Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entered 2019 as one of baseball’s top prospects, and collectors were keen for some rookie card releases to get their hands on.
Many collectors will agree that the 2016 Bowman Chrome Prospect autograph card is the best Vladimir Guerrero Jr card to have; It would be my pick as his top card.
I’ve covered that card, and the other best Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie cards, and prospect cards, including a variety of price points and rarity.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary - Top 3 Picks
The Best Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rookie Cards
Guerrero Jr’s rookies were available in various baseball card products, soon after his MLB debut, in 2019.
Here’s a look at all the top options:
2019 Topps Chrome Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #201
Starting with one of the most popular Vladimir Guerrero Jr. base rookie cards, the 2019 Topps Chrome card.
The card comes with a wide array of Refractor parallels for collectors to consider.
There’s also the hard-signed autograph card from the set, which has big appeal.
2019 Panini Flawless Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #58 & #63
A high-end entry into the best Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie cards comes from the 2019 Panini Flawless set, which features two different base cards.
Both base cards include an embedded diamond gem, and are super-rare, with print-runs of just 20 copies each.
There are also a few low-numbered parallels for an even harder, and more expensive chase.
2019 Donruss Optic Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #64
2019 Donruss Optic takes the standard base Donruss rookie card, and adds chrome.
It does actually feature a different image to the regular Donruss Rated Rookie card. It’s a nice affordable chrome option for collectors, with the Rated Rookie brand appeal.
There’s also a large parallel rainbow, including some low-numbered, for collectors who want something a bit tougher to find, and more valuable than the base card.
2019 Bowman Chrome Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #73
Another option for those seeking an affordable chrome Guerrero Jr. rookie card comes from 2019 Bowman Chrome, which is quite popular, and another that is accompanied by some appealing Refractor parallels.
In 2022, the 1-of-1 Superfractor parallel version sold for $14.4k.
2019 Topps Finest Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #101
The first MLB Vladimir Guerrero Jr. base rookie card found in packs came from 2019 Topps Finest.
He was a late addition to the set, and shares card numbering with Yusei Kikuchi, and while it does have a slightly shorter print than other base cards from the set, it’s not overly rare.
There are also no Refractor parallels of his base card, like there are with other base cards in the set. He does, however, have an appealing autograph card in 2019 Finest.
2019 Topps Series 2 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #NNO
2019 Topps Series 2 gave Vladimir Guerrero Jr. his first rookie card from the flagship product.
A short-print, that some consider a variation, but it doesn’t replace a card in the base set – It’s a bit murky when defining this one as a traditional rookie card.
It’s not a rare card, but it’s popular and sought-after. It also comes with multiple parallel options for collectors to think about.
2019 Bowman Heritage Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #53VR-26
The 2019 Bowman Heritage Vladimir Guerrero Jr. card was part of an online-only release, and a throwback to the 1953 Bowman cards design, offering collectors something a bit different.
A reasonably priced option, which isn’t as readily available and accessible as many of his other rookies.
2019 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #340
One of the most valuable and popular Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie cards is the 2019 Topps Chrome Sapphire card.
For me, this is Guerrero Jr’s best unsigned rookie card.
Part of a limited online-exclusive release, it’s a good option for collectors who want a nice looking, shinier chrome card.
There are a few very limited parallels as well, for an even tougher, and more expensive, find.
The coveted 1-of-1 Superfractor parallel sold for $54.2k in 2021, graded BGS 9.5, which makes it one of his most valuable baseball cards.
The Best Autographed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rookie Cards
2019 Panini Prizm Rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Auto #RA-VG
He doesn’t feature in the base 2019 Panini Prizm set, but Guerrero Jr. does have this rookie autograph card.
The signature gives it appeal, from a well-known and popular brand, although a hard-signed autograph would be more desirable.
There are also Prizm parallels for this card, which are quite popular.
2019 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition Rookie Autographs #VGJ
This Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition Rookie Autographs card is, in my opinion, the top Guerrero card from his rookie year.
The Topps Chrome brand is always popular among baseball collectors, and the addition of an on-card signature is a premium upgrade from the regular Sapphire Edition rookie.
