Christian Yelich Rookie Card Guide and Beyond
There’s a good chance you have a Christian Yelich Rookie Card or two biding its time in a box somewhere. Even if you recognized his talent early on in a baseball sense, the hobby has lagged behind.
That’s what happens when you start your career in Miami before getting traded to the Brewers. It’s not a knock on either franchise but rather the reality that players have to do big things before collectors really start to pay attention. For Christian Yelich, it has taken a Triple Crown-caliber season, clutch September play and helping Milwaukee into the postseason.
Christian Yelich Rookie Cards are in 2013 sets released in the latter part of the card calendar. That means there really aren’t a lot when put alongside many of his peers. But that also means a healthy number of prospect and minor league cards that came out in the years before. These started in 2010, not long after Yelich was taken in the first round of the draft.
Christian Yelich Rookie Card Guide
The following Christian Yelich Rookie Card list highlights cards that have the RC tag in the Beckett Baseball Card Database and Price Guide. Inserts and parallels are not taken into account.
2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Christian Yelich RC #40
Even as Christian Yelich’s popularity grows, it will be a long time before the base version of his 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Rookie shakes its affordable label. Collectors are more into prospects, autographs and color when it comes to the line versus vets and rookies. That said, there is lots of color to be found here with a dozen different Refractors.
Parallels: Refractors, Black Wave Refractors, Blue Wave Refractors, Blue Refractors (/99), Green Refractors (/75), Gold Refractors (/50), Black Refractors (/35), Orange Refractors (/25), Silver Wave Refractors (/25), Red Wave Refractors (/25), 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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2013 Bowman Draft Christian Yelich RC #40
The 2013 Bowman Draft Christian Yelich Rookie Card is in similar company as Bowman Chrome. Only this one is probably even more overlooked as collectors often opt for the slightly more upscale chromium spin.Both the Bowman and Bowman Chrome Draft cards are found in the same packs, part of Topps’ end-of-the-year release.
Parallels: Silver Ice, Blue (/500), Orange (/250), Red Ice (/25), Purple Ice (/10), Orange Ice (/5), Red (/5), Black (1/1), Black Ice (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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2013 Bowman Sterling Christian Yelich RC #38
The 2013 Bowman Sterling Christian Yelich Rookie Card isn’t easy to find, especially in it most basic form. It comes from a high-end product that goes bulk on autographs. In fact, there are more signed cards per pack than base. On top of that, there’s the Prospects inserts and the parallels, which further cut into the overall production numbers. Collectors have realized the moderate scarcity of the card and it commands a premium. But even then, this could be one of the more overlooked Christian Yelich Rookie Cards.
Parallels: Refractors (/199), Gold Refractors (/50), Blue Refractors (/25), Purple Refractors (/10), Gold Canary Diamond Refractors (/3), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Red Refractors (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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2013 Panini America’s Pastime Christian Yelich RC Auto Mem #283 /99
The 2013 Panini America’s Pastime Christian Yelich Rookie Card is both big and small at the same time. With just 99 copies, it’s his RC with the smallest print run. But everything else about it is big. The card arrives as a booklet with three swatch windows and an autograph. Panini still managed to leave room for a photo.
As a brand, America’s Pastime lasted just one season, which contributes to the card flying under the radar. But with only two base set autograph Rookie Cards out there for Yelich, it doesn’t have much company in the high end.
Parallels: Red (/49), Gold (/25), Green (/5), Black (1/1)
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2013 Select Christian Yelich RC Autograph #190 /500
2013 Select has the other autographed Christian Yelich Rookie Card. This one isn’t as rare, doesn’t have the memorabilia and is much more shiny, though. Base versions come numbered to 500, which means it’s still on the rare side but definitely shouldn’t take much of a hunt.
Parallels: Prizm (/99), Prizm Gold (/25), Prizm Black (1/1)
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2013 Topps Chrome Update Christian Yelich RC #MB-47
2013 Topps Chrome Update cards were only available in special retail Mega Boxes that had five regular 2013 Topps Update packs and a pair of Chrome Update packs. So even at 55 cards, putting a set together wasn’t the easiest. This is one of those cards that isn’t necessarily rare but it’s unlikely you’re going to find it in any quantity, either.
Parallels: Gold Refractors (/250), Black Refractors (/99)
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2013 Topps Heritage Christian Yelich RC #H536
The 2013 Topps Heritage Christian Yelich Rookie Card can’t be found in any packs. Rather, it’s part of an online-exclusive High Number factory set. It was a follow-up to the wildly popular 2012 online-only release. However, that one came with an announced print run of 1,000 copies. This set, although not formally announced, isn’t nearly as scarce. Still, Heritage High Number has become one of the top spots for late-season Rookie Cards, particularly those call-ups who don’t have a lot.
