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.
- Topps Rookie Cards of the Top 100 MLB Players Right Now (2024!)
- Best Football Rookie Cards From Each Topps Set Since 1956
- Best Basketball Rookie Cards From Each NBA Season Since 1948
Over the past couple years, I’ve started to dive deeper into my sports card collection, and something that dawned on me is that I’ve never seen a full page with all the best Topps rookie cards from each year. So I said to myself, “Self, get to writing!”
Here’s the thing – I need you to help me out with this. 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.
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.
I’ve used both 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.
(One of the reasons I wrote this article is because I’m kind of obsessed with making up for lost time, and I’m backfilling my sports card collection with the best rookie cards over the past couple decades from which I wasn’t collecting. One of the ways I’m doing that, other than just outright buying the singles on eBay, is buying old boxes and packs to rip from sites like DACardWorld.com, BlowoutCards.com and BBCExchange.com. Do you rip old packs or boxes? Let me know!)
While this article is currently only covering the best rookie cards over the past 10 years, I do plan on going all the way back through the 72 years of Topps baseball card series – probably 10 years at a time. So bookmark this article and come back often!
Best Baseball Rookie Cards By Year From Each Topps Baseball Set – Best Rookie Cards Since 1942
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 Chrome, not Topps Archives, not Topps Heritage, or any other series.
Most of the best rookie cards images provided by BuySportsCards.com.
Bold listings indicate the three best cards from that year.
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
- Ralph Kiner (HOF) – 3 – View on eBay!
- Yogi Berra (HOF) – 6 – View on eBay!
- Phil Rizzuto (HOF) – 8 – View on eBay!
- Warren Spahn (HOF) – 18 – View on eBay!
- Stan Musial (HOF) – 36 – View on eBay!
- Red Schoendienst (HOF) – 38 – View on eBay!
- Bobby Thomson – 47 – View on eBay!
Best 1948 Leaf Baseball Rookie Cards
- Stan Musial (HOF) – 4 – View on eBay!
- Satchel Paige (HOF) – 8 – View on eBay!
- Phil Rizzuto (HOF) – 11 – View on eBay!
- Warren Spahn (HOF) – 32 – View on eBay!
- Ted Kluszewski – 38 – View on eBay!
- Jackie Robinson (HOF) – 39 – View on eBay!
- Ralph Kiner (HOF) – 91 – View on eBay!
- Hal Newhouser (HOF) – 98 – View on eBay!
- George Kell (HOF) – 120 – View on eBay!
- Johnny Pesky – 121 – View on eBay!
- Larry Doby – 138 – View on eBay!
Best 1949 Bowman Baseball Rookie Cards
- George Kell (HOF) – 26 – View on eBay!
- Robin Roberts (HOF) – 46 – View on eBay!
- Roy Campanella (HOF) – 84 – View on eBay!
- Gil Hodges – 100 – View on eBay!
- Early Wynn (HOF) – 110 – View on eBay!
- Richie Ashburn (HOF) – 214 – View on eBay!
- Duke Snider (HOF) – 226 – View on eBay!
- Bob Lemon (HOF) – 238 – View on eBay!
1950 Bowman Baseball Rookie Cards
- Don Newcombe – 23 – View on eBay!
Best 1951 Bowman Baseball Rookie Cards
- Whitey Ford (HOF) – 1 – View on eBay!
- Joe Garagiola – 122 – View on eBay!
- Monte Irvin (HOF) – 198 – View on eBay!
- Nellie Fox (HOF) – 232 – View on eBay!
- Mickey Mantle (HOF) – 253 – View on eBay!
- Willie Mays (HOF) – 305 – View on eBay!
1952 Bowman Rookie Baseball Cards
- Minnie Minoso (HOF) – 5 – View on eBay!
- Lew Burdette – 244 – View on eBay!
Best 1952 Topps Rookies Cards
- Mickey Mantle – 311 – View on eBay!
- Billy Martin – 175 – View on eBay!
- Minnie Minoso (HOF) – 195 – View on eBay!
- Ralph Houk – 200 – View on eBay!
- Willie Mays (HOF) – 261 – View on eBay!
