Top Jose Abreu Rookie Card and Prospect Cards
Jose Abreu started off with a bang for Chicago White Sox collectors. The 2014 AL Rookie of the Year winner has since put together some good seasons, including the 2020 AL MVP award, pushing Jose Abreu rookie cards into the spotlight.
Even before signing with the White Sox, the Cuban slugger was lighting up the hobby with a handful of cards. Early on, he was included in 2013 Topps Tribute World Baseball Classic Edition. Leaf was the first company to have Jose Abreu autograph cards with redemptions in 2013 Leaf Metal Draft. Panini also got an early Jose Abreu autograph in 2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks.
It is worth noting that while these cards were the first on the market, most don't consider them to be rookies as they're from prospect-only sets. In the case of Topps Tribute WBC, it's viewed as an international set. That said, don't discount their overall importance. We're in an era where the rookie card label doesn't always coincide with a player's best card.
The first Jose Abreu rookie card with the Cuban slugger in his White Sox uniform was included in 2014 Topps Gypsy Queen. Panini quickly followed suit with a wrapper redemption card from 2014 Donruss. Many options followed from the 2014 baseball cards sets.
Take a look at the various Jose Abreu rookie cards and prospect cards of note in the guide below.
Top Jose Abreu Rookie Cards
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2014 Bowman Chrome Jose Abreu RC #5
The 2014 Bowman Chrome Jose Abreu rookie card falls on the cheaper side. While he appeared in 2014 Bowman, both his paper and Chrome cards in the set were part of the Prospect inserts. Therefore, they technically aren't rookies (even if most view them as such). Besides the regular card, there are several Refractor parallels.
2014 Bowman Platinum Jose Abreu RC #76
It has some major shine, but 2014 Bowman Platinum base cards are very much on the affordable side. This is a nice choice for collectors on a budget who want something that looks modern.
2014 Donruss Jose Abreu #202
You won't find this 2014 Donruss card in packs as it is part of a wrapper redemption offered by Panini. With just 24 packs (one box) required to get the three Rated Rookie updates, it's not too tough to find.
2014 Panini Immaculate Collection Jose Abreu RC #154, 155
Jose Abreu has a pair of cards in 2014 Immaculate Baseball that could be considered rookies. The first (#154) is numbered to 49 and comes with both an autograph and a memorabilia swatch. A parallel, numbered to 99, has a patch. The second rookie card is #155 and it just has a swatch. This one is more plentiful with 99 copies.
2014 Panini Prizm Jose Abreu RC #199
While the base version of this 2014 Prizm rookie card is inexpensive, there are 10 parallels to keep dedicated collectors busy. On top of that, Abreu appears in many of Prizm's insert sets (and their plentiful parallels) and has autographs.
2014 Topps Jose Abreu RC #496
Neither high-end or a short print, this 2014 Topps Series 2 card is bound to be one of Abreu's most affordable rookies. That said, given Topps' habits of revisiting rookies, this will likely be one that's seen more often than a lot of others.
2014 Topps Allen & Ginter Jose Abreu RC #269
If you're looking for a beautiful Jose Abreu rookie card that doesn't have any frills, it doesn't get much better than 2014 Topps Allen & Ginter. Part of the base set, it's not a short print so prices should stay relatively low.
2014 Topps Archives Jose Abreu RC #217 SP
A lot of this card's modest value comes from the fact that it's a short print. Although not terribly tough to track down, single-card buyers have competition from set builders. The 2014 Topps Archives design is inspired by 1986 Topps Baseball. Abreu is also included on the set's Fan Favorites Autographs checklist.
2014 Topps Chrome Jose Abreu #199
Sticking with tradition, 2014 Topps Chrome offers a chromium spin on the base card. It's not a particularly valuable card as it's not a short print. Besides a large Refractor rainbow, there's also an autographed insert (with its own set of Refractors).
2014 Topps Finest Jose Abreu RC #22
The 2014 Finest card is a wild and colorful departure from Topps' other chromium-based releases. Collectors seem to be mixed on the look. Either way, it's an affordable card and there's no reason why it should carry a premium. While his base rookie card isn't very valuable, his autograph is. It's one of the top cards in the entire product.
