Best Rookie Cards From Every Topps Baseball Set!

Knowing the best Topps baseball cards from each set, each year, is important for card collectors! A common question from sports card collectors, new and old, is what are the best baseball rookie cards by year to get in each Topps Baseball set? That’s what everyone wants, right? The best rookie cards from each Topps flagship set, whether it’s Series 1, Series 2 or Topps Update. (We recently updated this article to show the best rookie cards from several manufacturers, not just Topps, and we went all the way back to 1942.)

Most of the sports card links on this page will take you to eBay. That means I will get a commission on the sales from this page. If you end up buying from these links, I personally thank you for supporting my website! Even if you don’t buy anything, thank you for reading my article! Enjoy!

I consider this to be a very valuable card-collecting tool, and I hope you feel the same!

We used PSA, CardConnection.com and DACardWorld.com to track down many of the most attractive rookie cards for each series, but there could certainly be some errors.

This is obviously subjective because some people might value some rookie cards more than other rookie cards, and I might consider one player worthy of notation, while others think I omitted some great names.

Best Baseball Rookie Cards By Year From Each Topps Baseball Set – Best Rookie Cards Since 1941

This article will be updated throughout the years as some player’s ascend in value and some decline. The most recent seasons will have a higher number of rookies to collect because we’re still waiting to see if they will fulfill their promise. As the seasons wear on, I’ll remove the rookies that have fallen by the wayside. This is all about the best rookie cards from each year.

This is only including Topps flagship set, not Topps Archives, not Topps Heritage, or any other series. I have a separate article here for the Best Topps Chrome Rookie Cards For Every Year Since 1996!

Most of the best rookie cards images provided by BuySportsCards.com.

Best 1941 Play Ball Rookie Cards

• Pee Wee Reese (HOF) – 54 – View on eBay!

There weren’t many cards produced during the war years, and many who would have been great rookies likely went off to fight in the war. Between 1942 and 1947, we didn’t find any great rookie cards of note to share with you.

Best 1948 Bowman Rookie Cards

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• Ralph Kiner (HOF) – 3
• Yogi Berra (HOF) – 6
• Phil Rizzuto (HOF) – 8
• Warren Spahn (HOF) – 18
• Stan Musial (HOF) – 36
• Red Schoendienst (HOF) – 38
• Bobby Thomson – 47

Best 1948 Leaf Baseball Rookie Cards

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• Stan Musial (HOF) – 4
• Satchel Paige (HOF) – 8
• Phil Rizzuto (HOF) – 11
• Warren Spahn (HOF) – 32
• Ted Kluszewski – 38
• Jackie Robinson (HOF) – 39
• Ralph Kiner (HOF) – 91
• Hal Newhouser (HOF) – 98
• George Kell (HOF) – 120
• Johnny Pesky – 121
• Larry Doby – 138

Best 1949 Bowman Baseball Rookie Cards

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• George Kell (HOF) – 26
• Robin Roberts (HOF) – 46
• Roy Campanella (HOF) – 84
• Gil Hodges – 100
• Early Wynn (HOF) – 110
• Richie Ashburn (HOF) – 214
• Duke Snider (HOF) – 226
• Bob Lemon (HOF) – 238

1950 Bowman Baseball Rookie Cards

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• Don Newcombe – 23

Best 1951 Bowman Baseball Rookie Cards

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• Whitey Ford (HOF) – 1
• Joe Garagiola – 122
• Monte Irvin (HOF) – 198
• Nellie Fox (HOF) – 232
• Mickey Mantle (HOF) – 253
• Willie Mays (HOF) – 305

1952 Bowman Rookie Baseball Cards

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• Minnie Minoso (HOF) – 5
• Lew Burdette – 244

Best 1952 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Mickey Mantle – 311
• Billy Martin – 175
• Minnie Minoso (HOF) – 195
• Ralph Houk – 200
• Willie Mays (HOF) – 261
• Hoyt Wilhelm (HOF) – 392
• Dick Williams (HOF) – 396
• Eddie Matthews (HOF) – 406

We listed the 10 Most Valuable 1952 Topps Baseball Cards here!

Best 1953 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Jim Gilliam – 258
• Johnny Podres – 263

We listed the 10 Most Valuable 1953 Topps Baseball Cards here!

