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.)
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!”
I used PSAcard.com, CardConnection.com and DACardWorld.com to track down many of the most attractive rookie cards for each series.
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 baseball rookie cards from each year.
This only includes 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 and I created a post for the Best 1st Bowman Cards of the Top 100 Prospects here!
Or you can just scroll through the entire list below until you see something jump out at you!
Card images provided by BuySportsCards.com.
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!
There were a few great sets that came out in the ’40s before Topps really grabbed on to MLB’s card license for themselves.
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.
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!
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!
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!
This was the decade when baseball card collecting really took off with Baby Boomers, turning people like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays into world famous athletes.
Quick Links: 1940-49 | 1950-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-09 | 2010-19 | 2020-
Don Newcombe – 23 – View on eBay!
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!
Minnie Minoso (HOF) – 5 – View on eBay!
Lew Burdette – 244 – View on eBay!
Mickey Mantle – 311 (Not technically his rookie card, but it is viewed so by many) – 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(Not technically his rookie card, but it is viewed so by many) – View on eBay!
Hoyt Wilhelm (HOF) – 392 – View on eBay!
Dick Williams (HOF) – 396 – View on eBay!
Eddie Matthews (HOF) – 406– View on eBay!
Jim Gilliam – 258 – View on eBay!
Johnny Podres – 263 – View on eBay!
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!
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!
Walt Alston (HOF) – 8 – View on eBay!
Luis Aparicio (HOF) – 292 – View on eBay!
We listed the 10 Most Valuable 1956 Topps Baseball Cards here!
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!
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!
Curt Flood – 464 – View on eBay!
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!
Topps continued as the lone licensed card producer through the ’60s, as far as cards that came in packs with gum. Fleer tried to test that in 1963, but failed.
Quick Links: 1940-49 | 1950-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-09 | 2010-19 | 2020-
Here’s my piece on the Top 10 Best Baseball Cards From 1960 Topps Baseball to collect!
Frank Howard – 132 – View on eBay!
Jim Kaat (HOF) – 136 – View on eBay!
Carl Yastrzemski (HOF) – 148 – View on eBay!
Willie McCovey (HOF) – 316 – View on eBay!
Ron Santo (HOF) – 35 – View on eBay!
Billy Williams (HOF) – 141 – View on eBay!
Juan Marichal (HOF) – 417 – View on eBay!
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!
Sam McDowell – 591 – View on eBay!
Joe Pepitone – 596 – View on eBay!
Tony Oliva (HOF) (multi-RC) – 228 – View on eBay!
Pete Rose (multi-RC) – 537 – View on eBay!
Rusty Staub (multi-RC) – 544 – View on eBay!
Willie Stargell (HOF) (multi-RC) – 553 – View on eBay!
Mickey Lolich – 128 – View on eBay!
Tommy John (dual RC) – 146 – View on eBay!
Lou Piniella (multi-RC) – 167 – View on eBay!
Richie Allen (HOF) – 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!
Joe Morgan (dual RC) (HOF) – 16 – View on eBay!
Luis Tiant – 145 – 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!
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!
Rod Carew (dual RC) (HOF) – 569 – View on eBay!
Tom Seaver (dual RC) (HOF) – 581 – View on eBay!
Nolan Ryan (dual RC) (HOF) – 177 – View on eBay!
Johnny Bench (dual RC) (HOF) – 247 – View on eBay!
Hal McCrae (dual RC) – 384 – View on eBay!
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!
Topps continued with their stranglehold on the industry through the ’70s, but this would be their last decade of lone dominance.
Quick Links: 1940-49 | 1950-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-09 | 2010-19 | 2020-
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!
Oscar Gamble (multi-RC) – 654 – View on eBay!
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!
Rich “Goose” Gossage (HOF) – 174 – View on eBay!
Mike Schmidt (multi-RC) (HOF) – 615 – View on eBay!
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 (HOF) – 252 – View on eBay!
George Brett (HOF) No. 228 – View on eBay!
Robin Yount (HOF) No. 223 – View on eBay!
Jim Rice (HOF, multi-RC) No. 616 – View on eBay!
Gary Carter (HOF, 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!
Dennis Eckersley (HOF) – 98 – View on eBay!
Willie Randolph (multi-RC) – 592 – View on eBay!
Ron Guidry (multi-RC) – 599 – View on eBay!
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) – 476 – View on eBay!
Dennis Martinez (multi-RC) – 491 – View on eBay!
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!
Ozzie Smith (HOF) – 116 – View on eBay!
Move over Topps — Donruss, Fleer, Upper Deck and others finally broke up the MLB card license monopoly in the ’80s.
