In the early stages of his baseball career, Julio Rodriguez Rookie Card interest was high in the baseball card hobby, with all the hype surrounding him, as well as interest in his earlier released prospect cards, which go back as far as 2017.
The best Julio Rodriguez card is his 2019 Bowman Chrome Autograph card, and the Refractor parallels are his most expensive cards; A Red Refractor version (/5) sold for $276k in 2022.
When it comes to J Rod’s rookie card and prospect card lineup, there are plenty of different options. The list below takes a look at the best picks from his rookies, and some of his prospect cards from the years prior to his MLB debut, listed in no particular order.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary - Top 3 Picks
The Best Julio Rodriguez Rookie Cards
2021 Bowman’s Best Julio Rodriguez #49
Traditionally in the baseball card hobby, rookie cards are defined as being the first year releases that are included in mainstream base sets – For many years, baseball players have been left out of base sets until they made an MLB roster; Prospect cards are usually included as part of separately numbered insert sets.
2021 Bowman’s Best was a bit of a curveball to the traditional way of doing things, because current MLB players were featured alongside prospects in the base set numbering, meaning this is technically Julio Rodriguez’s only true rookie card.
A good deal of collectors still consider the 2022 Rodriguez releases, which include the RC logo, as rookies cards as well – It depends on how strict you want to be with your personal definition of what makes a rookie card.
This one has multiple parallel options, as well as an autograph option in the set.
2022 Bowman Chrome Julio Rodriguez #48
Bowman Chrome cards are some of the most sought-after for primary baseball rookie cards.
This 2022 Bowman Chrome Julio Rodriguez card is one of his key rookies – The base cards don’t tend to hold big values, but there are numerous, more limited, parallels for collectors who want a slightly harder and more valuable chase.
2022 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Edition Julio Rodriguez #48
The 2022 Bowman Chrome Sapphire set adds a premium touch to the regular Bowman Chrome set, with the addition of the shiny Sapphire colored finish.
This one is more expensive to buy than Julio’s regular Bowman Chrome card, and it features a different image.
The big value is found in the short print image variation version, which features another different image of Rodriguez; The parallels are among his most valuable unsigned rookie cards.
Both cards have their own set of parallel versions; A PSA 10 graded copy of the image variation Red parallel sold for $10.2k, back in 2023.
2022 Topps Series 2 Short Print Variations Julio Rodriguez #659
One of the most popular J Rod rookie cards comes from the flagship baseball product. This short-printed Rodriguez card was released in 2022 Topps Series 2 packs, and holds high value.
Despite the expectation among collectors for Julio Rodriguez to be included in the main set, following his opening day MLB debut, he was included as a short print variation, sharing the base set numbering with LaMonte Wade Jr.
2022 Topps Complete Factory Set Julio Rodriguez #659
For a more affordable Topps option, the 2022 Topps factory sets included a different Julio Rodriguez card, with the same number – It was found as a bonus in all the sets, so it’s not rare, and it’s very affordable.
2022 Topps Chrome Short Print Extended Base Julio Rodriguez #222
Rodriguez wasn’t included in the main set of 2022 Topps Chrome, but was part of a 5 player extended base list – So, collectors have this short print card as an option from the popular brand, although it’s quite rare, and one of the best unsigned Rodriguez rookies.
This short print holds a lot more value than a standard Topps Chrome base card, because it’s not as easy to find.
There are a couple of parallels for this one, which hold more value.
There’s also a hard-signed Rookie Autographs card from the set, with its own array of parallels, for collectors with a bigger budget, who want a more premium option.
2022 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition Julio Rodriguez #67
2022 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition offers collectors a slightly more premium version of the flagship Topps cards.
Julio Rodriguez was one of a few additions in the Sapphire checklist from the original line up.
There are seven low-numbered, and more valuable, parallels to look out for as well. He also has a similar base Sapphire Edition card in the 2022 Topps Chrome Update set.
2022 Topps Chrome Update Sapphire Edition Rookie Autographs Julio Rodriguez #JR
The 2022 Topps Chrome Update Sapphire Edition Rookie Autographs card offers collectors a high-value Julio Rodriguez rookie card – It’s one of his best early baseball cards.
The on-card signature is the big appeal, plus the base copy is limited to only 25 copies – Those factors help make it so popular and valuable .
The Refractor parallel versions are among Rodriguez’s most expensive cards; In 2023, the elusive 1-of-1 Superfractor parallel (pictured above) sold for $57.6k, graded PSA 10.
2022 Topps Museum Collection Julio Rodriguez #65
The 2022 Topps Museum Collection Julio Rodrieguez rookie card provides a more premium option to collectors, which is accompanied by a few parallels, and autograph cards.