2014 Topps Gypsy Queen Jose Abreu RC #320 SP
2014 Gypsy Queen offers the first Jose Abreu card to picture him in a White Sox uniform. It is a short print, but it shouldn't be considered rare.
Jose Abreu also has a Reverse Image variation in the set. The mini parallels also have their own photo variation.
2014 Topps Mini Jose Abreu RC #496
A shrunken down version of his flagship Topps card, 2014 Topps Mini has the novelty of being an online exclusive. As a result, the print run is significantly smaller and it should carry a moderately bigger price tag.
2014 Topps Triple Threads Jose Abreu RC #35
Between the elegant look and the high-end product it comes from, 2014 Triple Threads has one of the best basic Jose Abreu rookie cards. It's not serial numbered so the price is kept in check. However, looking for it in packs can get expensive in a hurry since boxes don't have a lot of base cards.
Key Jose Abreu Prospect Cards
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2013 Leaf Memories 1960 Autographs Jose Abreu #JA2
The 2013 Leaf Memories Jose Abreu autograph uses the 1960 Leaf design. The black-and-white photo is a major contrast from his other early cards. Besides the basic version, there are a handful of color-based parallels.
2013 Leaf Metal Draft National Pride Autographs Jose Abreu #JA2
2013 Leaf Metal Draft released shortly before Abreu signed with the White Sox. Although the redemption is inserted in a chromium-style product, the final card isn't. It's a special edition National Pride autograph. Like most Leaf redemptions, it doesn't mention whether it's the base version or a parallel. That's revealed once it's redeemed.
2013 Leaf Trinity Baseball Inscription Autographs Jose Abreu #DTI-JA2 #/30
All of the 2013 Leaf Trinity Jose Abreu autographs come with an inscription, which makes it a standout among the slugger's first cards. The base version is limited to 30 numbered copies, however, there are a handful of rarer parallels.
2013 Panini Elite Extra Edition Jose Abreu #93
Although Abreu isn't wearing a White Sox uniform, he is holding one here. If you're looking for a reasonably priced Jose Abreu card, this is it. Besides the basic version, there are a lot of parallels to chase in 2013 Elite Extra Edition.
2013 Panini Elite Extra Edition Franchise Futures Signatures Jose Abreu #93 #/799
Numbered to 799, the 2013 Elite Extra Edition card isn't terribly rare. There's a bit of a tradeoff. It should keep prices a lot more reasonable, which is a good thing for those on a tighter budget. It also keeps the supply a little more plentiful. The signature is on a sticker, the only 2013 Jose Abreu to do so.
2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks Jose Abreu #32
Like the Elite Extra Edition card, this 2013 Prizm one is very affordable. If you're looking for something more valuable, the Prizm parallels add some rainbow flair.
2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks Prospect Signatures Jose Abreu #48
This card uses a much better photo than Abreu's base card. The on-card signature is the big star, though. Besides a basic version, there is a handful of colorful Prizm parallels.
2013 Topps Tribute World Baseball Classic Edition Jose Abreu #98
Topps' high-end spin on the World Baseball Classic has struggled on the secondary market. However, the 2013 Tribute WBC set is notable for having the first major Jose Abreu card. Pictured as a member of the Cuban national team, it carries the familiar Topps Tribute foil look. Besides the base version, there are also three numbered parallels: Gold (#/25), Red (#/5) and Purple (1/1)
2014 Bowman Prospects Jose Abreu #BP17
Many collectors will treat the 2014 Bowman Baseball as a rookie. In fact, it arrived after his first rookies. Abreu is also in a White Sox jersey. However, it's numbered as part of the Prospects portion of the set so, technically, it's an insert. But that's just a label and it really doesn't take away from its popularity.
2014 Bowman Chrome Prospects Jose Abreu #BCP17
Like the basic Bowman card, this is technically an insert. It comes with a slightly more premium look and feel. Although it's a Bowman Chrome card, it's found in 2014 Bowman Baseball packs.
2014 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Jose Abreu #BCAP-JAB
Also found in 2014 Bowman Baseball, this will be one of the top Jose Abreu cards even if it's not an official rookie. It's an insert, but Bowman Chrome Autographs have, in many ways, become the modern equivalent of a baseball rookie card—at least the way they're traded and coveted. Besides the basic version, it has lots of colorful parallels including a one-of-one Superfractor.
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