Joey Gallo Rookie Cards and Key Prospect Cards Guide
As one of the premier home run hitters, Joey Gallo rookie cards and prospects are garnering attention in the hobby. The big question is whether the excitement of his home runs is enough to offset the massive strikeout totals.
The Texas Rangers selected Gallo with the 39th pick in the 2012 draft. However, he has cards that predate this thanks to his time with the USA Baseball program. The third baseman's first cards were released in 2011 products from both Topps and Panini. This includes a handful of autographs. There are several Joey Gallo cards in a Texas uniform from the start of his career, including a few in late-2012 products. Among them is a 2012 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Autograph, which is considered the top Joey Gallo card that's widely available.
While his rookie cards came near the end of the 2015 MLB collecting season, many collectors still look to his earliest baseball cards.
Below is a list of Joey Gallo prospect card highlights. It's not a full list but rather some of the top choices a lot of collectors look to for varying reasons.
Key Joey Gallo Prospect Cards
Interested in adding a specific card to your collection? Click on the links in the card titles or image to shop for singles on eBay.
2011 Bowman Sterling USA Dual Autographs Joey Gallo with Carson Kelly #USADA-KG #/299
It is not the most attractive card and it uses stickers on chromium stock, but it is the first Joey Gallo card to find its way into an MLB product. Joined by Carson Kelly, it pictures both as members of the national squad. Although notable for being first, it's largely overlooked.
2011 Panini Limited USA Baseball National Team Joey Gallo #30 #/199
The numbering to 199 is low enough to begin with, but this is a tough card to find. It's Gallo's first Panini card, produced after the card maker took over the USA Baseball license from Topps. 2011 Panini Limited wasn't received very well upon release and a lot of the cards haven't surfaced in large quantities. Despite not having an autograph or additional selling points, this might be a Joey Gallo USA card worth watching.
2011 Topps USA Baseball Joey Gallo #USA61
Included in the 2011 Topps USA Baseball box set, this card is easy to find and costs relatively little. It's an ideal choice for someone looking for something early and cheap.
2011 Topps USA Baseball Autographs Joey Gallo #USA-A51
It's not the most exciting photo, but the on-card signature is a plus. Also, compared to a lot of other early autographed Joey Gallo cards, the base version is very affordable.
2011 Topps USA Baseball Triple Jersey Autograph Joey Gallo #JG #/214
For those who like the full package on a card, this one combines an autograph (albeit a sticker) with a trio of jersey swatches. Most are all white, but it does have a clean design. It also comes numbered to 214.
2012 Bowman Chrome Draft Joey Gallo #BDPP32
If your budget is limited, the 2012 Bowman Chrome Draft Joey Gallo is an excellent choice. It's Gallo's first card in a Rangers uniform. And since it's not signed, it's still very affordable. Technically, it's an insert so it's not a rookie in the traditional sense, however, it's often treated as one. Several levels of Refractor parallels add a chase element.
2012 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Autographs Joey Gallo #BCA-JG
As far as Joey Gallo cards go, this is considered by most to be a cornerstone piece. Highlighted by an on-card signature and the popular Bowman Chrome name, it's likely to be the most widely collected card of the slugger. Whether it's the basic version or any of the colorful Refractors, all are popular.
2012 Bowman Draft Bowman Black Autographs Joey Gallo #BBC-JG
Topps introduced the cross-brand Bowman Black Autographs in 2012. The cards feature a distinct design and are signed in silver ink. Limited to 25 copies, they don't show up very often. Collectors should also be aware they are very condition sensitive and edge wear is common. This particular card was inserted in 2012 Bowman Draft.
2012 Bowman Draft Perfect Game Autographs Joey Gallo #/235
Continuing in the tradition of AFLAC autographs, this card has one of the earliest Joey Gallo cards captured on cards. Although released in 2012 Bowman Draft, the card was shot, produced and signed at the 2011 All-American Classic, more than a year earlier. Collectors may encounter copies that aren't serial numbered. That's because some were handed out at the event and given to players. You should use caution with these as, historically, similar cards have been easy to counterfeit or add fake signatures to. Pack-inserted cards are serial numbered.
2012 Bowman Sterling Prospect Autographs Joey Gallo #BSAP-JGA
Like the Bowman Chrome Autograph, Sterling has Gallo in a Rangers jersey and an on-card signature. However, it doesn't cost nearly as much. Even with a lofty box price, Sterling doesn't have the same brand affinity as Bowman Chrome. So if you're looking for a card and the brand doesn't matter, this may be one to pick.
2012 Leaf Metal Draft Joey Gallo #BA-JG1 Autograph
Leaf did a handful of different Joey Gallo autograph cards in 2012. Not licensed by the MLB or MLBPA, they're more reasonably priced than those released by Topps. 2012 Leaf Metal Draft is for those who like chromium cards. Besides a basic version, there are several colorful Prismatic parallels.
2012 Leaf Ultimate Draft Joey Gallo #BA-JG1 Autograph
2012 Leaf Ultimate Draft sticks with the on-card signature theme, but takes a more traditional approach to its design. Like Metal Draft, it's significantly cheaper than many other early Gallo autographs.
2012 Leaf Valiant Joey Gallo #VA-JG1 Autograph
2012 Leaf Valiant is a nod to the Donruss Crusade inserts of the late 1990s. The royal theme mixes with a refractor finish to give it a distinct look. Besides the regular version, there are numbered parallels that feature different colors.
2012 Panini Elite Extra Edition Autographs Joey Gallo #131 #/498
Although it's not licensed by MLB, the 2012 Panini Elite Extra Edition Joey Gallo autograph looks solid with him in his high school uniform. It comes with an on-card signature. Unlike Bowman Chrome, it's also serial numbered. Limited to 498 copies, it walks the rarity balance.
 | Making purchases through affiliate links can earn the site a commission |