Quick Links: 1940-49 | 1950-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-09 | 2010-19 | 2020-
Rickey Henderson (HOF) – 482 – View on eBay!
You can read my “9 Amazing Facts About the 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson Rookie Card” here!
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!
Fernando Valenzuela – 140 – View on eBay!
Harold Baines (HOF) – 346 – View on eBay!
Kirk Gibson – 481 – View on eBay!
Tim Raines (HOF) – 538 – View on eBay!
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!
(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!
(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!
(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 – 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!
(View single wax pack of 1986 Topps pricing on eBay!)
Len Dykstra – 53 – View on eBay!
Ozzie Guillen – 254 – View on eBay!
Cecil Fielder – 386 – View on eBay!
Traded:
Barry Bonds – 11T – View on eBay!
Andres Galarraga – 40T – View on eBay!
Bo Jackson – 50T – View on eBay!
Jose Canseco – 20T – View on eBay!
Will Clark – 24T – View on eBay!
(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!
(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!
(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!
Deep into the “Junk Wax Era” now, the ’90s represented another shift in card manufacturing, forcing companies to create premium products.
Quick Links: 1940-49 | 1950-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-09 | 2010-19 | 2020-
(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!
(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!
(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!
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!
Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Derek Jeter (multi-RC) (HOF) – 158 – View on eBay!
Billy Wagner (HOF) – 209 – 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!
Series 1:
Series 2:
Traded:
Carlos Beltran UER – 18T – View on eBay!
Mariano Rivera (dual RC) (HOF) – 130T – View on eBay!
Not really much to write home about from the 1996 Topps rookie card group.
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:
Series 1:
Adrian Beltre (HOF) / Aaron Boone (multi-RC) – 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!)
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!
Topps Traded:
CC Sabathia (HOF) – T33 – View on eBay!
Baseball card collecting started to wane at this point, as superstars from the ’80s aged out, ’80s kids became parents, and other sports began to get more attention.
Quick Links: 1940-49 | 1950-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-09 | 2010-19 | 2020-
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!
Series 1:
Travis Hafner (multi-RC) – 371 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
Ichiro Suzuki (HOF) – 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!
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!
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!
Series 1:
Yadier Molina – 324 – View on eBay!
Zack Greinke – 330 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
Traded:
Felix Hernandez – T144 – View on eBay!
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!
Series 1:
Series 2:
Updates and Highlights:
Jon Lester – UH149 – View on eBay!
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!
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!
Series 1:
David Price – 35 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
Elvis Andrus – 591 – View on eBay!
Updates and Highlights:
This decade started off with a bang, specifically in the 2011 Topps Update series, as a new age of superstars came up.
Quick Links: 1940-49 | 1950-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-09 | 2010-19 | 2020-
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!
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!
Series 1:
Series 2:
Yoenis Cespedes – 396 – View on eBay!
Nathan Eovaldi – 405 – 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!
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!
Marcell Ozuna – US-279 – 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!
Kevin Gausman – US-274 – View on eBay!
Sonny Gray – US-277 – View on eBay!
Zack Wheeler – US-50 – View on eBay!
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!
Series 1:
Jorge Soler – 108 – View on eBay!
Joc Pederson – 192 – View on eBay!
Javier Baez – 315 – View on eBay!
Series 2:
Christian Walker – 549 – View on eBay!
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!
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!
Brandon Nimmo – US74 – View on eBay!
Edwin Diaz – US214 – View on eBay!
Trevor Story – US226 – View on eBay!
Jose Berrios – US176 – View on eBay!
Willson Contreras – US266 – View on eBay!
Lucas Giolito – US229 – View on eBay!
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!
Jordan Montgomery – US91 – View on eBay!
Luis Castillo – US139 – View on eBay!
Yandy Díaz – US151 – View on eBay!
Josh Hader – US209 – View on eBay!
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!
J.P. Crawford – 219 – View on eBay!
Rhys Hoskins – 259 – View on eBay!
Ozzie Albies – 276 – View on eBay!
Alex Verdugo – 281 – View on eBay!
Max Fried – 316 – View on eBay!
Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Anthony Santander – 433 – View 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!
Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Kyle Tucker – 60 – View on eBay!
Pablo López – 51 – 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!)
Framber Valdez – 376 – View on eBay!
Fernando Tatis Jr. – 410 – View on eBay!
Pete Alonso – 475 – 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!
Josh Naylor – US43 – View on eBay!
Bryan Reynolds – US51 – View on eBay!
Nathaniel Lowe – US291 – 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!
The pandemic card-collecting boom brought in tons of new collectors and totally rejuvenated a hobby that started heating up already in the late 2010s.