Best 1954 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Ernie Banks (HOF) – 94
• Hank Aaron (HOF) – 128
• Tommy LaSorda (HOF) – 132
• Al Kaline (HOF) – 201
• Bill Skowron – 239

Best 1955 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Don Zimmer – 92
• Sandy Koufax (HOF) – 123
• Harmon Killebrew (HOF) – 124
• Roberto Clemente (HOF) – 164

Best Rookie Cards From 1956 Topps Baseball

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• Walt Alston (HOF) – 8
• Luis Aparicio (HOF) – 292

We listed the 10 Most Valuable 1956 Topps Baseball Cards here!

Best 1957 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Don Drysdale (HOF) – 18
• Bill Mazeroski (HOF) – 24
• Whitey Herzog (HOF) – 29
• Frank Robinson (HOF) – 35
• Clete Boyer – 121
• Rocky Colavito – 212
• Bobby Richardson – 286
• Tony Kubek – 312
• Brooks Robinson (HOF) – 328
• Jim Bunning (HOF) – 338

Best 1958 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Johnny Roseboro – 42
• Roger Maris – 47
• Orlando Cepeda (HOF) – 343
• Vada Pinson – 420
• Curt Flood – 464

Best 1959 Topps Rookies Cards

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• MLB Commissioner Ford Frick (HOF) – 1
• Sparky Anderson (HOF) – 338
• Norm Cash – 509
• Bob Gibson (HOF) – 514

Best 1960 Topps Rookies Cards

Here’s my piece on the Top 10 Best Baseball Cards From 1960 Topps Baseball to collect!

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• Frank Howard – 132
• Jim Kaat (HOF) – 136
• Carl Yastrzemski (HOF) – 148
• Willie McCovey (HOF) – 316

Best 1961 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Ron Santo (HOF) – 35
• Billy Williams (HOF) – 141
• Juan Marichal (HOF) – 417

Best Rookie Cards From 1962 Topps Baseball

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• Boog Powell – 99
• Tim McCarver – 167
• Gaylord Perry (HOF) – 199
• Jim Fregosi – 209
• Lou Brock (HOF) – 387
• Joe Torre (HOF) – 218
• Jim Bouton (multi-RC) – 592
• Bob Uecker (multi-RC) – 594
• Sam McDowell – 591
• Joe Pepitone – 596

Best 1963 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Tony Oliva (HOF) (multi-RC) – 228
• Pete Rose (multi-RC) – 537
• Rusty Staub (multi-RC) – 544
• Willie Stargell (HOF) (multi-RC) – 553

Best 1964 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Mickey Lolich – 128
• Tommy John (dual RC) – 146
• Lou Piniella (multi-RC) – 167
• Richie Allen – 243
• Tony La Russa (HOF) – 244
• Tony Conigliaro (dual RC) – 287
• Phil Niekro (dual RC) (HOF) – 541

Best 1965 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Joe Morgan (dual RC) (HOF) – 16
• Luis Tiant – 145
• Denny McClain – 236
• Steve Carlton (dual RC) (HOF) – 477
• Jim “Catfish” Hunter (multi-RC) (HOF) – 526
• Tony Perez (multi-RC) (HOF) – 581

Best 1966 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Jim Palmer (HOF) – 126
• Fergie Jenkins (dual RC) (HOF) – 254
• Don Sutton (dual RC) (HOF) – 288

Best 1967 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Rod Carew (dual RC) (HOF) – 569
• Tom Seaver (dual RC) (HOF) – 581

Best 1968 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Nolan Ryan (dual RC) (HOF) – 177
• Johnny Bench (dual RC) (HOF) – 247
• Hal McCrae (dual RC) – 384

Best 1969 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Bobby Cox (HOF) – 237
• Reggie Jackson (HOF) – 260
• Rollie Fingers (multi-RC) (HOF) – 597
• Bobby Bonds – 630

Best 1970 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Thurman Munson (dual RC) – 189
• Vida Blue/Gene Tenace (dual RC) – 21
• Bill Buckner (dual RC) – 286
• Bill Russell – 304
• Larry Bowa (dual RC) – 539
• Oscar Gamble (multi-RC) – 654

Best 1971 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Dave Concepcion – 14
• Bert Blyleven (HOF) – 26
• Ted Simmons (HOF) – 117
• George Foster (dual RC) – 276
• Steve Garvey – 341
• Greg Luzinski (dual RC) – 439
• Bill Buckner (multi-RC) – 529
• Dusty Baker (multi-RC) – 709