- Hoyt Wilhelm (HOF) – 392 – View on eBay!
- Dick Williams (HOF) – 396 – View on eBay!
- Eddie Matthews (HOF) – 406 – View on eBay!
Best 1953 Topps Rookies Cards
- Johnny Podres – 263 – View on eBay!
Best 1954 Topps Rookies Cards
- Ernie Banks (HOF) – 94 – View on eBay!
- Hank Aaron (HOF) – 128 – View on eBay!
- Tommy LaSorda (HOF) – 132 – View on eBay!
- Al Kaline (HOF) – 201 – View on eBay!
- Bill Skowron – 239 – View on eBay!
Best 1955 Topps Rookies Cards
- Don Zimmer – 92 – View on eBay!
- Sandy Koufax (HOF) – 123 – View on eBay!
- Harmon Killebrew (HOF) – 124 – View on eBay!
- Roberto Clemente (HOF) – 164 – View on eBay!
Best Rookie Cards From 1956 Topps Baseball
- Walt Alston (HOF) – 8 – View on eBay!
- Luis Aparicio – 292 – View on eBay!
We listed the 10 Most Valuable 1956 Topps Baseball Cards here!
Best 1957 Topps Rookies Cards
- Don Drysdale (HOF) – 18 – View on eBay!
- Bill Mazeroski (HOF) – 24 – View on eBay!
- Whitey Herzog (HOF) – 29 – View on eBay!
- Frank Robinson (HOF) – 35 – View on eBay!
- Clete Boyer – 121 – View on eBay!
- Rocky Colavito – 212 – View on eBay!
- Bobby Richardson – 286 – View on eBay!
- Tony Kubek – 312 – View on eBay!
- Brooks Robinson (HOF) – 328 – View on eBay!
- Jim Bunning (HOF) – 338 – View on eBay!
Best 1958 Topps Rookies Cards
- Johnny Roseboro – 42 – View on eBay!
- Roger Maris – 47 – View on eBay!
- Orlando Cepeda (HOF) – 343 – View on eBay!
- Vada Pinson – 420 – View on eBay!
Best 1959 Topps Rookies Cards
- MLB Commissioner Ford Frick (HOF) – 1 – View on eBay!
- Sparky Anderson (HOF) – 338 – View on eBay!
- Norm Cash – 509 – View on eBay!
- Bob Gibson (HOF) – 514 – View on eBay!
Best 1960 Topps Rookies Cards
Here’s my piece on the Top 10 Best Baseball Cards From 1960 Topps Baseball to collect!
- Carl Yastrzemski (HOF) – 148 – View on eBay!
- Willie McCovey (HOF) – 316 – View on eBay!
Best 1961 Topps Rookies Cards
- Ron Santo (HOF) – 35 – View on eBay!
- Billy Williams (HOF) – 141 – View on eBay!
- Juan Marichal (HOF) – 417 – View on eBay!
Best Rookie Cards From 1962 Topps Baseball
- Boog Powell – 99 – View on eBay!
- Tim McCarver – 167 – View on eBay!
- Gaylord Perry (HOF) – 199 – View on eBay!
- Jim Fregosi – 209 – View on eBay!
- Lou Brock (HOF) – 387 – View on eBay!
- Joe Torre (HOF) – 218 – View on eBay!
- Jim Bouton (multi-RC) – 592 – View on eBay!
- Bob Uecker (multi-RC) – 594 – View on eBay!
- Joe Pepitone – 596 – View on eBay!
Best 1963 Topps Rookies Cards
- Tony Oliva (HOF) (multi-RC) – 228 – View on eBay!
- Pete Rose (multi-RC) – 537 – View on eBay!
- Rusty Staub (HOF) (multi-RC) – 544 – View on eBay!
- Willie Stargell (HOF) (multi-RC) – 553 – View on eBay!
Best 1964 Topps Rookies Cards
- Tommy John (dual RC) – 146 – View on eBay!
- Lou Piniella (multi-RC) – 167 – View on eBay!
- Richie Allen – 243 – View on eBay!
- Tony La Russa (HOF) – 244 – View on eBay!
