Bobby Witt Jr. Rookie Card Guide and Early Baseball Card Highlights
Whether you’re looking for a Bobby Witt Jr. Rookie Card or something from earlier in his pro career, there is plenty to choose from. By the time he played his first game for the Kansas City at the start of the 2022 season, he had more than 1,500 different cards including parallels.
It’s a fairly standard run for today’s blue chip prospects with Witt’s earliest baseball cards arriving more than a year before the Royals took him second overall in the 2019 draft. The shortstop was a standout with the USA Baseball program, which meant cards in a couple of 2018 Panini products.
Topps opted not to include Witt in 2019 Bowman Draft, instead holding him back as one of their anchors in 2020 Bowman products. And there are lots of them. Witt does have a couple of MLB cards from 2019, just not nearly as many as Adley Rutschman, Riley Greene and the majority of picks from that season.
Bobby Witt Jr. Rookie Card Guide
2021 Bowman’s Best Bobby Witt Jr. Rookie Card #15
Going by the traditional definition of a player’s first year of base cards in major releases, 2021 Bowman’s Best is home to the lone Bobby Witt Jr. Rookie Card. It’s a weird situation that bucks the trend of prospects being part of similar but separate insert sets that has been in place since 2006. It complicates things, but it happened and the card exists.
For collectors that prefer to go with the RC badge that Topps uses, there should be plenty of options by the time 2022 comes to a close.
Parallels: Refractors, Atomic Refractors, Purple Refractors (/250), Aqua Lava Refractors (/199), Blue Refractors (/150), Green Refractors (/99), Gold Lava Refractors (/75), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/10), Red Lava Refractors (/5), Superfractors (1/1)
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Other Notable Early Bobby Witt Jr. Cards
The following lists some other the key Bobby Witt Jr. cards from the early part of his career, prior to his arrival in the majors. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Rather it’s meant to highlight key releases, both valuable and historical. A comprehensive list of Bobby Witt Jr. cards can be found in the Beckett database.
2018 Elite Extra Edition USA Baseball 18U Signatures Bobby Witt Jr. #42 /99
Panini included Witt Jr. in a couple of 2018 products through their USA Baseball license. 2018 Elite Extra Edition is a broader prospect release that includes national team autographs in a couple of spots including the 18U Signatures, which Witt is a part of.
Parallels: Red (/100), Blue (/25), Emerald (/10), Red/White/Blue (/5), Holo Silver (1/1)
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2018 Panini Stars and Stripes USA Baseball 17U Signatures Bobby Witt Jr. #3 /181
2018 Panini Stars and Stripes arrived nine months before Elite Extra Edition. Focusing entirely on the USA Baseball program, Witt has multiple cards on the set’s checklist including this standard autograph.
Parallels: Black Ink (/25), Red Ink (/10), Green Ink (/5)
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2018 Panini Stars and Stripes USA Baseball Silhouettes Signature Jerseys Bobby Witt Jr. #69 /199
2018 Stars and Stripes also has a Silhouettes Signature Jerseys cards of Witt. The oversized swatch in this one adds another element. It’s also from a gamer, giving it some added prestige over something that was simply player-worn.
Parallels: Black Gold (/49), Prime (/16), USA BB Patch (/3), Brand Logo Majestic (1/1), Team Tag (1/1)
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2019 Bowman Next Top 20 Bobby Witt Jr. #T8
Although Witt’s “1st Bowman” cards were a big part of 2020 products, the shortstop’s first MLB cards actually came out in 2019. This one is part of a print-on-demand Topps Now-style release highlighting the season’s top 20 prospects. Witt’s card sold 722 copies.
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2019 Bowman’s Best 1999 Franchise Favorites Bobby Witt Jr. #99FF-BWJ
At a glance, not a lot stands out about this card besides being a solid insert with a throwback design. Beyond that, this is the only Bobby Witt Jr. MLB card issued in packs in 2019. That gives it some significance it might not otherwise have. At 1:3 packs, 1999 Franchise Favorites are among the easiest cards to pull in 2019 Bowman’s Best Baseball. However, with a checklist of 40 players, it’ll take approximately 10 hobby boxes to find a Witt.
Parallels: Atomic Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Superfractors (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Prospects Bobby Witt Jr. #BP-25
Topps opened the Bobby Witt Jr. floodgates in 2020, making him a focal point of virtually all of their Bowman products that year. It starts with this card from 2020 Bowman Baseball. As prices of its Chrome counterpart rise, this “paper” version should grow in popularity as collectors on tighter budgets look for the next best thing.
