The Dugout│Best Julio Rodriguez Rookie Cards To Invest In

Julio Rodriguez rookie cards are the envy of sports card collectors and investors everywhere. That was the case at Goldin Auctions where a single card sold for a record-breaking $276,000.

It's no wonder that Rodriguez rookie cards are widely considered one of the top investments in the hobby. But don't expect to hit the jackpot right away—these cards take time to appreciate in value.

Now that's a return we can all get behind.

Julio Rodriguez made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners on Opening Day in 2022. Since then, numerous cards have been released featuring the young slugger.

Julio Yarnel Rodríguez is a Dominican baseball sensation born on December 29, 2000. He's an outfielder for the Seattle Mariners and has been making waves as a rookie in the MLB. J-Rod, as he’s often called, has a career batting average of 0.265, 14 home runs, and 50 RBIs, according to StatMuse reports.

Julio Rodriguez is among the most prolific hitters in the American league alongside Fernando Tatis Jr. It's no surprise that J-Rod is one of the most talked-about players in Major League Baseball—with a robust twelve-year $209 million contract topped with bonuses and added incentives to boot.

Rodríguez smashed his way into history by becoming the first player to have notched up an eye-popping 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in his debut season only 125 games into his career. What's even more impressive is that he beat out prestigious names like AL Rookie of the Year and three-time MVP Mike Trout.

With a stat line of 28 home runs and a .284 batting average, it's clear that Rodriguez is not to be trifled with. His stats speak volumes—Julio Rodriguez is here to stay.

Julio Rodriguez may be new to the baseball scene, but his rookie cards are already causing a stir in the hobby world. Dubbed the "Griffey Jr. 2.0", his raw power and speed have drawn comparisons to the Seattle Mariners legend himself.

There are over 3,500 J-Rod cards in the PSA database, including five rookies and over 3,000 variation cards, so collectors have plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the best ones for investors looking to cop a Julio Rodriguez card.

1. 2019 Bowman Prospects Chrome Julio Rodriguez Purple Refractor #33 

• Price Range: $335 to $808
• Highest Sale Price: $2,000
• PSA 10 Supply: 38
• Brand: Bowman

The 2019 Bowman Prospects Chrome Julio Rodriguez Purple Refractor #33 is practically worth its weight in gold.

Its purple refractor design has resulted in prices ranging from an impressive $335 to an astounding $2,000. And if that wasn't enough, the autographed variant outperformed them all with a record-breaking sale of $3,400.

This premier set is designed with a regal signature style and offers a variety of parallels at different price points. Collectors can choose from Refractors, Wave Refractors, Speckle Refractors, and more—each a unique, exclusive design.

2. 2019 Bowman Sterling Prospect Autographs Julio Rodriguez Wave Refractor #JR 

• Price Range: $170 to $475
• Highest Sale Price: $800
• PSA10 Supply: 5
• Brand: Bowman Sterling

Collectors dream of assembling the 2019 Bowman Sterling set and this wave refractor card of rising Seattle Mariners baseball star Julio Rodriguez is no exception. This one's a real showstopper, featuring a wavy surface that reflects light and draws the eye.

Even better, this beauty is currently fetching a rent-busting price of $170 to $475—and if you're lucky, you might cash in like the eBay seller who scored $800 for theirs in January 2023.

3. 2020 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Edition Julio Rodriguez #BCP19

• Price Range: $14 to $109
• Highest Sale Price: $300
• PSA 10 Supply: 298
• Brand: Bowman Chrome

The 2020 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Edition Julio Rodriguez #BCB19 baseball card is more than just a piece of cardboard with a picture of a player on it. This card is something special and in high demand. It’s worth between $14 and $109, with the highest sale price of $300.

This one-of-a-kind card is distinguished by its refractor design and sapphire sky blue background, a front-and-center J-Rod at bat in his Mariners uniform, and his autograph to top it all off. This card’s composition sets it apart from the crowd.