- Tony Conigliaro (dual RC) – 287 – View on eBay!
- Phil Niekro (dual RC) (HOF) – 541 – View on eBay!
Best 1965 Topps Rookies Cards
- Joe Morgan (dual RC) (HOF) – 16 – View on eBay!
- Denny McClain – 236 – View on eBay!
- Steve Carlton (dual RC) (HOF) – 477 – View on eBay!
- Jim “Catfish” Hunter (multi-RC) (HOF) – 526 – View on eBay!
- Tony Perez (multi-RC) (HOF) – 581 – View on eBay!
Best 1966 Topps Rookies Cards
- Jim Palmer (HOF) – 126 – View on eBay!
- Fergie Jenkins (dual RC) (HOF) – 254 – View on eBay!
- Don Sutton (dual RC) (HOF) – 288 – View on eBay!
Best 1967 Topps Rookies Cards
- Rod Carew (dual RC) (HOF) – 569 – View on eBay!
- Tom Seaver (dual RC) (HOF) – 581 – View on eBay!
Best 1968 Topps Rookies Cards
- Nolan Ryan (dual RC) (HOF) – 177 – View on eBay!
- Johnny Bench (dual RC) (HOF) – 247 – View on eBay!
Best 1969 Topps Rookies Cards
- Bobby Cox (HOF) – 237 – View on eBay!
- Reggie Jackson (HOF) – 260 – View on eBay!
- Rollie Fingers (multi-RC) (HOF) – 597 – View on eBay!
- Bobby Bonds – 630 – View on eBay!
Best 1970 Topps Rookies Cards
- Thurman Munson (dual RC) – 189 – View on eBay!
- Vida Blue/Gene Tenace (dual RC) – 21 – View on eBay!
- Bill Buckner (dual RC) – 286 – View on eBay!
- Bill Russell – 304 – View on eBay!
- Larry Bowa (dual RC) – 539 – View on eBay!
Best 1971 Topps Rookies Cards
- Dave Concepcion – 14 – View on eBay!
- Bert Blyleven (HOF) – 26 – View on eBay!
- Ted Simmons (HOF) – 117 – View on eBay!
- George Foster (dual RC) – 276 – View on eBay!
- Steve Garvey – 341 – View on eBay!
- Greg Luzinski (dual RC) – 439 – View on eBay!
- Bill Buckner (multi-RC) – 529 – View on eBay!
- Dusty Baker (multi-RC) – 709 – View on eBay!
Best 1972 Topps Rookies Cards
- Carlton Fisk (multi-RC) – 79 – View on eBay!
- Ron Cey (multi-RC) – 761 – View on eBay!
Best 1973 Topps Rookies Cards
- Rich “Goose” Gossage (HOF) – 174 – View on eBay!
- Oscar Gamble – 372 – View on eBay!
- Hal McCrae – 28 – View on eBay!
- Mike Schmidt (multi-RC) (HOF) – 615 – View on eBay!
Best 1974 Topps Rookies Cards
- Mike Schmidt (first solo card) (HOF) – 283 – View on eBay!
- Dave Winfield (HOF) – 456 – View on eBay!
- Ken Griffey – 598 – View on eBay!
- Bucky Dent – 528 – View on eBay!
- Dave Parker – 252 – View on eBay!
Best Rookie Cards From 1975 Topps Baseball
- George Brett No. 228 – View on eBay!
- Robin Yount No. 223 – View on eBay!
- Jim Rice (multi-RC) No. 616 – View on eBay!
- Gary Carter (multi-RC) No. 620 – View on eBay!
- Fred Lynn (multi-RC) No. 622 – View on eBay!
- Keith Hernandez (multi-RC) No. 623 – View on eBay!
Best 1976 Topps Rookies Cards
- Dennis Eckersley (HOF) – 98 – View on eBay!
- Willie Randolph (multi-RC) – 592 – View on eBay!
- Ron Guidry (multi-RC) – 599 – View on eBay!
Best 1977 Topps Rookies Cards
- Bruce Sutter (HOF) – 144 – View on eBay!
- Mark Fydrich – 265 – View on eBay!