Parallels: Camo, Sky Blue (/499), Purple (/250), Blue (/150), Green (/99), Yellow (/75), Gold (/50), Orange (/25), Red (/5), Platinum (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Prospect Autographs Bobby Witt Jr. #PA-BWJ
Witt has a standard Bowman autograph card available in retail packs. This one doesn’t carry near the same value or prestige as Witt’s Bowman Chrome Prospects Autograph, which shouldn’t be surprising given Chrome’s dominance in that space. This one uses a sticker autograph as well, which isn’t as desirable to a lot of collectors. Something to consider, though, is that even though print runs haven’t been released, this one is noticeably tougher to find than Chrome.
Parallels: Purple (/250), Blue (/150), Green (/99), Gold (/50), Orange (/25), Red (/5), Platinum (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Under Armour All-American Autographs #UAA-20 (from 2018)
Although you’ll find this card in 2020 Bowman packs, there’s some history here that goes back a couple of years. Topps made the cards and Witt signed them in 2018 in conjunction with the Under Armour All America Game. So if you’re looking for an early autograph from the shortstop, here’s one from when he was still in high school.
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2020 Bowman 1st Edition Bobby Witt Jr. #BFE-25
2020 Bowman 1st Edition Baseball gave collectors an early look at the showcase prospecting line. The product will likely be best remembered as one of the first sets to come out during the global pandemic. For Witt, it’s basically the same as his regular Bowman Prospects card with the addition of a 1st Edition stamp. The print run is also another major factor as this was a much smaller release compared to the full 2020 Bowman set.
Parallels: Sky Blue Foil, Blue Foil (/150), Yellow Foil (/75), Gold Foil (/50), Orange Foil (/25), Red Foil (/5), Platinum Foil (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Chrome Prospects Bobby Witt Jr. #BCP-25
Outside of autographs, this is probably one of the most important Bobby Witt Jr. cards. 1st Bowman Chrome cards have become synonymous with modern players. While not traditional Rookie Cards, the spirit of them is similar and many collectors treat them as such. Although it carries Bowman Chrome branding, it’s actually found in 2020 Bowman packs. Witt appears again on different cards in 2020 Bowman Chrome and 2020 Bowman Draft, but this one is the clear favorite and most valuable.
Parallels: Atomic Refractors, Refractors (/499), Speckle Refractors (/299), Purple Refractors (/250), Blue Refractors (/150), Blue Shimmer Refractors (/150), Aqua Refractors (/125), Aqua Shimmer Refractors (/125), Green Refractors (/99), Green Shimmer Refractors (/99), Yellow Refractors (/75), Gold Refractors (/50), Gold Shimmer Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Orange Shimmer Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), Red Shimmer Refractors (/5), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Bobby Witt Jr. #CPA-BWJ
For most, if they could have one Bobby Witt Jr. card, they’d choose his 2020 Bowman Chrome autograph or one of its many Refractor parallels. This is a benchmark card for the second overall pick in the 2019 draft. Bowman Chrome carries a lot of clout among collectors today. Besides the branding, the on-card signature and MLB marks are big draws. Like his regular Bowman Chrome card, this is part of 2020 Bowman Baseball.
Parallels: Refractors (/499), Speckle Refractors (/299), Purple Refractors (/250), Blue Refractors (/150), Atomic Refractors (/100), Green Refractors (/99), Green Shimmer Refractors (/99), Yellow Refractors (/75), Gold Refractors (/50), Gold Shimmer Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Orange Shimmer Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), Red Shimmer Refractors (/5), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Chrome Mega Box Prospects Bobby Witt Jr. #BCP-25
Witt’s 1st Bowman and Bowman Chrome cards have multiple versions across different products. This one is part of exclusive packs found in the retail-only 2020 Bowman Mega Box. It takes the standard Chrome card and gives it the distinct “Mojo” background pattern. A similarly patterned Bobby Witt Jr. card numbered BCP-160 is found in the 2020 Bowman Chrome Mega Box.
Parallels: Purple Refractors (/250), Pink Refractors (/199), Blue Refractors (/150), Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), Black Refractors (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Chrome Mega Box Prospect Autographs Bobby Witt Jr. #BMA-BWJ
The Bowman Mega Box also has a Bobby Witt Jr. autograph. This one has a different photo, which certainly helps it stand out. The on-card signature remains as well.
Parallels: Blue Refractors (/150), Green Refractors (/99), Orange Refractors (/25), Black Refractors (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Prospects Bobby Witt Jr. #BCP-25
Topps definitely knows how to get legs out of their major brands. 2020 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Baseball marks the fourth similar but separate release to include Witt’s 1st Bowman/Bowman Chrome card. As far as base versions, this one has a lot going for it. For starters, there’s availability. Sapphire is an online-exclusive that also comes with a smaller print run. The Atomic Refractor/Cracked Ice background pattern has built a major following over the years. Aesthetically, Witt is elevated further simply by Sapphire’s use of blue. It makes for an attractive color match for the Royals.
