Advice on Modern Rookie Cards 2000-2019

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

Interesting. I haven't followed 2000's rookies closely in, oh, about 19 years.

What do they call the Bowman's that appear before other RCs? The example I often see is Joey Votto, who's Bowman card pre-dates his next RC by something absurd like 5-6 years.

Prospect cards I think.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I appreciate all of the input so far, guys. I have to agree that probably the most confusing thing these days is that Beckett designates each player’s rookie card year, I think, based on their appearing in a major league uniform/roster. Thus, many players have “prospect” or “team USA” cards one or more years prior to the official rookie year designation. The same holds true for inserts, refractors, subsets, autos, etc. which do not get the rookie card designation either unless in a major league uniform by that point. So I guess the biggest question is, which is more desirable to own, the “rookie card” or the “earliest card” of the player. They used to be the same but now the waters seem to be very muddy.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

I appreciate all of the input so far, guys. I have to agree that probably the most confusing thing these days is that Beckett designates each player’s rookie card year, I think, based on their appearing in a major league uniform/roster. Thus, many players have “prospect” or “team USA” cards one or more years prior to the official rookie year designation. The same holds true for inserts, refractors, subsets, autos, etc. which do not get the rookie card designation either unless in a major league uniform by that point. So I guess the biggest question is, which is more desirable to own, the “rookie card” or the “earliest card” of the player. They used to be the same but now the waters seem to be very muddy.

I would stick to official rookie cards. I consider the prospect cards to be the equivalent of minor league cards even though they are from a major manufacturer. To me they're the same as, say, the 1992 Upper Deck Minor League Jeter for example.

The real confusion is the absolutely endless variety of cards even within the same sets. There are 10 or more, I think, variations of the Acuna Topps Update alone.

[RCMcKenzie]

Say you want to know what the rookie for Jose Altuve is...type "Jose Altuve RC" into the search box on ebay and sort by highest price first in sold/completed items. 2011 Bowman Sterling is the most expensive, followed by 2010 Bowman Chrome and 2011 Topps Update.


For Alex Bregman it's 2016 Bowman Chrome and down the line something called Topps Heritage.

I only follow the Houston players and have not bought a new card since 1998 Bowman Chrome or something like that. The cards are expensive unless you are talking about an unknown like Framber Valdez or someone like that. Happy collecting. Rob

[bcbgcbrcb]

Are the Bowman and Bowman Chrome usually the exact same set as far as player selection, just higher quality cards for the Chrome, thus, more expensive? Same thing for the Topps and Topps Chrome?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Are the Bowman and Bowman Chrome usually the exact same set as far as player selection, just higher quality cards for the Chrome, thus, more expensive? Same thing for the Topps and Topps Chrome?

Topps Chrome don't carry a premium as far as I know. I think they are some of the cheaper cards, for example of Acuna. Not like the old Bowman and Bowman Chrome of the 90s. I also think for Topps they are now different sets, but not totally sure. But I have seen a Topps Chrome Acuna that doesn't have a parallel in Topps.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

Say you want to know what the rookie for Jose Altuve is...type "Jose Altuve RC" into the search box on ebay and sort by highest price first in sold/completed items. 2011 Bowman Sterling is the most expensive, followed by 2010 Bowman Chrome and 2011 Topps Update.


For Alex Bregman it's 2016 Bowman Chrome and down the line something called Topps Heritage.

I only follow the Houston players and have not bought a new card since 1998 Bowman Chrome or something like that. The cards are expensive unless you are talking about an unknown like Framber Valdez or someone like that. Happy collecting. Rob

Despite the Beckett holder, I think the Sterling Altuve is a nice card.

[RCMcKenzie]

I agree. I don't care much for the 'chest-bump' Topps Update Altuve one, but you can find his base card for less than $50. I saw a Trout base card in psa 7 sell for $350 recently.

The experts on this stuff are on the Blowout Board. They have threads like "Carlos Correa pick-ups" where they show all their auto-patch limited # cards. It's all very confusing to me. It's really a different hobby than what I'm doing on here.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Agreed, Rob. It’s become more like a lottery chance than chipping away at a complete set, player collection, etc.

When all is said and done, I’m not sure that I am going to want to get into this modern stuff but asking questions is the best way for me to find out.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

Agreed, Rob. It’s become more like a lottery chance than chipping away at a complete set, player collection, etc.

When all is said and done, I’m not sure that I am going to want to get into this modern stuff but asking questions is the best way for me to find out.

For the most part I just buy base cards of rookies I want, or in a couple of cases the most basic variation. if I want to put a little more at risk You can easily navigate it. Another nice option for a vintage look just buy the Heritage base cards.