- Andre Dawson (multi-RC) (HOF) – 473 – View on eBay!
- Dale Murphy (multi-RC) (HOF) – 476 – View on eBay!
- Dennis Martinez (multi-RC) (HOF) – 491 – View on eBay!
Best 1978 Topps Rookies Cards
- Eddie Murray (HOF) – 36 – View on eBay!
- Jack Morris (multi-RC) (HOF) – 703 – View on eBay!
- Lou Whitaker (multi-RC) – 704 – View on eBay!
- Paul Molitor / Alan Trammell (multi-RC) (HOF) – 707 – View on eBay!
We listed the 10 Most Valuable 1978 Topps Baseball Cards here!
Best 1979 Topps Rookies Cards
- Ozzie Smith (HOF) – 116 – View on eBay!
Best 1980 Topps Rookies Cards
- Rickey Henderson (HOF) – 482 – View on eBay!
Best 1981 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
- Joe Charbonneau – 13 – View on eBay!
- Mike Scioscia / Fernando Valenzuela (multi-RC) – 302 – View on eBay!
- Kirk Gibson – 315 – View on eBay!
- Harold Baines (HOF) – 347 – View on eBay!
- Tim Raines (multi-RC) (HOF) – 479 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Danny Ainge – 727 – View on eBay!
- Tim Raines (solo rookie card) (HOF) – 816 – View on eBay!
- Fernando Valenzuela (solo rookie card) – 850 – View on eBay!
Best 1981 Fleer Baseball Rookie Cards
- Fernando Valenzuela – 140 – View on eBay!
- Harold Baines (HOF) – 346 – View on eBay!
- Kirk Gibson – 481 – View on eBay!
Best 1981 Donruss Baseball Rookie Cards
- Tim Raines (HOF) – 538 – View on eBay!
Best 1982 Topps Rookies Cards
- Cal Ripken Jr. (multi-RC) (HOF) – 21 – View on eBay!
- Jorge Bell (George Bell) – 254 – View on eBay!
- Lee Smith (HOF) – 452 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Cal Ripken Jr. (solo rookie card) (HOF) – 98T – View on eBay!
- Kent Hrbek – 44T – View on eBay!
- Steve Sax – 103T – View on eBay!
Best 1983 Topps Rookies Cards
(View single wax pack of 1983 Topps pricing on eBay!)
- Ryne Sandberg (HOF) – 83 – View on eBay!
- Tony Gwynn (HOF) – 482 – View on eBay!
- Wade Boggs (HOF) – 498 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Darryl Strawberry – 108T – View on eBay!
Best 1984 Topps Rookies Cards
(View single wax pack of 1984 Topps pricing on eBay!)
- Don Mattingly – 8 – View on eBay!
- Darryl Strawberry – 182 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Dwight Gooden – 42T – View on eBay!
Best Rookie Cards From 1985 Topps Baseball
(View single wax pack of 1985 Topps pricing on eBay!)
- Dwight Gooden Record Breaker – 3 – View on eBay!
- Dwight Gooden – 620 – View on eBay!
- Roger Clemens – 181 – View on eBay!
- Orel Hershiser (HOF) – 493 – View on eBay!
- Kirby Puckett (HOF) – 536 – View on eBay!
- Mark McGwire (Team USA) – 401 – View on eBay!
- Eric Davis – 627 – View on eBay!
Best 1986 Topps Rookies Cards
(View single wax pack of 1986 Topps pricing on eBay!)
- Len Dykstra – 53 – View on eBay!
- Cecil Fielder – 386 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Barry Bonds – 11T – View on eBay!
- Bo Jackson – 50T – View on eBay!
- Jose Canseco – 20T – View on eBay!
- Will Clark – 24T – View on eBay!
Best 1987 Topps Rookies Cards
(View single wax pack of 1987 Topps pricing on eBay!)
- Barry Bonds – 320 – View on eBay!
- Bo Jackson Future Stars – 170 – View on eBay!
- Mark McGwire (first in A’s uniform) – 366 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Greg Maddux (HOF) – 70T – View on eBay!
- Fred McGriff (HOF) – 74T – View on eBay!