Best 1972 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Carlton Fisk (multi-RC) – 79
• Ron Cey (multi-RC) – 761

Best 1973 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Rich “Goose” Gossage (HOF) – 174
• Mike Schmidt (multi-RC) (HOF) – 615

Best 1974 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Mike Schmidt (first solo card) (HOF) – 283
• Dave Winfield (HOF) – 456
• Ken Griffey – 598
• Bucky Dent – 528
• Dave Parker – 252

Best Rookie Cards From 1975 Topps Baseball

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• George Brett (HOF) No. 228
• Robin Yount (HOF) No. 223
• Jim Rice (HOF, multi-RC) No. 616
• Gary Carter (HOF, multi-RC) No. 620
• Fred Lynn (multi-RC) No. 622
• Keith Hernandez (multi-RC) No. 623

Best 1976 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Dennis Eckersley (HOF) – 98
• Willie Randolph (multi-RC) – 592
• Ron Guidry (multi-RC) – 599

Best 1977 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Bruce Sutter (HOF) – 144
• Mark Fydrich – 265
• Andre Dawson (multi-RC) (HOF) – 473
• Dale Murphy (multi-RC) – 476
• Dennis Martinez (multi-RC) – 491

Best 1978 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Eddie Murray (HOF) – 36
• Jack Morris (multi-RC) (HOF) – 703
• Lou Whitaker (multi-RC) – 704
• Paul Molitor / Alan Trammell (multi-RC) (HOF) – 707

We listed the 10 Most Valuable 1978 Topps Baseball Cards here!

Best 1979 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Ozzie Smith (HOF) – 116

Best 1980 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Rickey Henderson (HOF) – 482

Best 1981 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1:

• Joe Charbonneau – 13
• Mike Scioscia / Fernando Valenzuela (multi-RC) – 302
• Kirk Gibson – 315
• Harold Baines (HOF) – 347
• Tim Raines (multi-RC) (HOF) – 479

Traded:

• Danny Ainge – 727
• Tim Raines (solo rookie card) (HOF) – 816
• Fernando Valenzuela (solo rookie card) – 850

Best 1981 Fleer Baseball Rookie Cards

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• Fernando Valenzuela – 140
• Harold Baines (HOF) – 346
• Kirk Gibson – 481

Best 1981 Donruss Baseball Rookie Cards

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• Tim Raines (HOF) – 538

Best 1982 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Cal Ripken Jr. (multi-RC) (HOF) – 21
• Jorge Bell (George Bell) – 254
• Lee Smith (HOF) – 452

Traded:

• Cal Ripken Jr. (solo rookie card) (HOF) – 98T
• Kent Hrbek – 44T
• Steve Sax – 103T

Best 1983 Topps Rookies Cards

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(View single wax pack of 1983 Topps pricing on eBay!)

• Ryne Sandberg (HOF) – 83
• Tony Gwynn (HOF) – 482
• Wade Boggs (HOF) – 498

Traded:

• Darryl Strawberry – 108T

Best 1984 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Don Mattingly – 8
• Darryl Strawberry – 182

Traded:

• Dwight Gooden – 42T

Best Rookie Cards From 1985 Topps Baseball

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(View single wax pack of 1985 Topps pricing on eBay!)

• Dwight Gooden Record Breaker – 3
• Dwight Gooden – 620
• Roger Clemens – 181
• Orel Hershiser – 493
• Kirby Puckett (HOF) – 536
• Mark McGwire (Team USA) – 401
• Eric Davis – 627

Best 1986 Topps Rookies Cards

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(View single wax pack of 1986 Topps pricing on eBay!)

• Len Dykstra – 53
• Ozzie Guillen – 254
• Cecil Fielder – 386

Traded:

• Barry Bonds – 11T
• Andres Galarraga – 40T
• Bo Jackson – 50T
• Jose Canseco – 20T
• Will Clark – 24T

Best 1987 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Barry Bonds – 320
• Bo Jackson Future Stars – 170
• Mark McGwire (first in A’s uniform) – 366

Traded:

• Greg Maddux (HOF) – 70T
• Fred McGriff (HOF) – 74T

Best 1988 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Tom Glavine (HOF) – 779

Traded:

• Roberto Alomar (HOF) – 4T
• Tino Martinez (Team USA) – 66T

Best 1989 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Craig Biggio (HOF) – 49
• John Smoltz (HOF) – 382
• Randy Johnson (HOF) – 647

