The 2019 baseball card season was another highly anticipated year in the hobby, with several high-profile rookies making their card debuts and established stars receiving some of their best designs yet. With so many great options to choose from, narrowing down the best 2019 baseball cards requires considering factors like the players featured, the visual design and photography quality of the cards, and their overall collectibility. Here are some of the top cards released in 2019 that collectors highly regard.
Perhaps the most sought-after rookie card of the year was Bowman Chrome Vladimir Guerrero Jr. While he didn’t make his MLB debut until late April, Guerrero had long been considered one of the top prospects in baseball. His prospect cards gained significant value in anticipation of his call-up to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Bowman Chrome refractors and parallels quickly became THE rookie card to own for the heir to Vlad Sr.’s hitting throne. With his huge debut season that showed he may live up to the hype, these Guerrero Jr. rookies should remain at the top of want lists for years to come.
Another can’t-miss rookie was Eloy Jimenez of the Chicago White Sox. Jimenez shattered expectations in his first full season, hitting 31 home runs and establishing himself as a budding superstar. Topps Chrome Update Blue Refractor #US250 and Topps Opening Day Blue Refractor #OD-EJ capture Jimenez in his White Sox uniform and are sure to gain value as he develops into a perennial All-Star. Topps also released an amazing Jimenez Negative Refractor parallel (#TTNEG-EJ) that stands out with its innovative design. These Jimenez rookies are as investment-worthy as any other from the 2019 class.
For established MLB stars, Topps Finest provided some of the best looking cards of the year. Names like Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, and Ronald Acuña Jr. received exquisite refractor parallels in the set. The photography and on-card autographs elevate Finest above other high-end brands. Yelich’s Finest refractor autograph parallel (#FFA-CY) in particular stands out, as the 2018 NL MVP put together an even better season in 2019. These stars are locked in as franchise cornerstones, making their Finest RCs excellent long-term holdings.
Bowman Sterling also delivered some tremendous rookie cards, led by super-prospects like Bo Bichette, Keston Hiura, and Carter Kieboom. The on-card autographs, plus the ample color parallels like green, orange, and blue refractors, give collectors plentiful high-end options to chase. As these rookies continue developing, their Bowman Sterling autographs may emerge as all-time greats at their positions. Even non-autos like Bichette’s base paper rookie (#BSH-BB) hold value as he takes Toronto’s shortstop job.
Two veterans received some of their best looking cards ever thanks to Topps Heritage. Both Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw were featured on magnificent retro-style mini cards with crisp photos and designs evoking the look of the late 1960s. Trout’s mini (#HM-MT) is a work of art showcasing perhaps the greatest player of this generation. Meanwhile, Kershaw’s (#HM-CK) serves as a timeless reminder of the Dodgers’ ace in his prime. These mini cards captured the nostalgia of the Heritage set while honoring modern day legends – a true win-win for collectors.
Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome also delivered some irresistible rookie refractors. Names that stood out included Bo Bichette’s Topps Chrome Blue Refractor (#TCB-BB), Carter Kieboom’s Topps Chrome Orange Refractor (#TCO-CK), and Gavin Lux’s Bowman Chrome Pink Refractor (#BCP-GL). As these rookies continue to develop, their flagship Chrome cards should hold strong long-term value in collections. The refractors also look fantastic straight out of the pack.
In summary, 2019 was a great year for baseball cards thanks to standout rookies like Guerrero Jr., Jimenez, Bichette, and Hiura. Established stars also received some of the best designs of their careers in products like Topps Finest and Heritage. With so many talented young players and perennial greats featured, 2019 housed cards that should retain collector interest and value deep into the future. The year’s top cards captured amazing photography while honoring players who will long be remembered as legends of the game.