Best 1988 Topps Rookies Cards
(View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Tom Glavine (HOF) – 779 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Roberto Alomar (HOF) – 4T – View on eBay!
- Tino Martinez (Team USA) – 66T – View on eBay!
Best 1989 Topps Rookies Cards
(View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Craig Biggio (HOF) – 49 – View on eBay!
- John Smoltz (HOF) – 382 – View on eBay!
- Randy Johnson (HOF) – 647 – View on eBay!
Here’s a bonus rookie card not from Topps, but essential to any collection:
- 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. – 1 – View on eBay!
1989 Topps Traded:
- Ken Griffey Jr. (HOF) – 41T – View on eBay!
- Randy Johnson (HOF) (first Mariners card)- 57T – View on eBay!
Best 1990 Topps Rookies Cards
(View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Ken Griffey Jr. (HOF) – 336 – View on eBay!
- Frank Thomas (HOF) – 414 – View on eBay!
- Sammy Sosa – 692 – View on eBay!
- Larry Walker (HOF) – 757 – View on eBay!
- Bernie Williams – 701 – View on eBay!
Best 1991 Topps Rookies Cards
(View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Chipper Jones (HOF) – 333 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Ivan Rodriguez (HOF) – 101T – View on eBay!
- Jeff Bagwell (HOF) – 4T – View on eBay!
- Jason Giambi (Team USA) – 45T – View on eBay!
- Luis Gonzalez – 48T – View on eBay!
Best Rookie Cards From 1992 Topps
(View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Manny Ramirez – 156 – View on eBay!
- Shawn Green – 276 – View on eBay!
- Kenny Lofton – 69 – View on eBay!
- Mike Mussina (HOF) – 242 – View on eBay!
- Jim Thome (HOF) – 768 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Nomar Garciaparra – 39T – View on eBay!
- Jason Varitek – 123T – View on eBay!
Best 1993 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Derek Jeter (HOF) – 98 – View on eBay!
- Jason Kendall – 334 – View on eBay!
Here’s another essential non-Topps rookie card for every collection:
- 1993 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter – 279 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Jim Edmonds – 799 – View on eBay!
- Mike Piazza (HOF) /Carlos Delgado (multi-RC) – 701 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Todd Helton (HOF Class of 2024!) – 19T – View on eBay!
Best 1994 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Derek Jeter (multi-RC) (HOF) – 158 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Paul Konerko – 139 – View on eBay!
One more essential rookie card for baseball card collectors:
- 1994 Upper Deck SP Alex Rodriguez – 15 – View on eBay!
Best 1995 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
Series 2:
Traded:
- Carlos Beltran UER – 18T – View on eBay!
- Mariano Rivera (dual RC) (HOF) – 130T – View on eBay!
Best 1996 Topps Rookies Cards
Best 1997 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
- Lance Berkman (dual RC) – 246 – View on eBay!’
- Mariano Rivera (first solo card) (HOF) -256 – View on eBay!
- David Ortiz (HOF) (multi-RC) – 257 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
Best 1998 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
- Adrian Beltre / Aaron Boone (multi-RC) (HOF Class of 2024! – 254 – View on eBay!
- Kerry Wood (multi-RC) – 256 – View on eBay!
- Roy Halladay (multi-RC) (HOF) – 264 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Alex Rodriguez (first Topps card!) – 504 – View on eBay!
(Shout-out to viewer Edward Williams for sharing this!)
Best 1999 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
- Kerry Wood (first solo RC) – 20 – View on eBay!
- Miguel Tejada – 352 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- John Rocker (multi-RC) – 429 – View on eBay!
- Vernon Wells (multi-RC) – 436 – View on eBay!
- Matt Holliday (multi-RC) – 442 – View on eBay!
Best 2000 Topps Rookie Cards
Series 1:
Series 2:
- Josh Hamilton (dual RC) – 449 – View on eBay!
- Barry Zito / Ben Sheets (dual RC) – 451 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Brandon Phillips – T3 – View on eBay!
- Alex Gordon – T21 – View on eBay!
- Juan Pierre – T34 – View on eBay!