2022 Panini Flawless Julio Rodriguez #48
The premium Panini Flawless set continued the embedded gem style that we’re used to seeing for base cards, in the 2022 set. This is one of the rarest Julio Rodriguez rookie cards, numbered to just 20 copies, and it’s a premium option.
The big appeal is the embedded diamonds and low print run, which make this a high-value Rodriguez rookie card.
There are a few lower-numbered parallels, for an even harder chase.
2022 Topps Series 2 1987 Topps Baseball Autographs Julio Rodriguez #87BA-JRO
The first Julio Rodriguez autograph available in packs, following his MLB debut, was this hard-signed 2022 Topps Series 2, which is fashioned after the 1987 Topps Baseball card design.
There are a few parallel options for this one as well.
2022 Topps Definitive Collection Julio Rodriguez Autograph #DRA-JRO
A high-end autograph option is this 2022 Topps Definitive card, which has big appeal, and a high value.
The base card has just 50 numbered copies, and even with the addition of the three parallels, there are still only a total of 86 cards, so it’s not easy to find.
2022 Topps Diamond Icons Julio Rodriguez Autograph #AC-JRO
Another premium option, which is on the high-end of baseball cards, is Topps diamond Icons, which includes this Julio Rodriguez autograph rookie card in the 2022 set.
It’s a desirable option, which requires a bigger budget – Limited to just 25 numbered copies of the base card, it’s rare and highly-valuable. There are also three low-numbered parallels, which takes the total card number to 41.
The Best Julio Rodriguez Prospect Cards
2019 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Julio Rodriguez #CPAJRO
As with most modern baseball players, Julio Rodriguez’s first Bowman Chrome autograph card is the apex of all his cards, and the most valuable. It’s my favorite, and most collectors will agree.
Found in 2019 Bowman Baseball, this is his first autographed card in a MLB uniform, which also has the added allure of coming under the popular Bowman Chrome brand.
This hard-signed blockbuster of a card is accompanied by a large selection of different Refractor parallels, and the lowest-numbered options are Julio Rodriguez’s most expensive baseball cards ever.
In 2022, a BGS 9.5 graded copy of the Red Refractor parallel (/5) sold for $276k. A 1-of-1 Superfractor version also exists.
2019 Bowman Chrome Prospects Julio Rodriguez #BCP33
The autographed 2019 Bowman Chrome rookie card is not attainable for everyone, because of the price it commands.
This standard, unsigned, 2019 Bowman Chrome prospect card offers a cheaper alternative, which is virtually identical apart from the signature.
Although it’s a prospect insert card, this one is treated like a rookie card by many.
More value can be found in the array of different Refractor parallels, which add color, and varying levels of scarcity; These are among his most expensive baseball cards.
2017 Panini Contenders International Ticket Autographs Julio Rodriguez #3
The very first Julio Rodriguez prospect cards came in 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks.
It has the trademark Contenders ticket theme design, and features Rodriguez as an international prospect from the Dominican Republic, with no mention of Seattle, which might be appealing to some.
It offers a cheaper autograph alternative to the first Bowman Chrome auto card.
There are multiple parallels for this one.
2017 Elite Extra Edition Autographs Julio Rodriguez #136
One of Julio Rodriguez’s earliest cards dates back to 2017, with this autograph card from Elite Extra Edition – It offers a premium option, and an early Rodriguez signature, with over a dozen parallels.
There is an unsigned base card from the set as well, numbered to 999 copies, for collectors looking for one of his earliest prospect cards, at a much lower price than the auto.
2019 Bowman’s Best Best of 2019 Autographs Julio Rodriguez #B19JR
This Best of 2019 auto Julio Rodriguez prospect card, released in the Bowman’s Best set, offers collectors another MLB card with an on-card signature, like the Bowman Chrome card, but at a much lower price.
It makes for a good alternative for those who haven’t got the budget for the apex Bowman Chrome autograph card.
There are multiple Refractor parallels, which add color and value, for this one.
When Was Julio Rodriguez’s Rookie Season?
Julio Rodriguez debuted in Major League Baseball during the 2022 season, with the Seattle Mariners.
What Is The Most Valuable Julio Rodriguez Baseball Card?
The most valuable and expensive Julio Rodriguez baseball card is his 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs card.
The base version is expensive itself, but the low-numbered Refractor parallels are worth the most; A copy of the Red Refractor parallel has sold for as much as $276k before.
Julio Rodriguez: A Background
Rodriguez arrived in Seattle as one of the most anticipated baseball prospects of all time, after signing with the Mariners in 2017, aged 16. After impressing fans during his rise through the minor leagues, he made Seattle’s Opening Day MLB roster in 2022.
With comparisons to the great Ken Griffey Jr. he had a lot of excitement surrounding him, and it didn’t take him long to settle into Major League Baseball – He went on to win the AL Rookie of the Year award, at the end of his debut season, and was an All-Star.