Here’s a bonus rookie card not from Topps, but essential to any collection:

• 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. – 1

1989 Topps Traded:

• Ken Griffey Jr. (HOF) – 41T
• Randy Johnson (HOF) (first Mariners card)- 57T

Best 1990 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Ken Griffey Jr. (HOF) – 336
• Frank Thomas (HOF) – 414
• Sammy Sosa – 692
• Larry Walker (HOF) – 757
• Bernie Williams – 701

Best 1991 Topps Rookies Cards

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• Chipper Jones (HOF) – 333

Traded:

• Ivan Rodriguez (HOF) – 101T
• Jeff Bagwell (HOF) – 4T
• Jason Giambi (Team USA) – 45T
• Luis Gonzalez – 48T

Best Rookie Cards From 1992 Topps

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• Manny Ramirez – 156
• Shawn Green – 276
• Kenny Lofton – 69
• Mike Mussina (HOF) – 242
• Jim Thome (HOF) – 768

Traded:

• Nomar Garciaparra – 39T
• Jason Varitek – 123T

Best 1993 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Derek Jeter (HOF) – 98
• Jason Kendall – 334

Here’s another essential non-Topps rookie card for every collection:

• 1993 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter – 279

Series 2:

• Jim Edmonds – 799
• Mike Piazza (HOF) /Carlos Delgado (multi-RC) – 701

Traded:

• Todd Helton (HOF Class of 2024!) – 19T

Best 1994 Topps Rookies Cards

Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

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• Derek Jeter (multi-RC) (HOF) – 158

Traded:

• Paul Konerko – 139

One more essential rookie card for baseball card collectors:

• 1994 Upper Deck SP Alex Rodriguez – 15

Best 1995 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1:

Series 2:

Traded:

• Carlos Beltran UER – 18T
• Mariano Rivera (dual RC) (HOF) – 130T

Best 1996 Topps Rookies Cards

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Best 1997 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1:

• Lance Berkman (dual RC) – 246
• Mariano Rivera (first solo card) (HOF) -256
• David Ortiz (HOF) (multi-RC) – 257

Series 2:

Best 1998 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1:

• Adrian Beltre / Aaron Boone (multi-RC) (HOF Class of 2024! – 254
• Kerry Wood (multi-RC) – 256
• Roy Halladay (multi-RC) (HOF) – 264

Series 2:

• Alex Rodriguez (first Topps card!) – 504

Best 1999 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1:

• Kerry Wood (first solo RC) – 20
• Miguel Tejada – 352

Series 2:

• John Rocker (multi-RC) – 429
• Vernon Wells (multi-RC) – 436
• Matt Holliday (multi-RC) – 442

Best 2000 Topps Rookie Cards

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Series 1:

Series 2:

• Josh Hamilton (dual RC) – 449
• Barry Zito / Ben Sheets (dual RC) – 451

Traded:

• Brandon Phillips – T3
• Alex Gordon – T21
• Juan Pierre – T34
• Francisco Rodriguez – T38
• Miguel Cabrera – T40
• Michael Young – T46
• Adrian Gonzalez – T81

Best 2001 Topps Rookie Cards

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Series 1:

• Travis Hafner (multi-RC) – 371

Series 2:

• Ichiro Suzuki – 726
• Jake Peavy – 728
• Edwin Encarnacion (multi-RC) – 746

Traded:

• Ichiro Suzuki / Albert Pujols (dual RC) – T99
• Justin Morneau – T235
• Jose Reyes – T242
• Albert Pujols – T247

Best 2002 Topps Rookie Cards

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Series 1:

• Jason Bay – 326

Series 2:

• Joe Mauer (HOF Class of 2024!) – 622

Traded:

• Mark Teixeira – T169
• Jose Bautista – T180
• Mark Prior – T231
• Dontrelle Willis – T262

Best 2003 Topps Rookie Cards

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Series 1:

• Cliff Lee – 304
• Alex Rios – 307
• Kevin Youkilis – 311
• Carl Crawford – 325

Series 2:

• Cole Hamels – 671
• Chase Utley (dual RC) – 682

Traded:

• Adam Wainwright – T159
• Hanley Ramirez – T181
• Robinson Cano – T200

Best Rookie Cards From 2004 Topps Baseball

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Series 1:

• Yadier Molina – 324
• Zack Greinke – 330

Series 2:

Traded:

• Felix Hernandez – T144

Best 2005 Topps Rookie Cards

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Series 1:

• Ian Kinsler – 302
• David Wright (dual RC) – 330

Series 2:

• Billy Butler – 668
• Justin Verlander – 677
• Ryan Howard (dual RC) – 689

Updates and Highlights:

• Nelson Cruz – UH206
• Russell Martin – UH234
• Matt Kemp – UH284
• Carlos Gonzalez – UH298
• Ryan Braun – UH313
• Jacoby Ellsbury – UH317
• Ryan Zimmerman – UH323
• Andrew McCutchen – UH329

Best 2006 Topps Rookie Cards

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Series 1:

Series 2:

Updates and Highlights:

• Jon Lester – UH149

Best 2007 Topps Rookie Cards

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Series 1:

Series 2:

• Daisuke Matsuzaka – 630

Updates and Highlights:

• Carlos Gomez – UH155
• Tim Lincecum – UH158
• Justin Upton – UH327

Best 2008 Topps Rookie Cards

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Series 1:

• Joey Votto – 319

Series 2:

• Johnny Cueto – 476

Traded:

• Evan Longoria – UH10
• Jay Bruce – UH100
• Chris Davis – UH231
• Clayton Kershaw – UH240
• Max Scherzer – UH280

Best 2009 Topps Rookie Cards

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Series 1:

• David Price – 35

Series 2:

• Elvis Andrus – 591

Updates and Highlights:

Best 2010 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1:

• Buster Posey – 2
• Madison Bumgarner – 105
• Michael Brantley – 270

Series 2:

• Jason Heyward – 353

Update:

• Mike Stanton (Giancarlo Stanton) – US50
• Kenley Jansen – US114
• Josh Donaldson – US172
• Carlos Santana – US330

Best Rookie Cards From 2011 Topps Baseball

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Series 1:

• Mark Trumbo – 57
• Chris Sale – 65
• Aroldis Chapman – 110
• Freddie Freeman – 145

Series 2:

• Michael Pineda – 595
• Brandon Belt – 605

Update:

• Paul Goldschmidt – US47
• Anthony Rizzo – US55
• Jose Altuve – US132
• Eric Hosmer – US155
• Mike Trout – US175
• J.D. Martinez – US186
• Mike Moustakas – US192
• D.J. LeMahieu – US205
• Charlie Blackmon – US231
• Brandon Crawford – US234
• Kyle Seager – US308
• Dee Gordon – US329

Best 2012 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1:

Series 2:

• Yoenis Cespedes – 396
• Nathan Eovaldi – 405
• Yu Darvish – 660
• Bryce Harper – 661 (short print)

Update:

• Patrick Corbin – US-16
• Matt Harvey – US-23
• Yasmani Grandal – US-104
• Starling Marte – US-109
• Bryce Harper – US-183 (true RC)
• Dallas Keuchel – US-188

Best 2013 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1:

• Manny Machado – 270

Series 2:

• Jose Fernandez – 589

Update:

• Anthony Rendon – US-8
• Gerritt Cole – US-150
• Marcell Ozuna – US-279
• Yasiel Puig – US-250
• Nolan Arenado – US-259
• Marcell Ozuna – US-270
• Christian Yelich – US-290
• Kevin Gausman – US-274
• Sonny Gray – US-277
• Zack Wheeler – US-50

Best 2014 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1:

• Xander Bogaerts – 133
• Nick Castellanos – 195

Series 2:

• Jose Ramirez – 424
• Marcus Semien – 429
• Jose Abreu – 496
• Masahiro Tanaka – 661

Update:

• George Springer – US-10
• Mookie Betts – US-26
• Jacob deGrom – US-50
• Eugenio Suarez – US-96
• Marcus Stroman – US-197
• Kevin Kiermaier – US-253 – View on eBay!
• Robbie Ray – US-284 – View on eBay!