Parallels: Orange (/75), Purple (/20), Red (/15), Papradascha (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Prospect Autographs Bobby Witt Jr. #BSPA-BWJ
Witt’s signature appears in Sapphire as well. Instead of the background pattern, this one looks an awful lot like a standard Blue Refractor. There is a Sapphire stamp under the Bowman Chrome logo.
Parallels: Green (/50), Orange (/25), Purple (/10), Red (/5), Papradascha (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Heritage Prospects Bobby Witt Jr. #BHP-25
Normally, Topps Heritage sets go back many decades. For 2020 Bowman Heritage, it stuck with a more modern era, basing its design on the iconic 1992 Bowman. The online exclusive also has similar Chrome cards but that can sell for a little more but the nostalgia’s in the basic version.
Parallels: Black and White
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2020 Bowman Platinum Top Prospect Autographs Bobby Witt Jr. #TOP-25
2020 Bowman Platinum Baseball is a retail product made for Walmart. It’s definitely one of the lesser Bowman brands as far as overall popularity goes but it’s still an on-card autograph. Of the parallels, the Ice version comes with a background pattern that’s different from the usual colors.
Parallels: Purple (/199), Blue (/150), Green (/99), Ice (/50), Orange (/25), Red (/10), Foilfractor (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Sterling Prospects Bobby Witt Jr. #BPR-29
2020 Bowman Sterling Baseball takes the prospecting brand a little more upscale and high-end. Much of that comes through in its configuration, though, with an autograph in every pack. The main set takes a chromium approach with a solid mix of Refractors. Compared to Bowman Chrome, this one is certainly overlooked.
Parallels: Refractors (/199), Speckle Refractors (/99), Magenta Refractors (/75), Gold Refractors (/50), Blue Refractors (/25), Black Atomic Refractors (/10), Red Refractors (/5), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Sterling Prospect Autographs Bobby Witt Jr. #BSPA-BWJ
Sterling might be a high-end product, but if you’re looking for a Bobby Witt Jr. autograph, this one is significantly cheaper than Bowman Chrome. It has similar stock, a Royals uniform and an on-card signature. But Sterling doesn’t have nearly the same brand affinity.
Parallels: Refractors (/150), Wave Refractors (/125), Speckle Refractors (/99), Orange Refractors (/75), Gold Refractors (/50), Blue Refractors (/25), Black Atomic Refractors (/10), Red Refractors (/5), Superfractors (1/1)
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2020 Bowman Transcendent Bobby Witt Jr. #39 /100
Typically, high-end for Topps’ prospect lineup is Chrome, which isn’t really all that premium in today’s hobby. 2020 Bowman Transcendent Baseball took things up several notches. While the base prospects are somewhat of an afterthought compared to the autographs and experience, this card does only have 100 copies. It has also got a metal frame, giving it an aesthetically premium look and feel.
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2020 Bowman Transcendent Autographs Bobby Witt Jr. #BTA-BWJ /25
2020 Bowman Transcendent has 28 Transcendent Autographs per box, all numbered to 25 or less. The checklist has several big-name prospects with Witt being one of the biggest. Besides the regular version, there’s also a variation that uses a horizontal layout and a photo of the shortstop running. A second horizontal card, this one of Witt holding a bat and numbered to 50, was given out at the corresponding VIP event.
Parallels: Blue (/10), Emerald (/5), Platinum (1/1), Red (1/1), Rose Gold (1/1)
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2020 Bowman’s Best Best of 2020 Autographs Bobby Witt Jr. #B20-BW
Collectors have several MLB Bobby Witt Jr. autographs from 2020 to choose from. Bowman’s Best has a lot of the same attributes as Bowman Chrome — chromium stock, on-card autograph, Refractors galore — but a price tag that’s a fraction of the amount. Prestige comes with a price. Sometimes a significantly cheaper alternative is in order and there’s no shame in that.
Parallels: Refractors, Blue Refractors (/150), Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Atomic Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/10), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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2020 Bowman’s Best Top Prospects Bobby Witt Jr. #TP-20
The same can be said about Witt’s Top Prospects card in 2020 Bowman’s Best as his autograph. It’s noticeably less expensive than Bowman Chrome. While not the boldest design in Best’s history, there’s still a more modern look to it than Chrome as well.
Parallels: Atomic Refractors, Refractors, Purple Refractors (/250), Blue Refractors (/150), Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/10), Superfractors (1/1)
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You forgot 2019 onyx if you count those
The list of prospect cards isn’t everything. It’s meant to be some key highlights.
WHAT ABOUT 2019 PRIZM #2 BOBBY WITT JR AND ALL IT’S PARALLELS? AREN’T THEY HIS ROOKIE CARDS
Please update to include rookie cards that include the RC symbol. Thanks.
Why does Witt’s 2023 Prizm (#254 in the set) have the RC logo? Clearly, his 2022 card (#33 in Prizm) having the RC logo should have been an indication to Panini that Witt already had a rookie card?