Zac Gallen is the guy nobody saw coming until he was already mowing down the best hitters in the National League. For collectors, that late-bloomer trajectory created a weirdly perfect storm. By the time he was a Cy Young finalist in 2022 and 2023, his early stuff was already established, but people were still scrambling to figure out which card was actually the one to own.
The truth is, the "Milkman" has a checklist that’s surprisingly deep for a pitcher who didn't even debut until he was 23. If you're hunting for a Zac Gallen rookie card, you're basically looking at the 2020 release cycle.
He didn't have a flagship rookie in 2019 despite throwing 80 innings of 2.81 ERA ball between Miami and Arizona. Topps made us wait. That delay actually helped the value of his 2020 cards because he wasn't just another "prospect" when they dropped—he was already a proven MLB starter with a nasty curveball.
The 2020 Flagship Problem
Most people jump straight to the 2020 Topps Zac Gallen #207. It’s the standard. The "true" rookie.
You'll find this in Series 1, and honestly, it’s the bedrock of any Gallen collection. But here’s the kicker: because it’s a base card from a massive print run, the raw value is pretty low. You can snag one for a few bucks. If you want real skin in the game, you look for the parallels.
👉 See also: Is the New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 Running Shoe Still the King of Comfort?
- Gold Foil: These are exclusive to Jumbo boxes. They look way better than the base.
- Rainbow Foil: High pop, but still a classic "shiny" upgrade.
- Gold Parallel: These are numbered to /2020. They’re getting harder to find in PSA 10 because the black borders on the 2020 design show every tiny chip.
I've seen the Gold parallels move for around $30-$50 lately depending on the grade. It’s a solid "middle class" card for a guy who has anchored the D-backs rotation for years.
Why Topps Chrome is the Real King
If you're serious, you're buying Chrome. Specifically, the 2020 Topps Chrome Zac Gallen #132.
Chrome is just more durable. The stock is thicker. The surface doesn't scratch if you look at it funny like the paper Series 1 does. A standard Refractor is the "safe" investment, but if you want the "holy grail," you're looking for the 2020 Topps Chrome Rookie Autograph #RA-ZG.
Prices on these fluctuate wildly. A base Chrome auto might set you back $80 to $100. But if you start talking about the Red Refractors (/5) or Orange Refractors (/25), you’re in the thousand-dollar territory. One of those Red Refractors recently hit the market for a hair under $1,000.
The Cards Everyone Overlooks
Don't sleep on the "weird" sets. Everyone wants the flagship stuff, but some of the best looking Zac Gallen rookie card options are in the niche releases.
- 2020 Topps Stadium Club #262: The photography in Stadium Club is always superior. Gallen’s card in this set is a beautiful action shot. The Chrome version of this (Stadium Club Chrome) is a sleeper.
- 2020 Topps Heritage #93: This uses the 1971 design. It’s a "Rookie Stars" card where he shares the front with Alex Young. It’s a bit of a bummer that he has to share the spotlight, but Heritage purists love the vintage feel.
- 2020 Topps Sapphire: This is the high-end version of the base Chrome. The "cracked ice" look is unmistakable. A PSA 10 Sapphire base card #207 usually commands over $100 easily.
Investment or Hobby?
Look, pitchers are risky. One "pop" in the elbow and the market craters. We’ve seen it a hundred times.
But Gallen isn't a flame-thrower who relies on 102 mph heat. He’s a tactician. He uses a five-pitch mix and relies on a curveball that creates some of the highest whiff rates in the league. That kind of profile usually ages well.
He finished the 2025 season with 66 career wins and over 1,000 strikeouts. He’s consistently putting up 180+ innings a year. In a world where starters go five innings and head to the showers, Gallen is a dinosaur. Collectors value that durability.
The "First Bowman" Factor
Technically, his first major card isn't a 2020. It's the 2016 Panini Elite Extra Edition #114. He’s in his college uniform (UNC).
He also has 2020 Bowman #75. While the 2020 Bowman is technically a rookie year card, collectors usually treat "1st Bowman" cards as the true prospect gold. Since Gallen didn't have a 1st Bowman Chrome card during his time in the minors with the Cardinals or Marlins, his 2020 Topps Chrome is effectively treated with that same level of respect.
What to look for when buying
If you're hunting on eBay or at a card show, watch the centering. The 2020 Topps design has those thin borders. If it's shifted even a millimeter to the left or right, it's not getting a PSA 10.
Also, check the corners on the paper Series 1 cards. The 2020 set had notoriously "soft" corners right out of the pack. If you find a "Black" parallel numbered to /69, check the edges. The black ink shows every white speck of paper.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
- Target the Chrome Refractor: It's the perfect balance of "premium" and "affordable."
- Avoid "Pro Debut" or "Opening Day" unless you just like the look. They don't hold value compared to Flagship or Chrome.
- Watch the Cy Young race: If Gallen starts a season 5-0 with a sub-2.00 ERA, that's your window to sell if you're looking for profit.
- Check COMC for parallels: Often, you can find the lower-tier parallels (Pink, Sepia, Prism) for under $10. These are great for "bulk" investing.
Gallen is a cornerstone of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As long as he's leading that rotation and putting up 200-strikeout seasons, the Zac Gallen rookie card market is going to remain one of the most stable for active pitchers. It's not as flashy as a Shohei Ohtani or a Paul Skenes, but it’s a blue-chip play in the hobby.
Keep an eye on the 2020 Topps Chrome Black too. Those were a late-year release and the "Gold" refractors /50 are some of the most stunning cards of his entire rookie run. They currently move for around $300, which is a steal for a serial-numbered rookie auto of an All-MLB First Team pitcher.