Quick Links: 1940-49 | 1950-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-09 | 2010-19 | 2020-
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!
Sean Murphy – 317 – 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!
Logan Webb – 514 View on eBay!
Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Devin Williams – U113 – View on eBay!
Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Jo Adell – 43 – View on eBay!
Isaac Paredes – 65 – View on eBay!
Tarik Skubal – 92 – View on eBay!
Alec Bohm – 277 – View on eBay!
Joey Bart – 128 – 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!)
William Contreras – 390 – View on eBay!
Ha-Seong Kim – 398 – View 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!
2022 Topps Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Cal Raleigh – 277 – View on eBay!
Gavin Sheets – 12 – View on eBay!
Brandon Marsh – 243 – View on eBay!
Reid Detmers – 201 – View on eBay!
2022 Topps Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Joe Ryan – 390 – View on eBay!
Juan Yepez – 506 – View on eBay!
Josh Lowe – 479 – View on eBay!
Spencer Strider – 509 – View on eBay!
Oneil Cruz – 537 – View on eBay!
Spencer Torkelson – 658 SP – View on eBay!
Julio Rodriguez – 659 SP – View on eBay!
Bobby Witt Jr. – 660 SP – View on eBay!
2022 Topps Update: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Spencer Torkelson – US20 – View on eBay!
C.J. Abrams – US34 – View on eBay!
Julio Rodriguez – US44 – View on eBay!
Kyle Bradish – US66 – View on eBay!
Bobby Witt Jr. – US100 – View on eBay!
Royce Lewis – US105 – View on eBay!
Hunter Greene – US160 – View on eBay!
George Kirby – US207 – View on eBay!
Alek Thomas – US212 – View on eBay!
Bryson Stott – US224 – View on eBay!
Jeremy Pena – US253 – View on eBay!
Seiya Suzuki – US250 – View on eBay!
Steven Kwan – US261 – View on eBay!
Nick Lodolo – US298 – View on eBay!
2023 Topps Series 1: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Nolan Gorman – 16 – View on eBay!
Riley Greene – 31 – View on eBay!
Brett Baty – 89 – View on eBay!
Triston Casas – 92 – View on eBay!
Oswald Peraza – 94 – View on eBay!
Hunter Brown – 111 – View on eBay!
Nolan Jones – 129 – View on eBay!
Miguel Vargas – 163 – View on eBay!
Gabriel Moreno – 169 – View on eBay!
Gunnar Henderson – 206 – View on eBay!
Michael Harris II – 226 – View on eBay!
Adley Rutschman – 250 – View on eBay!
Vaughn Grissom – 275 – View on eBay!
Vinnie Pasquantino – 302 – View on eBay!
Christopher Morel – 308 – View on eBay!
2023 Topps Series 2: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Jordan Walker – 344 – View on eBay!
Kodai Senga – 362 – View on eBay!
Logan O’Hoppe – 363 – View on eBay!
Max Meyer – 388 – View on eBay!
James Outman – 395 – View on eBay!
Corbin Carroll – 401 – View on eBay!
Anthony Volpe – 460 – View on eBay!
Masataka Yoshida – 471 – View on eBay!
Josh Jung – 529 – View on eBay!
Oscar Colas – 545 – View on eBay!
Ezekiel Tovar – 651 – View on eBay!
Francisco Alvarez – 644 – View on eBay!
2023 Topps Update Best Rookie Cards: (View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
Tanner Bibee – US168 – View on eBay!
Taj Bradley – US55 – View on eBay!
Bryce Miller – US178 – View on eBay!
Mason Miller – US15 – View on eBay!
Zach Neto – US98 – View on eBay!
Eury Perez – US139 – View on eBay!
Grayson Rodriguez – US50 – View on eBay!
Matt McLain – US199 – View on eBay!
Joey Wiemer – US245 – View on eBay!
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 – View on eBay!
Nolan Schanuel – 53 – View on eBay!
Jasson Dominguez – 60 – View on eBay!
Sal Frelick – 76 – View on eBay!
Curtis Mead – 82 – View on eBay!
Elly De La Cruz – 141 – View on eBay!
Zack Gelof – 166 – View on eBay!
Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 219 – View on eBay!
Ronny Mauricio – 224 – View on eBay!
Marco Luciano – 232 – View on eBay!
Colton Cowser – 257 – View on eBay!
Evan Carter – 280 – View on eBay!
Henry Davis – 295 – View on eBay!
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 – View on eBay!
Pete Crow-Armstrong – 407 – View on eBay!
Shota Imanaga – 442 – View on eBay!
Jordan Lawlar – 451 – View on eBay!
Masyn Winn – 480 – View on eBay!
Noelvi Marte – 548 – View on eBay!