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2013 Topps Update Christian Yelich RC #US290
It’s not autographed and it’s not particularly limited, but when it comes to Christian Yelich Rookie Cards, this is the key. Even without the recent rise in popularity for Topps Update (thanks, Mike Trout), there’s tradition in flagship Rookies that no other line in the hobby can touch. Yelich joins Nolan Arenado, Yasiel Puig, Didi Gregorius and Corey Kluber on a strong 2013 Topps Update checklist.
Parallels: Emerald, Target Red Border, Walmart Blue Border, Gold (/2013), Camo (/99), Black (/62), Pink (/50), Sapphire (/25), 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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Other Early Christian Yelich Cards of Note
Christian Yelich has several important early cards that aren’t traditional Rookie Cards. Here are some of the highlights, although it is not an exhaustive list. A full Christian Yelich card checklist is available in the Beckett database.
2010 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Autographs Christian Yelich #BDPP78
If you’re looking for one key Christian Yelich card, this is it. The 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Autographs card is a de facto Rookie Card to many. It’s also the mainstream card against which you can gauge all other Christian Yelich cards, RC or not. It has everything collectors have come to expect from modern Bowman Chrome: an on-card signature, MLB marks and the weight that the brand carries. As Yelich’s popularity grows, this is the card many will be looking at.
Parallels: Refractors (/500), Blue Refractors (/150), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), 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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2010 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Christian Yelich #BDPP78
For many, autographs are either too expensive or the player isn’t on our radar enough to warrant such a purchase. Yelich also has a basic, any much more affordable, 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects card. It’s essentially the same in every way minus the signature. Refractors add the chase element. There’s also a regular Bowman Draft Prospects card done with more traditional card stock that’s even more affordable.
Parallels: Refractors (/5), Purple Refractors, Blue Refractors (/199), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), 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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2010 Bowman Sterling Prospect Autographs Christian Yelich #BSP-CY
When placed alongside Bowman Chrome, this is a much more affordable early Christian Yelich. Like Chrome, it has MLB logos. However, the perception of Sterling isn’t nearly as strong. For starters, there’s the history. Chrome has autographs as the chase. For Sterling, they’re the focal point. But if you get into the construction, Sterling has stickers for the signatures, a step back from the on-card ‘graphs Chrome has. Still, price is a big factor for many. If you’re on a tighter budget, this is a definite alternative.
Parallels: Refractors (/199), Gold Refractors (/50), Black Refractors (/25), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Red Refractors (1/1)
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2010 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Christian Yelich Autograph #147 /815
2010 Donruss Elite Extra Edition is another autograph alternative. It may not have the MLB marks, but it is serial numbered, which is the preference of some. The main version has 815 copies with a handful of parallels coming in at 100 or less.
Autographed Parallels: Signature Aspirations (/100), Signature Status (/50), Signature Status Emerald (/25), Signature Status Gold (/5), Signature Status Black (1/1)
Unsigned Parallels: Aspirations (/200), Status (/100), Status Emerald (/25), Status Gold (/10)
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2013 Bowman Platinum Relic Autographs Christian Yelich #AR-CY
2013 Bowman Platinum combines a Christian Yelich autograph with a jersey swatch. It’s a relatively affordable choice for someone who doesn’t have a lot of early options. The sticker and lack of numbering don’t do it any favors. On the other hand, the Refractor stock adds some definite pop.
Parallels: Blue Refractors (/199), Gold Refractors (/50), Red Refractors (/25), X-Fractors (/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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2013 Finest Rookie Jumbo Relic Autographs Refractors Christian Yelich #AJR-CY
Pretty much all the attributes of the Bowman Platinum Relic Autograph is replicated in 2013 Topps Finest. However, many may see this one as more desirable. For starters, the swatch is double the size. It also has a more dynamic design with its background lines and photo choice.
Parallels: X-Fractors (/149), Green Refractors (/125), Orange Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Red Refractors (/25), Atomic 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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2013 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs Christian Yelich #CY
Christian Yelich doesn’t have a regular base card in the main 2013 Topps Chrome set, but he does have an autograph. It’s also Yelich’s only readily available MLB card from his rookie season to come with an on-card signature. In typical fashion for most anything “Chrome,” Refractors are plentiful.
Parallels: Refractors (/499), Blue Refractors (/199), Black Refractors (/100), Sepia Refractors (/75), Gold Refractors (/50), Red Refractors (/25), Silver Ink Black Refractors (/25), Camo Refractors (/15), Atomic Refractors (/10), Pink 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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Why are some 2013 issues listed as RCs in this article, but are not listed as such in the online database? (Heritage High Numbers, Chrome Update, etc.)
Is this an error in the database or this article?
@Joseph — When compiling the article I discussed with the database team and the database should be updated soon.
How soon is considered “soon”? It has been a month and a half since I asked.
@Joseph – I do not work directly with the pricing/database team. I will check in with them again and let you know if I hear anything. But it has been discussed.