4. 2019 Bowman’s Best of 2019 Julio Rodriguez Auto #B19JR

• Price Range: $356 to $510
• Highest Sale Price: $721
• PSA 10 Supply: 103
• Brand: Bowman’s Best

The 2019 Bowman’s Best Best of 2019 Julio Rodriguez Autograph #B19JR baseball card is a sure-fire hit for any collector. This card features a stunning action shot of Julio Rodriguez in his Seattle Mariners uniform and his autograph.

These Julio Rodriguez cards are no joke, with values ranging from $356 to $510 and an all-time-high sale price of $721.55 for a PSA 10 in January 2023. The card's unique design features a vibrant blue and yellow color scheme that appeals to collectors with a penchant for classic baseball card design.

5. 2022 Topps Julio Rodriguez Short Print #659

• Price Range: $173 to $511
• Highest Sale Price: $2,275
• PSA 10 Supply: 831
• Brand: Topps Series 2

The 2022 Topps Series 2 Julio Rodriguez Short Print #659 baseball card has a design variation that makes it more special compared to the regular version of the card. It was released as part of the 2022 Topps Series 2 set, which is already a hot commodity among collectors.

According to sources, the card is considered valuable and in high demand among collectors, with a price range of $173 to $511 and the highest sale price of $2275 for a PSA 10. That's some serious cash for a piece of cardboard with a picture on it. 

And with only 831 PSA 10-graded cards available, collectors are scrambling to get their hands on this one.

6. 2019 Bowman Prospects Chrome Julio Rodriguez Atomic Refractor #33 

• Price Range: $82 to $641
• Highest Sale Price: $7,400
• PSA 10 Supply: 16
• Brand: Bowman

The 2019 Bowman Prospects Chrome Julio Rodriguez Atomic Refractor #33 is making waves in the hobby world. This card features rising MLB star Julio Rodriguez and has an amazing one-of-a-kind design featuring an atomic refractor background.

This must-have for any collector is currently commanding a pretty penny. Prices range from $82 to an eye-popping $7,400, and PSA 10s are super rare with only 16 in circulation. Get the 2019 Bowman Prospects Chrome Julio Rodriguez Atomic Refractor #33 and you'll be the talk of the town.

You can also get your hands on Julio Rodríguez's autographed base cards and Refractors without an auto. Plus, the set also contains several limited parallel options such as Camo, Sky Blue, Purple, and Printing Plates Black—all affordably priced despite their rarity.

7. 2021 Mega Box Chrome Julio Rodriguez #BCP86 

• Price Range: $17 to $61
• Highest Sale Price: $145
• PSA 10 Supply: 283
• Brand: Bowman Mega Box

Collectors have been hot on the trail of the Mega Box Chrome 2021 Julio Rodriguez #BCB86 card for ages—with only 281 PSA 10-graded cards available and prices ranging from $17 to $61, it's safe to say this card is quite the rarity.

One collector happily shelled out $145 for this card in December 2022. If you're looking for an exceptional piece to add to your baseball card collection, this is certainly a good one.

8. 2022 Topps Stars of MLB Julio Rodriguez Update #SMLB87

• Price Range: $10 to $39
• Highest Sale Price: $114
• PSA 10 Supply: 260
• Brand: Topps

The outstanding performance of Julio Rodriguez is doing the talking on the 2022 Topps Stars of MLB Update #SMLB87 card. With its white border and bold lettering featuring the player's name and team, this card boasts a classic design that has been a mainstay of Topps since 1951.

Collectors will have to shell out anywhere from $10 to $114—incredibly modest for this must-have Julio Rodriguez rookie.

A Julio Rodriguez card could be your ticket to the big leagues. The price of a Julio Rodriguez rookie card has skyrocketed, with some occasionally fetching more than $276,000.

Experts recommend investing in graded cards to ensure authenticity and quality, and the popular Topps Stars of MLB Julio Rodriguez Update cards are safe bets due to their availability, design, and brand name.

It's important to do your research and keep up with trends, but investing in sports cards can be a fun and potentially lucrative hobby with the right strategy.