Yoshinobu Yamamoto – 553 – View on eBay!
Junior Caminero – 628 – View on eBay!
Kyle Harrison – 667 – View on eBay!
Wilyer Abreu – 672 – View on eBay!
Jung Hoo-Lee – 691 – View on eBay!
SP – Jackson Chourio – 698 SP – View on eBay!
SP – Jackson Merrill – 699 SP – View on eBay!
SP – Wyatt Langford – 700 SP – View on eBay!
2024 Topps Update:
View hobby box pricing on eBay!
View JUMBO box pricing on eBay!
Here’s my article on the 11 Best Rookie Cards From 2024 Topps Update!
Jonatan Clase – US35 – View on eBay!
Jared Jones – US49 – View on eBay!
Jackson Holliday – US50 – View on eBay!
Colt Keith – US73 – View on eBay!
Paul Skenes – US100 – View on eBay!
Wyatt Langford – US151 – View on eBay!
Jack Leiter – US156 – View on eBay!
Jackson Merrill – US210 – View on eBay!
Andy Pages – US221 – View on eBay!
Jackson Chourio – US240 – View on eBay!
Kyle Manzardo – US262 – View on eBay!
Also, we looked at all the rookies from the three Topps flagship series from 2024 together as a whole to rank the 15 Best 2024 Topps Rookie Cards: RC Power Rankings!
2025 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 15 Best Rookies From 2025 Topps Series 1 Baseball!
Orelvis Martinez – 18 – View on eBay!
Coby Mayo – 20 – View on eBay!
Jhonkensy Noel Card No. 24 – View on eBay!
Dylan Crews – 74 – View on eBay!
Jace Jung – 80 – View on eBay!
Spencer Schwellenbach – 103 – View on eBay!
Connor Norby – 132 – View on eBay!
James Wood – 181 – View on eBay!
Rhett Lowder – 205 – View on eBay!
Rece Hinds – 217 – View on eBay!
Adrian Del Castillo – 226 – View on eBay!
Justyn-Henry Malloy – 269 – View on eBay!
Jacob Wilson – 314 – View on eBay!
Brooks Lee – 317 – View on eBay!
Ben Rice – 337 – View on eBay!
2025 Topps Series 2:
(View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
(View JUMBO box pricing on eBay, with 1 guaranteed auto!)
Roki Sasaki – 558 – View on eBay!
Luisangel Acuña – 524 – View on eBay!
Kevin Alcántara – 578 – View on eBay!
Jackson Jobe – 490 – View on eBay!
Thomas Saggese – 463 – View on eBay!
Hyeseong Kim – 573 – View on eBay!
Kumar Rocker – 408 – View on eBay!
Griffin Conine – 447 – View on eBay!
2025 Topps Update — Release Date Oct. 29, 2025
(View hobby box pricing on eBay!)
(View JUMBO box pricing on eBay, with 1 guaranteed auto!)
Here’s my article on the 15 Best Rookies From 2025 Topps Update Baseball!
Kristian Campbell – US1 – View on eBay!
Agustín Ramírez – US11 – View on eBay!
Luke Keaschall – US16 – View on eBay!
Dalton Rushing – US38 – View on eBay!
Drake Baldwin – US87 – View on eBay!
Marcelo Mayer – US105 – View on eBay!
Robert Hassell III – US109 – View on eBay!
Mick Abel – US127 – View on eBay!
Cade Horton – US140 – View on eBay!
Caleb Durbin – US170 – View on eBay!
Daylen Lile – US172 – View on eBay!
Matt Shaw – US200 – View on eBay!
Nick Kurtz – US201 – View on eBay!
Max Muncy – US250 – View on eBay!
Moisés Ballesteros – US262 – View on eBay!
Chandler Simpson – US277 – View on eBay!
Cam Smith – US298 – View on eBay!
Quick Links: 1940-49 | 1950-59 | 1960-69 | 1970-79 | 1980-89 | 1990-99 | 2000-09 | 2010-19 | 2020-
More Baseball:
Best Basketball Rookie Cards | Best Football Rookie Cards | Best Hockey Rookie Cards
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.
Collecting the Best 2025 Upper Deck NHL Rookie Cards from Series 1 is a great…
Collecting the best 2025 Topps Update rookie cards is smart because this is always one…
It's all about the rookies! We tracked down the best basketball rookie cards from each…
With 2025 Donruss WNBA finally dropping, we’re all excited about grabbing rookie cards of the…
Finally, we can start bringing 2025 Topps Basketball Rookie Cards into our NBA card collection!…
After reviewing all three Upper Deck series, we ranked the 12 top 2024 Upper Deck…
This website uses cookies.