Advice on Modern Rookie Cards 2000-2019

[MrPosadas]

I collect modern rookies as well as older stuff but don’t get caught up in the multitude of card variations. I usually hunt down their first standard card and leave the other cards alone. PSA has a future HOF rookie set list that includes Bowman Best, Topps Chrome, and Upper Deck SP rookie cards but I don’t use it to guide my collection because I am happy collecting base rookie cards. It was the proliferation and manufactured scarcity that pushed me away from collecting in the 90s and when I got back into it I chose to focus only on base cards to keep my sanity.

[ALR-bishop]

For Topps, does base include the Update/Traded set ? That discussion has popped up in threads on set runs

The Cardinals gave up Jerry Ruess to get Scipio. It might have worked out well for the Cards but for Johnny Bench

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

For Topps, does base include the Update/Traded set ? That discussion has popped up in threads on set runs

The Cardinals gave up Jerry Ruess to get Scipio. It might have worked out well for the Cards but for Johnny Bench

I was using base to differentiate from all the parallels and variations, not from a set completion pov.

[ALR-bishop]

My Q was really to Ryan's post. Since 1994 I am just a base collector myself, but for Topps I include any Traded/ Update set. There are a few years when there was no Traded/Update sets. Based on prior threads many set collectors would not include such sets as base, but rather a new separate set. Like the definition of a variation there is no single right answer I guess.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

My Q was really to Ryan's post. Since 1994 I am just a base collector myself, but for Topps I include any Traded/ Update set. There are a few years when there was no Traded/Update sets. Based on prior threads many set collectors would not include such sets as base, but rather a new separate set. Like the definition of a variation there is no single right answer I guess.

Since the Update sets may contain rookies not found in the regular set I would think you have to have them.

[todeen]

I would say that you need to be cautious of price reduction if you are looking for investment purposes. I can remember Pujols and Ichiro rookies fetching outrageous prices. Then, when they got older and slowed down their production, their rookie card prices fell as well. Both are sure bet hall of famers. If I was trying to catch up my rookie card stash (I don't collect rookie cards), I would start in 2000 and work to present....rather than starting present and working backwards. I think you will find your retirement income will carry you farther.

As for the RC logo versus "Prospect Cards," I can remember when that change occurred. I believe it was MLB instituted to help rein in the card industry and the crazy variations and sets that were being created. People wanted a clarification of what was and what wasn't a RC, and this was the simplest way to make that designation. Joey Votto case in point.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Look at the countless varieties of Acuna rookies and tell me MLB did a good job of controlling this lol. Type 2018 Acuna into the PSA Pop Report baseball card search and it comes up with .... wait for it.... 914 results LOL.

[RCMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

For Topps, does base include the Update/Traded set ? That discussion has popped up in threads on set runs

The Cardinals gave up Jerry Ruess to get Scipio. It might have worked out well for the Cards but for Johnny Bench

I don't remember the Astros 1970 rookies, but I do remember "Rolls Reuss", I don't recall that being his nickname, but that's what my dad calls him.

The guy on the Altuve rookie is Dave Clark. He was the 3rd base coach at the time. I have a Clark game worn jersey that I wear to games sometimes. People think it's "Will Clark"....(not my cards, but I will be getting some modern cards soon b/c they are all over my eBay watchlist now...

[MVSNYC]

Good thread.

I'm a vintage collector (T206), but earlier this year I wanted to add some modern rookie cards, so I read up and asked some questions here on N54, and slowly picked up some nice PSA 10 cards...Funny, I never knew that about the "RC" on the cards, makes sense, and is helpful (although there's still too many choices). I also prefer Topps Update.


PS- Re: Aaron Judge, what's the concensious for his "best" (non-sig) RC to get?

[bcbgcbrcb]

Well, I gave it a shot today and picked up my first couple of modern rookie cards. After looking over a lot of stats from the past few seasons, I opted to do e-bay searches for Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor rookie cards. I ended up picking up what I believe to be the earliest issues for each, Betts was the 2013 Panini Prizm Draft Pick base card in a PSA 10 holder for $13.00 plus $3.50 shipping. For Lindor, I picked up a raw 2009-2010 Upper Deck Team USA Triple Jersey Relic card for $5.95 w/free shipping.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Not sure what your criteria were but you did not get the earliest Betts card.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-GRANDS...gAAOSwos1c5XbD

[bcbgcbrcb]

Thanks, Peter. I opted to stay away from the minor leagues produced sets, I believe that the one you mentioned was the only 2012 issue, am I correct?

[Zach Wheat]

Phil,

I focus on Bowman Chrome.

Bowman Chrome has been around since '97. I tend to collect Bowman Chrome specifically because of the rookie cards. Bowman notes a players first Bowman cards by putting a 1st on the card (Draft & Prospect). Bowman Chrome tends to slant more towards international players while Bowman 1st Draft & Propsects tends to slant more towards US Players.

[BruceinGa]

I sold all of my T205's and T206's and haven't been here much. I'm also liquidating many cards from the 50's through 80's.
Now I've decided to buy some modern Braves rookies. I've struggled making some sense of X-fractors, Refractors, Black, Septia, Prism and so forth.
From what I've seen Topps Chrome is one step up from the the base card, I don't look at Bowman or other brands, just Topps Chrome. I did buy 2 or 3 basic Topps but probably won't any more.
I would love to see someone post a complete list of variations along with production numbers.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by BruceinGa

I would love to see someone post a complete list of variations along with production numbers.

Changes every year. Best bet is to go to baseballcardpedia or one of the other checklisting sites to see what's rarest. That's one reason that the standard parallel colors (red /5, orange /25, gold /50, green /99 for Bowman Chrome) seem to remain the best ones over time.