Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rookie Card Market Guide

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. comes from a background of baseball royalty. He is already impressing on the field, but are his rookie cards worth anything? Our guide will show you some of the best Guerrero Jr. rookie cards to buy and will give you in-depth information about their values.

Who Is Vladimir Guerrero Jr.?

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has baseball in his blood, with multiple big leaguers in his family. His father is Vladimir Guerrero, a nine-time All-Star who became a Hall of Famer in 2018. His uncle was also a Major League player, so there were high hopes for him even before he set foot on the field. When the Toronto Blue Jays signed him at 16, he was 4th on MLB's Top 30 Prospects list.

In the season before his Major League debut, he was named Minor League player of the year. In 2019, he started for the Blue Jays and earned several accolades. He finished first in hits with 126 and tied for first in doubles with 26. Although he finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting, he was still named to Baseball America's All-Rookie Team.

His performance in the 2020 season was equally impressive. Guerrero Jr. was one of only 15 players to play in all 60 games. By the end of the season, he was the youngest player in the team's history to reach 100 runs batted in (RBI). With such a promising start, and such an impressive family tree of MLB players, fans likely expect a long and successful career from Guerrero Jr.

What Makes Vladimir Guerrero Jr's Cards So Valuable?

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. comes from a family of MLB stars, and his father was a Hall of Famer. This kind of legacy means that he was already on fans' radars from a young age. His performance in the early seasons lived up to expectations, and although he didn't have the most successful rookie season, he looks set to have an excellent career. He is already considered one of MLB's best active hitters and is still young at only 24 years old.

Continued development could see him joining his father in the Hall of Fame. The rookie cards of exciting players like this tend to attract the interest of collectors. Guerrero Jr. is also known for being a personable player. Although their record on the field is the most important thing, a likable personality can make a player's cards even more desirable.

Investment Potential

If Vladimir Guerrero Jr. follows in his father's footsteps, there is a good chance that his rookie cards may increase in value. But at the moment, they are affordable. Although some expensive autographed cards are available, many high-quality cards are easy to find and won't cost too much. They may be an excellent investment if you can get in early and pick up some cheap cards before the value increases as Guerrero Jr.'s career progresses.

Flagship cards from base sets are a sensible option as they are low risk. They are very affordable, and if Guerrero Jr. remains popular, these cards make up the core of any collector's set. The more expensive parallels and premium cards also have the potential to increase in value and give you a higher return. But the risk is higher because prices are already relatively high.

Best Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rookie Cards

2019 Topps Chrome #201 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Gold Refractor ($6,699)

Topps Chrome is an iconic set with high-quality cards. If you are building a collection of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie cards, his card from the 2019 Topps Chrome set is one of the staples to look for. It is arguably the best base card from his rookie year, and Topps Chrome tends to maintain its value because collectors like the striking design and flashy foil backing. The standard version of this card is only valued at around $40 or $50, if it is in Mint condition.

PriceGuide.Cards has records of it selling for over $200, so it may give you a good return under the right circumstances. The value has not increased much since the card was released, but it has still grown.

If you want high-value cards, there are remarkable parallels to hunt for. The Blue Refractor Parallel is valuable but still attainable, with a Mint condition value of $1,625. If this is too expensive, there are some affordable parallels, like the Pink Refractor, which is worth $137 in Mint condition.

However, serious investors looking for a premium card should watch out for the Gold Refractor Parallel. It is worth up to $6,699 in Mint condition and can sell for around $2,500 in less-than-Mint condition. This is one of the most expensive Guerrero Jr. rookie cards but typically, rare parallels like this increase in value over time, so it's suitable for investors if you can find it for the right price.

2019 Panini National Treasures Material Signatures #29 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #'d/99 ($3,505)

The 2019 Panini National Treasures Material Signatures set features a few top rookies, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. It has a vibrant design and large signature on the front and a panel on the back displaying more of the patch. It is numbered to only 99, so more available than the 2018 Panini Flawless Rookie Patch but still exclusive. The unique design and rarity mean that this card may hold its value well.

The average price has climbed since this card was released. In 2019, PriceGuide.Cards listed the value at roughly $100. However, the sale price varied considerably; the highest sale recorded that year was just under $1,500. By 2022, the average value increased to $225 and garnered a top sale of $3,505. If you are an investor, recent sales data suggests that you may see a healthy return on this card in the future.

2018 Panini Flawless Rookie Patch Autographs #31 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #'d/25 ($3,149)

Patch autograph cards are excellent high-end options for investors and collectors. The material patch adds more interest and exclusivity to the card design, and autographs usually make the cards more desirable. The Panini Flawless Rookie Patch Autograph Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie card was one of the first premium cards to be released, and it doesn't disappoint. It has a large patch, a great action shot and a clear signature. It is only numbered to 25, so it is scarce, and the value reflects that.

Initially, this card was cheap, considering its exclusivity. In 2018 and 2019, the average value of a graded card was around $180. In 2021, some big sales caused the average price to jump to just under $3,000, but it dropped the following year and now sits at around $800. Although the price has shifted in recent years, general trends suggest that this card is gaining value, which was proven when in sold for $3,149 in 2021. Premium cards like this tend to do well, so this may be a good choice for investors.

2019 Bowman Chrome #73 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Green Refractor #'d/99 ($860)

The 2019 Bowman Chrome Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a brilliant choice if you want a rookie card with an elaborate design without a high price tag. This rookie card features an action shot of Guerrero Jr. throwing the baseball with a shiny backing. You can find the standard version for $35 in perfect condition. In less-than-Mint condition, the value drops to around $30, and it's easy to find.