Best 2015 Topps Rookies Cards

Series 1:

• Jorge Soler – 108
• Joc Pederson – 192
• Javier Baez – 315

Series 2:

• Christian Walker – 549
• Kris Bryant – 616

Update:

• Carlos Correa – US174
• Noah Syndergaard – US157
• Byron Buxton – US25
• Max Muncy – US54
• Francisco Lindor – US82
• J.T Realmuto – US398
• Carlos Rodon – US324
• Joey Gallo – US103

Best 2016 Topps Rookies Cards

Series 1:

• Miguel Sano – 78
• Corey Seager – 85
• Kyle Schwarber – 66
• Michael Conforto – 232
• Trea Turner – 103
• Ketel Marte – 73

Series 2:

• Gary Sanchez – 675

Update:

• Blake Snell – US67
• Tim Anderson – US287
• Mike Clevinger – US69
• Brandon Nimmo – US74
• Edwin Diaz – US214
• Trevor Story – US226
• Jose Berrios – US176
• Willson Contreras – US266
• Lucas Giolito – US229

Best 2017 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Dansby Swanson – 87
• Yoan Moncada – 210
• Aaron Judge – 287
• Alex Bregman – 341
• Tyler Glasnow – 349

Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Trey Mancini – 536
• Matt Olson – 476

Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Matt Chapman – US4
• Cody Bellinger – US50
• Jordan Montgomery – US91
• Luis Castillo – US139
• Yandy Díaz – US151
• Josh Hader – US209

Best Rookie Cards From 2018 Topps Baseball

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Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Rafael Devers – 18
• Victor Robles – 166
• Walker Buehler – 177
• J.P. Crawford – 219
• Rhys Hoskins – 259
• Ozzie Albies – 276
• Alex Verdugo – 281
• Max Fried – 316

Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Anthony Santander – 433
• Sandy Alcantara – 594
• Ronald Acuna Jr. – 698 – Bat Down SP
• Gleyber Torres – 699 SP
• Shohei Ohtani – 700

Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Austin Meadows – US34
• Shane Bieber – US198
• Gleyber Torres – US200 (true RC)
• Ronald Acuna Jr. – US250 (true RC)
• Juan Soto – US300

Best 2019 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Kyle Tucker – 60
• Pablo López – 51
• Jeff McNeil – 281
• Brandon Lowe – 114
• Adolis Garcia – 227
• Corbin Burnes – 94
• Cedric Mullins – 318

Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Framber Valdez – 376
• Fernando Tatis Jr. – 410
• Pete Alonso – 475
• Patrick Wisdom – 578
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (No # short print)

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• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – US1
• Josh Naylor – US43
• Bryan Reynolds – US51
• Nathaniel Lowe – US291
• Luis Arraez – US247
• Bryan Reynolds – US51
• Jared Walsh – US59
• Austin Riley – US100
• Will Smith – US199
• Mike Yastrzemski – US245

Best 2020 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Nico Hoerner – 70
• Bo Bichette – 78
• Zac Gallen – 207
• Randy Arozarena – 229
• Yordan Alvarez – 276
• Sean Murphy – 317
• Dylan Cease – 326

Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Emmanuel Clase – 390
• Luis Robert – 392
• Logan Webb – 514

Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Devin Williams – U113

Best 2021 Topps Rookies Cards

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Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Isaac Paredes – 65
• Tarik Skubal – 92
• Alec Bohm – 277
• Joey Bart – 128
• Dylan Carlson – 285
• Ryan Mountcastle – 143
• Ian Anderson – 239

Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• William Contreras – 390
• Ha-Seong Kim – 398
• Ke’Bryan Hayes – 644
• Jazz Chisholm – 538

Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Jarred Kelenic – US302
• Jonathan India – US286

Best 2022 Topps Rookies Cards

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2022 Topps Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Wander Franco – 215
• Cal Raleigh – 277
• Gavin Sheets – 12
• Brandon Marsh – 243
• Reid Detmers – 201

2022 Topps Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Joe Ryan – 390
• Juan Yepez – 506
• Josh Lowe – 479
• Spencer Strider – 509
• Oneil Cruz – 537
• Spencer Torkelson – 658 SP
• Julio Rodriguez – 659 SP
• Bobby Witt Jr. – 660 SP

2022 Topps Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Spencer Torkelson – US20
• C.J. Abrams – US34
• Julio Rodriguez – US44
• Kyle Bradish – US66
• Bobby Witt Jr. – US100
• Royce Lewis – US105
• Hunter Greene – US160
• George Kirby – US207
• Alek Thomas – US212
• Bryson Stott – US224
• Jeremy Pena – US253
• Seiya Suzuki – US250
• Steven Kwan – US261
• Nick Lodolo – US298