- Francisco Rodriguez – T38 – View on eBay!
- Miguel Cabrera – T40 – View on eBay!
- Michael Young – T46 – View on eBay!
- Adrian Gonzalez – T81 – View on eBay!
Best 2001 Topps Rookie Cards
Series 1:
- Travis Hafner (multi-RC) – 371 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Ichiro Suzuki – 726 – View on eBay!
- Jake Peavy – 728 – View on eBay!
- Edwin Encarnacion (multi-RC) – 746 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Ichiro Suzuki / Albert Pujols (dual RC) – T99 – View on eBay!
- Justin Morneau – T235 – View on eBay!
- Jose Reyes – T242 – View on eBay!
- Albert Pujols – T247 – View on eBay!
Best 2002 Topps Rookie Cards
Series 1:
- Jason Bay – 326 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Joe Mauer (HOF Class of 2024!) – 622 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Mark Teixeira – T169 – View on eBay!
- Jose Bautista – T180 – View on eBay!
- Mark Prior – T231 – View on eBay!
- Dontrelle Willis – T262 – View on eBay!
Best 2003 Topps Rookie Cards
Series 1:
- Cliff Lee – 304 – View on eBay!
- Alex Rios – 307 – View on eBay!
- Kevin Youkilis – 311 – View on eBay!
- Carl Crawford – 325 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Cole Hamels – 671 – View on eBay!
- Chase Utley (dual RC) – 682 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Adam Wainwright – T159 – View on eBay!
- Hanley Ramirez – T181 – View on eBay!
- Robinson Cano – T200 – View on eBay!
Best Rookie Cards From 2004 Topps Baseball
Series 1:
- Yadier Molina – 324 – View on eBay!
- Zack Greinke – 330 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
Traded:
- Felix Hernandez – T144 – View on eBay!
Best 2005 Topps Rookie Cards
Series 1:
- Ian Kinsler – 302 – View on eBay!
- David Wright (dual RC) – 330 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Billy Butler – 668 – View on eBay!
- Justin Verlander – 677 – View on eBay!
- Ryan Howard (dual RC) – 689 – View on eBay!
Updates and Highlights:
- Nelson Cruz – UH206 – View on eBay!
- Russell Martin – UH234 – View on eBay!
- Matt Kemp – UH284 – View on eBay!
- Carlos Gonzalez – UH298 – View on eBay!
- Ryan Braun – UH313 – View on eBay!
- Jacoby Ellsbury – UH317 – View on eBay!
- Ryan Zimmerman – UH323 – View on eBay!
- Andrew McCutchen – UH329 – View on eBay!
Best 2006 Topps Rookie Cards
Series 1:
Series 2:
Updates and Highlights:
- Jon Lester – UH149 – View on eBay!
Best 2007 Topps Rookie Cards
Series 1:
Series 2:
- Daisuke Matsuzaka – 630 – View on eBay!
Updates and Highlights:
- Carlos Gomez – UH155 – View on eBay!
- Tim Lincecum – UH158 – View on eBay!
- Justin Upton – UH327 – View on eBay!
Best 2008 Topps Rookie Cards
Series 1:
- Joey Votto – 319 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Johnny Cueto – 476 – View on eBay!
Traded:
- Evan Longoria – UH10 – View on eBay!
- Jay Bruce – UH100 – View on eBay!
- Chris Davis – UH231 – View on eBay!
- Clayton Kershaw – UH240 – View on eBay!
- Max Scherzer – UH280 – View on eBay!
Best 2009 Topps Rookie Cards
Series 1:
- David Price – 35 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Elvis Andrus – 591 – View on eBay!
Updates and Highlights:
Best 2010 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
- Buster Posey – 2 – View on eBay!
- Madison Bumgarner – 105 – View on eBay!
- Michael Brantley – 270 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Jason Heyward – 353 – View on eBay!
Update:
- Mike Stanton (Giancarlo Stanton) – US50 – View on eBay!
- Kenley Jansen – US114 – View on eBay!
- Josh Donaldson – US172 – View on eBay!
- Carlos Santana – US330 – View on eBay!
