Bobby Witt Jr. is one of the most highly anticipated prospects in recent baseball memory. As the number two overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals, Witt took the minor leagues by storm in his first full professional season in 2021. His electrifying play and star potential have already made his rookie cards some of the most sought after on the modern baseball card market.
Witt was considered a potential first overall pick coming out of high school, but slipped to number two where the Royals happily selected him. As an 18-year old in Low-A ball in 2019, Witt showed the promise that made him such a coveted prospect by batting .290 with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in just 58 games. It was his breakout 2021 campaign that really put Witt on the map and started to drive interest in his rookie cards.
Across three minor league levels in 2021, Witt batted an eye-popping .290 with 33 home runs and 82 RBI. He slugged .540 and showed off plus speed and defense at shortstop as well. Witt earned a late season promotion to the majors and got his first MLB taste, going 9 for 26 with two home runs in eight games. His incredible all-around season cemented his status as not just a top prospect, but a true blue chipper likely to be an impact MLB player very soon.
With Witt’s star rapidly rising, collectors took notice of his rookie cards. Some of his most sought after and valuable cards from recent years include his 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto Refractor card, numbered to just 5 copies in existence. Given Witt’s rarity and explosive 2021 season, mint condition examples of this ultra-short printed card have sold for upwards of $10,000. Another highly valuable Witt rookie is his 2019 Bowman Draft Chrome Green Auto, which is numbered to only 10 copies. Near mint examples have traded hands for $4,000-$6,000.
Witt’s main flagship rookie card comes from Topps’ 2021 Bowman Baseball release. The standard Topps Chrome rookie refractor parallel is one of the most common Witt rookie options available, but still holds value given his hype. Graded mint 9 examples can be acquired for $150-$250, while a true gem mint 10 tops $500. More elusive parallels like the Gold refractor (/50) and Rainbow foil (/5) command thousands. Witt also has an autographed Bowman Chrome variation that is one of his most iconic signatures as a rookie. Pristine auto examples are $500-800, with ungraded versions around $300.
Topps Chrome Update & High Tek also featured Witt rookies upon his September MLB call up. The Update Chrome rookie refractor remains under $100 even in top grades due to higher print runs. The parallel-heavy High Tek set provides some pricier options. Notable Witt cards include the Gold refractor (/50-$300), Rainbow foil (/5-$1,000), and 1/1 Green Auto parallel (valued over $2,000 in auctions when available). These short printed parallels highlight how Witt mania has collectors chasing even the rarest versions of his rookie season cards.
Bobby Witt Jr.’s star showed no signs of slowing in 2022 either. After starting the season back in Triple-A, he earned an early April promotion to Kansas City. Witt immediately made an impact by hitting 13 home runs before the All-Star break. He became the youngest player ever to participate in the Home Run Derby and held his own against MLB’s elite sluggers. Witt’s breakout sophomore campaign has further driven interest in his flagship 2021 rookies from Bowman and Topps products. Near mint Bowman Chrome rookies now sell in the $200-300 range, while a true gem BGS/PSA 10 could approach $1,000 given enough time.
All signs point to Witt establishing himself as a true superstar for the Royals in the coming years. As one of the most hyped prospects of the last decade, his cards already hold value rivaling some of the games’ biggest names. But if Witt continues developing and puts up All-Star caliber seasons, his rookie cards could appreciate exponentially further. For collectors, snatching up pristine examples now, especially of the ultra-short printed parallels, seems a sound long-term investment considering Witt’s limitless upside. His cards have all the makings of becoming some of the most iconic and valuable from the modern baseball card era.
