold, there will be more common parallels of Acuna that should put less of a dent in your bankroll.
Now Released: Topps Archives (Buy on eBay)
Just released at the start of 2021, Topps Archives offers all kinds of on-card autograph options from the best of today’s active players. As far as value goes, cards in the set can go for some big dollars. For instance, both the 1/1 Fernando Tatis Jr. and Cody Bellinger from this set have sold for more than $1,000.
Best Fernando Tatis Jr. Baseball Cards to Collect 2021
Another youngster with extreme potential, Tatis Jr. goes into his 3rd season with the San Diego Padres. The eventual value of his 2021 cards will depend heavily on whether he can shake off last year’s late-season slump and return to form. And given his track record, we don’t see that being a problem. So if you happen to come across any of the cards below you may want to consider holding onto them for a while.
Cards Already Released
So far we’re definitely giving the edge to the 2021 Topps Archive card we just mentioned. And how can you not? With talent like Tatis has we won’t hesitate to load up on the more expensive options. Plus it’s always nice to have a 1/1 in your collection!
Low-Cost Tatis Jr. Sets For 2021
2021 Panini Baseball (Check Inventory)
Panini Prizm is always a top set for budget baseball cards and this year is no different. Panini is pretty consistent when it comes to releasing an exciting array of cards and Tatis appears to be turning a double play in the one he’s featured on. As we said, these are great budget cards so look for plenty of rare Prizms for less than $20.
2021 Donruss (Check Inventory)
Sticking with the Panini family of cards, this set features plenty of Fernado Tatis Jr. options in the low range value. As far as style goes, the base card is a throwback to the iconic 1987 Donruss set so have fun trying to resist picking up a few of these. Other great editions include the Diamond Kings and Unleashed inserts.
Best Juan Soto Baseball Cards to Collect 2021
Although still young, Soto is now established as hands down one of the best players in baseball. He already has a World Series under his belt (winning the Babe Ruth award in the process) and last year won the batting title by hitting an impressive .351.
At the age of just 21, Soto’s path to stardom is already complete so you can bank on him being a huge fixture in the league for years to come. Here are a couple of his upcoming cards we’re looking forward to.
2021 Topps Archives Gypsy Queen (Check Price)
Who can resist the Gypsy Queen? Not us! Especially not with Juan Soto involved. Like many from Topps Archives, this is a higher-end card but don’t worry there’s plenty of other good options in the set.
2021 Topps 1986 Insert (Buy on eBay)
If you don’t think that 1986 layout is one of the finest to ever grace a collection of baseball cards you better think again. Just take a look at the helmetless photo of Soto underneath that bold black and red Nationals header. Enough said. A great card that can hold a nice amount of value.
Just For Fun: Topps Series 1 Spring Training Cap Logo Patches
These cards will feature a cap patch worn in spring training and can also have an on-card autograph depending on the player. They’re not going to be the most valuable cards to look at but pretty cool nonetheless. However, the autograph parallels will only have a print run of 10 so if Soto pops out of one it could actually be worth some money!
2021 Topps Chrome
It’s a set that performed incredibly well last year and included many Juan Soto options with values in the $500 range. Above we see the Auto Jersey parallel, which became a favorite among collectors. We see no reason to expect anything less in 2021. Expect to see Topps Chrome on the shelves in July!
Best Yordan Alvarez Baseball Cards to Collect 2021
At the age of just 23, Alvarez remarkably raises the average age of the players found on the list so far. Which is a huge testament to the great young talent currently present in the MLB. Despite being slightly older than many of today’s new stars, Alvarez has only played one full season, that being his rookie year in 2019 for which he was awarded the AL Rookie of the Year. While last season was disrupted by injury, look for a resounding bounce-back season from one of the best bats from 2019.
Topps & Bowman Chrome
Although usually a staple amongst collectors, the Bowman and Topps Chrome sets are a bit overshadowed on this list by the uber-hyped Topps Series 1 70th Anniversary cards. However, both are sure to wildly popular as always. Not to mention wildly valuable.
Panini & Donruss
While these sets may make some of the most valuable football cards, Topps and Bowman run the show in baseball. Meaning these are both great sets to dive into if you’re looking for a mid to low-range purchase. Look for plenty of parallels and refractors and keep your fingers crossed for some cool throwbacks while you’re at it!
Question of the day: Who on this list will have the best season in 2021? It’ll certainly be close, but we have a feeling Juan Soto will rise above the steep competition!
Best Baseball Cards to Collect 2020 Comparison
Next year’s best cards will surely differ from those that reigned supreme in 2020. While Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome dominated the current year’s list, we expect to see the 70th Anniversary Topps Series 1 set give these two a run for their money (and for yours!).
All 5 players on this list had cards last year that sold for incredibly very high amounts, with Mike Trout unsurprisingly topping them all. Looking forward to 2021, we expect the value of non-rookie cards from the youngsters on this list to trend higher as they continue to set the league on fire. So buckle up for the ride because it should be a fun one.
Related Content: Hottest Baseball Rookie Cards 2020
Best Baseball Card to Collect 2021: True Rookie Cards
Now we come to the most exciting part of the 2021 best baseball card round-up. The TRUE rookie cards to be released! While many of the following players have already made their debut as Bowman Chrome prospects, there will be big value in the cards made for their first season in the bigs. Hence the TRUE rookie card tag. Let’s see who should be making an impact!
Mackenzie Gore
He’s the best pitching prospect in baseball and should make his inevitable debut in 2021. Meaning there will be a rush to scoop up his releases once they start surfacing. He has the stuff scouts dream of and that electrifying arsenal of pitches should be on full display at some point next season. Consider a 2021 Mackenzie Gore box break from a high-end set like Bowman Chrome. If you landing a few of his first true rookie cards you should have no problem “winning” the box break.
Jarred Kelenic
There’s no shortage of scouts who consider Kelenic to be the best bat in the minors. And many of those same guys expect that bat to be in the majors next season. The question is how will Kelenic stand up to major league pitching? As we said in our Jarred Kelenic rookie card (prospect) review, we don’t see him having much trouble with the adjustment. He’s already got a 2018 Bowman Chrome Draft card that’s generating plenty of cash at auction. Expect the same from his true rookie cards once they arrive.
Wander Franco
Say hello to the game’s top prospect. However, as we said in our Wander Franco rookie card guide, we’re a little weary of Franco living up to the extraordinary hype he’s created for himself. Lots of pressure to say the least. His 2019 Bowman Chrome is already selling for more than $10,000 if it’s the right grade and parallel. So if you missed your chance to buy the 2019 Chrome at a reasonable price target his true rookie card options. Regardless of whether he pans out or not, the cards will hold tremendous value and should be a great sell-high opportunity at some point.
Alex Kirilloff
Once considered only second to Franco as far as positions players go, Alex had a so-so 2019 on the farm causing him to slip in the prospect rankings. However, Kirilloff’s setback should provide a nice opening to buy some of his first season cards on the cheap. He’s a pure hitter who has plenty of power. Don’t let that injury-riddled 2019 fool you, he should be back to form and swinging a hot bat in front of MLB crowds before you know it.