Best Rookie Cards From 2011 Topps Baseball
Series 1:
- Mark Trumbo – 57 – View on eBay!
- Chris Sale – 65 – View on eBay!
- Aroldis Chapman – 110 – View on eBay!
- Freddie Freeman – 145 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Michael Pineda – 595 – View on eBay!
- Brandon Belt – 605 – View on eBay!
Update:
- Paul Goldschmidt – US47 – View on eBay!
- Anthony Rizzo – US55 – View on eBay!
- Jose Altuve – US132 – View on eBay!
- Eric Hosmer – US155 – View on eBay!
- Mike Trout – US175 – View on eBay!
- J.D. Martinez – US186 – View on eBay!
- Mike Moustakas – US192 – View on eBay!
- D.J. LeMahieu – US205 – View on eBay!
- Charlie Blackmon – US231 – View on eBay!
- Brandon Crawford – US234 – View on eBay!
- Kyle Seager – US308 – View on eBay!
- Dee Gordon – US329 – View on eBay!
Best 2012 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
Series 2:
- Yoenis Cespedes – 396 – View on eBay!
- Yu Darvish – 660 – View on eBay!
- Bryce Harper – 661 (short print) – View on eBay!
Update:
- Patrick Corbin – US-16 – View on eBay!
- Matt Harvey – US-23 – View on eBay!
- Yasmani Grandal – US-104 – View on eBay!
- Starling Marte – US-109 – View on eBay!
- Bryce Harper – US-183 (true RC) – View on eBay!
- Dallas Keuchel – US-188 – View on eBay!
Best 2013 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
- Manny Machado – 270 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Jose Fernandez – 589 – View on eBay!
Update:
- Anthony Rendon – US-8 – View on eBay!
- Gerritt Cole – US-150 – View on eBay!
- Yasiel Puig – US-250 – View on eBay!
- Nolan Arenado – US-259 – View on eBay!
- Marcell Ozuna – US-270 – View on eBay!
- Christian Yelich – US-290 – View on eBay!
Best 2014 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
- Xander Bogaerts – 133 – View on eBay!
- Nick Castellanos – 195 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Jose Ramirez – 424 – View on eBay!
- Marcus Semien – 429 – View on eBay!
- Jose Abreu – 496 – View on eBay!
- Masahiro Tanaka – 661 – View on eBay!
Update:
- George Springer – US-10 – View on eBay!
- Mookie Betts – US-26 – View on eBay!
- Jacob deGrom – US-50 – View on eBay!
- Eugenio Suarez – US-96 – View on eBay!
- Marcus Stroman – US-197 – View on eBay!
- Kevin Kiermaier – US-253 – View on eBay!
- Robbie Ray – US-284 – View on eBay!
Best 2015 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
- Jorge Soler – 108 – View on eBay!
- Joc Pederson – 192 – View on eBay!
- Javier Baez – 315 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Kris Bryant – 616 – View on eBay!
Update:
- Carlos Correa – US174 – View on eBay!
- Noah Syndergaard – US157 – View on eBay!
- Byron Buxton – US25 – View on eBay!
- Francisco Lindor – US82 – View on eBay!
- J.T Realmuto – US398 – View on eBay!
- Carlos Rodon – US324 – View on eBay!
- Joey Gallo – US103 – View on eBay!
Best 2016 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1:
- Miguel Sano – 78 – View on eBay!
- Corey Seager – 85 – View on eBay!
- Kyle Schwarber – 66 – View on eBay!
- Michael Conforto – 232 – View on eBay!
- Trea Turner – 103 – View on eBay!
- Ketel Marte – 73 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
- Gary Sanchez – 675 – View on eBay!
Update:
- Blake Snell – US67 – View on eBay!
- Tim Anderson – US287 – View on eBay!
- Mike Clevinger – US69 – View on eBay!
- Edwin Diaz – US214 – View on eBay!
- Trevor Story – US226 – View on eBay!
- Jose Berrios – US176 – View on eBay!
- Lucas Giolito – US229 – View on eBay!
Best 2017 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Dansby Swanson – 87 – View on eBay!
- Yoan Moncada – 210 – View on eBay!