Like with most cards on this list, the array of Refractor parallels offer extra layers of color, rarity and value; The low-numbered parallel options are among his most expensive baseball cards to buy.
Back in 2022, a PSA 10 graded copy of the Red Refractor (/5) sold for $54k.
2019 Topps Diamond Icons Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Auto #AC-VGJ
One of the earliest autographed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie cards comes from 2019 Topps Diamond Icons.
It’s a super-rare auto option, numbered to just 25 copies, with a few parallels, taking the total number of cards to 41, so not an easy one for collectors to get hold of.
2019 Panini Immaculate Collection Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Autograph Patch #20
Next on the list of the best Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookies, is a very high-end entry from 2019 Panini Immaculate.
His first RC to have both a hard-signed autograph, and patch swatch. It’s limited and numbered to 99 copies as well, with multiple parallels.
This one is a nice option, which isn’t accessible to many, because of its scarcity.
2019 Panini National Treasures Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Autograph Patch #29
Staying with super-premium RPAs, the 2019 Panini National Treasures card is arguably the king.
It’s a well-established and popular premium sports card brand, the NT RPAs are known for jumbo patch pieces, on-card signatures, and low print runs – This Guerrero Jr. RPA is no different.
A very desirable, classy, and valuable product, which is accompanied by some parallel options, like the one pictured above.
The Top Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Prospect Cards
The son of the Hall of Famer, Vladimir Guerrero, quickly gained attention after signing for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 – By 2017, interest in his cards really picked up steam, as he was showing huge potential.
Guerrero Jr.’s first prospect cards came in 2015, and some very popular releases in 2016 Bowman sets.
Here’s a look at the top picks:
2016 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autograph Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #CPA-VG
Many will say this is the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to own. If you have no budget restriction, I would recommend this as the Guerrero Jr card to buy.
There’s no better card, or more key, than this 2016 Bowman Chrome prospect autograph card; It’s his most valuable baseball card, which is unsurprising, because a modern player’s first Bowman Chrome auto usually is.
The most popular brand for prospects in the baseball card hobby, mixed with the fact it’s his first autograph card in a MLB uniform, it’s produced some huge sales on the secondary market in the past.
There are an array of parallels, with some very desirable low-numbered options, which naturally hold the most value.
A BGS 10 graded copy of the Red Refractor parallel (/5) sold for $552k in 2022.
The unsigned version is a good, cheaper alternative to this expensive autograph option.
2016 Bowman's Best of 2016 Autographs Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #B16-VG
The 2016 Bowman Chrome auto prospect card is too expensive for many collectors – This Bowman’s Best of 2016 auto card offers a good alternative, which can be picked up for a lot less.
Still with an on-card signature, and MLB imagery, it’s perhaps an undervalued card in comparison; Evidence that a card’s brand can have a big influence on its perceived value and desirability.
2018 Donruss Optic Rated Prospect Signatures Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #VG
The 2018 Donruss Optic set offers this Rated Prospect Signatures Guerrero Jr. card, which is a subsidiary of the popular Rated Rookie line.
The on-card signature is an appealing feature of the card, and there are multiple parallels for collectors to chase as well.
2018 Flawless Patch Autograph Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #PA-VGJ
An early entry of a high-end Vladimir Guerrero Jr. card came in 2018 Panini Flawless.
The classy design features a hard-signed autograph and patch swatch, numbered to just 25 copies, making for a very rare and premium option.
The lack of MLB logos is maybe a negative for some, but a great card to get, if you can find one.
When Was Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Rookie Season?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Rookie Season was the 2019 MLB season, with the Toronto Blue Jays.
What Is The Most Valuable Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Baseball Card?
The most expensive and valuable Guerrero Jr baseball card ever released is his 2016 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs card.
The signature and card’s brand both contribute to the high value; A modern player’s first Bowman Chrome autograph is usually the grail, and it’s no different for Guerrero Jr.
The low-numbered parallels are the most expensive versions – A copy of the Red Refractor, which has only 5 numbered copies, has sold for as much as $552k in the past.
What Is The Rarest Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Base Rookie Card?
The two 2019 Panini Flawless base diamond Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rookie cards (#58 & #63) are his rarest base rookie cards, with just 20 copies each.
