The 2018 Bowman Chrome baseball card set is one of the more popular modern release in the hobby due to its shiny refractors and prospect selection. While the base cards have relatively modest values, the parallels and autographs from this set can be quite valuable for investors and collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top rookies and prospects from 2018 Bowman Chrome and how their card values have fluctuated over time.
One of the most coveted rookies from 2018 Bowman Chrome is Juan Soto. As a consensus top prospect heading into that season, Soto did not disappoint by winning the National League Rookie of the Year award. His chrome base card can be found for under $10, but the parallels and autographs command much higher prices. The Soto Prismatic Refractor (#172) regularly sells for $100-200 raw, while a on-card auto fetches $500-1000 depending on the parallel. With Soto still being just 21 years old and considered a future superstar, these prices are likely to continue climbing over the long run.
Another top 2018 rookie who has seen his cards appreciate is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. While he did not make his MLB debut until 2019, Guerrero was probably the most buzzed about Blue Jays prospect in years. The Guerrero Jr. base chrome sells for $15-25 but his Prismatic Refractor (#189) recently brought in over $600 at auction. Autographs range from $300-1000 based on the parallel. With Guerrero looking like a perennial All-Star already, his cards should hold strong investment value moving forward.
Two other 2018 Bowman Chrome rookies that appeared in the majors in their debut seasons and showed promise are Eloy Jimenez and Shane Bieber. Jimenez smashed 31 home runs as a rookie in 2019 for the White Sox and has become a fan favorite on the South Side. His base card goes for $10-15 but Prismatic Refractors hit $150-250. Autographed cards vary from $200-600. Bieber burst onto the scene by winning the AL Cy Young award in 2020 after posting a stellar 1.63 ERA. While not quite the name recognition of some others, Bieber’s talent is undeniable and his base is $8-12 with autos at $150-350.
Beyond the rookie phenoms, there are also many top prospects from 2018 Bowman Chrome who have yet to debut but possess sky-high ceilings. Wander Franco continues to be the cream of the crop as the consensus #1 prospect in baseball playing for the Rays. Due to his extreme hype, even his base chrome exceeds $20-30 with color parallels reaching $300-700 raw. On-card autos command at least $1000-2000 each. Another highly regarded but still pre-debut talent is UCLA standout Jarred Kelenic, who was acquired by the Mets in the Robinson Cano deal. Kelenic’s cards have recently cooled off some from record highs, but his autos still pull in $400-700 on average.
While not all prospects from 2018 Bowman Chrome panned out, there are still prospects in the pipeline who could emerge as future superstars. Players like Jo Adell with the Angels, Nolan Gorman of the Cardinals, and Andrew Vaughn on the White Sox all hold promise. Their current card values are pretty modest, but savvy collectors are snapping up their autographs and color parallels for under $100 now in anticipation of future success. The fun of these Bowman Chrome releases is identifying the future stars still in the minors.
While the 2018 Bowman Chrome base cards themselves have somewhat plateaued value-wise, the parallel refractors and autographs of the top rookies and prospects from that year continue appreciating due to proven on-field success and future potential. Savvy investors are securing affordable color parallels and autos now of still unproven talents like Gorman, Adell, and Vaughn. The exciting rookies of Soto, Guerrero Jr., and Jimenez make their prized refractors and autographs true keepers. With such a wealth of talent featured, 2018 Bowman Chrome ensures its legacy as one of the great modern prospect sets.