Best 2023 Topps Rookies Cards

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2023 Topps Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Nolan Gorman – 16
• Riley Greene – 31
• Brett Baty – 89
• Triston Casas – 92
• Oswald Peraza – 94
• Hunter Brown – 111
• Nolan Jones – 129
• Miguel Vargas – 163
• Gabriel Moreno – 169
• Gunnar Henderson – 206
• Michael Harris II – 226
• Adley Rutschman – 250
• Vaughn Grissom – 275
• Vinnie Pasquantino – 302
• Christopher Morel – 308

2023 Topps Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Jordan Walker – 344
• Kodai Senga – 362
• Logan O’Hoppe – 363
• Max Meyer – 388
• James Outman – 395
• Corbin Carroll – 401
• Anthony Volpe – 460
• Masataka Yoshida – 471
• Josh Jung – 529
• Oscar Colas – 545
• Mark Vientos – 550
• Ezekiel Tovar – 651
• Francisco Alvarez – 644

2023 Topps Update Best Rookie Cards: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)

• Tanner Bibee – US168
• Taj Bradley – US55
• Bryce Miller – US178
• Mason Miller – US15
• Zach Neto – US98
• Eury Perez – US139
• Grayson Rodriguez – US50
• Matt McLain – US199
• Joey Wiemer – US245

Best 2024 Topps Rookies Cards

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2024 Topps Series 1:

• (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
• (View JUMBO box pricing on eBay, with 1 guaranteed auto!)

Here’s my article on the 5 Best Rookies To Target From 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball!

• Endy Rodriguez – 3
• Nolan Schanuel – 53
• Jasson Dominguez – 60
• Sal Frelick – 76
• Curtis Mead – 82
• Elly De La Cruz – 141
• Zack Gelof – 166
• Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 219
• Ronny Mauricio – 224
• Marco Luciano – 232
• Colton Cowser – 257
• Evan Carter – 280
• Henry Davis – 295

2024 Topps Series 2:

• (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
• (View JUMBO box pricing on eBay, with 1 guaranteed auto!)

Here’s my article on the 11 Best Rookie Cards From 2024 Topps Series 2 Baseball!

• Heston Kjerstad – 394
• Pete Crow-Armstrong – 407
• Shota Imanaga – 442
• Jordan Lawlar – 451
• Masyn Winn – 480
• Noelvi Marte – 548
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto – 553
• Junior Caminero – 628
• Kyle Harrison – 667
• Wilyer Abreu – 672
• Jung Hoo-Lee – 691
• SP – Jackson Chourio – 698 SP
• SP – Jackson Merrill – 699 SP
• SP – Wyatt Langford – 700 SP

2024 Topps Update:

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• (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
• (View JUMBO box pricing on eBay, with 1 guaranteed auto!)

Here’s my article on the 11 Best Rookie Cards From 2024 Topps Update Baseball!

• Jackson Merrill – Card No. US210
• Paul Skenes – Card No. US100
• Jackson Chourio – Card No. US240
• Jackson Holliday – Card No. US50
• Wyatt Langford – Card No. US151
• Colt Keith – Card No. US73
• Jared Jones – Card No. US49
• Andy Pages – Card No. US221
• Kyle Manzardo – Card No. US262
• Jack Leiter – Card No. US156
• Jonatan Clase – Card No. US35

Most of the sports card links on this page will take you to eBay. That means I will get a commission on the sales from this page. If you end up buying from these links, I personally thank you for supporting my website! Even if you don’t buy anything, thank you for reading my article! Enjoy!

If you love rookie cards, here are some more articles tracking great cards from the past and present:

• The Most Valuable Baseball Rookie Card of Every Year Since 1948
• 1st Bowman Cards For the Top 100 MLB Prospects in Baseball Right Now!
• Topps Rookie Cards of the Top 100 MLB Players Right Now (2024!)
• The Best Topps Chrome Rookie Cards From Every Year Since 1996
• The Best 2nd-Year Baseball Cards Dating Back to 1953
• The Best BASKETBALL Rookie Cards From Each NBA Season Since 1948
• The Best FOOTBALL Rookie Cards From Each NFL Season Since 1956
• The Best HOCKEY Rookie Cards From Each NHL Season Since 1951

Please comment which rookie cards I’m missing from these sets – but I’ve gone to great lengths to try to get the best baseball rookie cards by year for each Topps set/series.

As I mentioned at the start of this article, this is going to be an often updated page. Some rookie cards will be removed as players decline in value to their baseball team, and some rookie cards will be added as they bloom later than we expected. Either way, feel free to comment below and share some of the players you think are the best baseball rookie cards by year from each Topps baseball set.