- Aaron Judge – 287 – View on eBay!
- Alex Bregman – 341 – View on eBay!
- Tyler Glasnow – 349 – View on eBay!
Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Trey Mancini – 536 – View on eBay!
- Matt Olson – 476 – View on eBay!
Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Matt Chapman – US4 – View on eBay!
- Cody Bellinger – US50 – View on eBay!
Best Rookie Cards From 2018 Topps Baseball
Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Rafael Devers – 18 – View on eBay!
- Victor Robles – 166 – View on eBay!
- Walker Buehler – 177 – View on eBay!
- Rhys Hoskins – 259 – View on eBay!
- Ozzie Albies – 276 – View on eBay!
- Alex Verdugo – 281 – View on eBay!
Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Sandy Alcantara – 594 – View on eBay!
- Ronald Acuna Jr. – 698 – Bat Down SP – View on eBay!
- Gleyber Torres – 699 SP – View on eBay!
- Shohei Ohtani – 700 – View on eBay!
Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Austin Meadows – US34 – View on eBay!
- Shane Bieber – US198 – View on eBay!
- Gleyber Torres – US200 (true RC) – View on eBay!
- Ronald Acuna Jr. – US250 (true RC) – View on eBay!
- Juan Soto – US300 – View on eBay!
Best 2019 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Kyle Tucker – 60 – View on eBay!
- Jeff McNeil – 281 – View on eBay!
- Brandon Lowe – 114 – View on eBay!
- Adolis Garcia – 227 – View on eBay!
- Corbin Burnes – 94 – View on eBay!
- Cedric Mullins – 318 – View on eBay!
Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Fernando Tatis Jr. – 410 – View on eBay!
- Pete Alonso – 475 – View on eBay!
- Patrick Wisdom – 578 – View on eBay!
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (No # short print) – View on eBay!
Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – US1 – View on eBay!
- Luis Arraez – US247 – View on eBay!
- Bryan Reynolds – US51 – View on eBay!
- Jared Walsh – US59 – View on eBay!
- Austin Riley – US100 – View on eBay!
- Will Smith – US199 – View on eBay!
- Mike Yastrzemski – US245 – View on eBay!
Best 2020 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Nico Hoerner – 70 – View on eBay!
- Bo Bichette – 78 – View on eBay!
- Zac Gallen – 207 – View on eBay!
- Randy Arozarena – 229 – View on eBay!
- Yordan Alvarez – 276 – View on eBay!
- Dylan Cease – 326 – View on eBay!
Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Emmanuel Clase – 390 – View on eBay!
- Luis Robert – 392 – View on eBay!
Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Devin Williams – U113 – View on eBay!
Best 2021 Topps Rookies Cards
Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Jo Adell – 43 – View on eBay!
- Alec Bohm – 277 – View on eBay!
- Joey Bart – 128 – View on eBay!
- Dylan Carlson – 285 – View on eBay!
- Ryan Mountcastle – 143 – View on eBay!
- Cristian Pache – 187 – View on eBay!
- Ian Anderson – 239 – View on eBay!
Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Ke’Bryan Hayes – 644 – View on eBay!
- Jazz Chisholm – 538 – View on eBay!
Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Jarred Kelenic – US302 – View on eBay!
- Andrew Vaughn – US312 – View on eBay!
- Jonathan India – US286 – View on eBay!
- Alek Manaoh – US227 – View on eBay!
Best 2022 Topps Rookies Cards
2022 Topps Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
- Wander Franco – 215 – View on eBay!
- Gavin Sheets – 12 – View on eBay!
- Brandon Marsh – 243 – View on eBay!
- Bryan De La Cruz – 22 – View on eBay!
- Reid Detmers – 201 – View on eBay!
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
- 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
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
- 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
- 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
- Joey Wiemer – US245
Best 2024 Topps Rookies Cards
2024 Topps Series 1:
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
We hope you enjoyed this list of the best baseball rookie cards from Topps dating back to 1952! Here are a couple similar articles for the other two main sports!
- Best Football Rookie Cards From Each Topps Set Since 1956
- Best Basketball Rookie Cards From Each NBA Season Since 1948
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.