The parallels are likely more attractive for investors as they are worth more, and there are many to choose from. The Green Refractor Parallel, limited to 99 copies, is valued at just under $300 in near-Mint condition. Yet, a perfect example could sell for upward of $860. According to PriceGuide.Cards, this parallel was worth $200 in 2019; by 2022, the average price was almost $700.

The base Bowman Chrome Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie card is a cheap card and could be a safe bet for investors. Those interested in high-value cards have lots of interesting parallels to collect too. The Green Refractor Parallel is one of the best because it has potential but is still affordable.

2019 Bowman Platinum #27 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($157)

This rookie card is officially listed as a short print. It was issued to replace Dakota Hudson in the base Bowman Platinum set, which was only available at Walmart. It is an interesting card because even though it is a short print and the purchase of the set was limited, it's still easy to find. So, you have an exclusive card that is attainable.

The base version is valued at around $56 by SportsCardsPro and has become more expensive since it was first issued. PriceGuide.Cards shows prices increasing between 2019 and 2022, with a top sale of $157. This is another card with lots more valuable parallels for investors and collectors, but the base version is a great cheap option for investors.

2019 Topps Complete Set (Target Chrome Variation) #700 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($140)

The flagship Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie card is in the 2019 Topps Complete set. It's a basic card that isn't expensive but has grown in value since it was issued. There are two variations in the standard set; one with an image of Guerrero Jr. batting and a retail-exclusive with him fielding.

This affordable card is only valued at $30 in Mint condition and $25 in near-Mint condition. There is not much difference in price between the two variations either. In Mint condition, the fielding variation is also worth around $30. Sales data on PriceGuide.Cards shows that the value doubled between 2019 and 2021, so investors may see an increase in value if they hold onto the card. That said, it's not an expensive card to begin with, so don't expect a huge return.

If you want a more valuable card, there is an excellent Chrome variation only found in Target sets. It features a different fielding image and the shiny backing you expect to see on Topps Chrome cards. A Mint condition card will sell for up to $140 and is still worth around $100 in near-Mint condition.

2019 Topps Heritage #504 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($30)

Topps Heritage is a fun set that features a mix of legendary players and current stars. The cards themselves emulate the classic design from the 1973 set. The retro style of this Guerrero Jr. rookie card makes a change from the flashier designs of other cards. It is not especially valuable but makes a good addition to your collection as it stands out from the rest of his rookie cards.

You can expect to pay around $30 for this card if it is in good condition. The price moves a lot for this one, but if you keep a close eye on the value and resell it at the right time, you could see a decent return. It's also a cheap card, so the risk is relatively low.

Where Can I Purchase Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rookie Cards?

Once you have decided which Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie cards you are interested in, you can search for the best deals. There are several places to buy rookie cards, but online auction sites are the best option. Although you can sometimes find them in specialist hobby shops or from collectors at conventions, it can be tough to find the specific rookie card you are looking for. Online auction sites allow you to search for cards easily. The best ones to try include:

• eBay
• EBTH
• Goldin
• Sotheby's
• Christie's
• SCP Auctions
• Invaluable
• PWCC
• Memory Lane
• Pristine Auction
• Lelands
• Robert Edward Auctions
• Heritage Auctions

Before buying any cards, use SportsCardsPro and PriceGuide.Cards to check the value and determine if you are getting a reasonable price. Only buy from reputable sites that you recognize too.

How Are Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rookie Cards Graded?

You should only buy a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie card if it has been graded by a professional body like Certified Sports Guaranty (CSG). The grading process determines the card's condition, which can affect its value. Cards are assessed according to four criteria:

• The sharpness of the corners
• Centering of the image
• The condition of the edges
• Clarity of the card's surface

The card gets a score out of 10 for each criterion, which is averaged to give an overall grade. A card that scores perfectly across the board is awarded a perfect 10. Cards in this condition could be worth a lot more. Near-Mint cards score a 9 or 10, and cards with slight wear and tear can still score well. But the grade will drop if there is noticeable damage like dings or ripped corners, dented edges and scratches on the surface. Graded cards are encased in a protective plastic slab. This is specially designed to maintain the condition of the card, and the materials have been chosen to give optimum clarity and display the fine details of the card.

Conclusion

A Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie card could be a brilliant investment. At the moment, many excellent cards are selling for low prices. It could be worth picking some up to add to your collection because they are low-risk, and he is a popular player, so there is a strong chance they will increase in value. Consider rare parallels or autographed patch cards if you want to invest more and hedge your bets.

Additionally, professional grading can give your card collection an established recognition of its quality and authenticity. With grading, certified experts will assess each card for its originality and condition and record the grade in an international database. This provides a permanent record of your card's condition and quality, which can be extremely helpful if you ever plan to sell or trade your cards.

If you're not planning to sell, you may donate your cards one day or bequeath them to friends or family members. Whether you keep your cards, donate them or leave them to your loved ones, having them graded can give them an authenticity and quality rating that they'll retain for generations to come. For further information on CSG's 10-point Grading Scale and to find out more about our industry-leading services, visit CSGcards.com.

*Any mention of "investment potential" is for entertainment only and should not be construed as investment advice. The Certified Collectibles Group does not provide investment advice and is not liable for any buy, sell or trade decisions made by any parties.