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Jose Altuve (06/05/90) is a six-time All-Star and World Series champion who has been with the Astros since making his MLB debut in 2011.
SHOP JOSE ALTUVE ROOKIE CARDS ON EBAY
Originally signed as a 16-year-old in his native Venezuela in 2007, the 5’5″ second baseman belies his diminutive stature when batting.
He earned the AL Hank Aaron Award (2017) and won the Silver Slugger Award five times in a row between 2014 and 2018. He has faced difficulties reclaiming his pre-2020 form but still has time on his side. We’ve developed a trio of the best Jose Altuve rookie cards and investment advice looking toward the future.
Best Jose Altuve Rookie Cards
With only four options, it’s not like you’re spoiled for choice with Altuve’s rookie cards. Parallels help increase the overall rarity, especially when looking at graded versions.
2010 Jose Altuve Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP137
This 2010 BCP release is still valued highly as a prospect insert rather than an RC. It’s the first card to show Altuve in his Astros uniform, even if it doesn’t have the most outstanding design. The image of Altuve is slightly stiff, and the facsimile auto at the bottom isn’t the best addition.
Nonetheless, it’s still a viable investment piece, especially considering the numerous Refractor parallels.
2010 Bowman Chrome Prospect Refractor Parallels: Refractor, Purple Refractor (/999), Blue Refractor (/250), Gold Refractor (/50), Orange Refractor (/25), Red Refractor (/5), Superfractor (1/1), Printing Plates (1/1)
2011 Jose Altuve Topps Update RC #US132
From the 2011 Topps Update set made famous by the inclusion of Mike Trout, Altuve’s card is a decidedly less expensive option in comparison. It features a strange image of the player as he celebrates while being held by a teammate, and numerous parallels abound. Gem mint copies always attract a large number of bids at auction.
2011 Topps Update Parallels: Dark Red, Blue, Platinum Diamond, Cognac Diamond, Gold (/2011), Black (/60), Hope Diamond (/60), Platinum (1/1), Canary Diamond (1/1), Printing Plates (1/1)
2011 Jose Altuve Bowman Chrome Draft RC #11
Finally, we have Altuve’s 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft RC. With a range of distinctive Refractor parallels, it shares the same look as the base Bowman Draft edition, adding chromium to enhance the overall design.
Altuve is pictured in a great action shot as he prepares to throw a ball, and the card has a thick black border. Both versions share the same card number (#11), which can confuse collectors.
2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractor Parallels: Refractors, Blue Refractors (/199), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Purple (/10), Red Refractors (/5), Printing Plates, Super-Fractors (1/1), Canary Diamond (1/1)
Jose Altuve Rookie Card Value
What are the most expensive Jose Altuve rookie cards? The most valuable Jose Altuve RC is the 2011 Topps Update Wal-Mart Blue Border RC #US132 and the 2010 Bowman Chrome Purple Refractor RC #BCP137.
Looking to purchase a Jose Altuve rookie card and need advice? Email advice@goldcardauctions.com. If you would like a free estimated value on a Jose Altuve baseball card, email value@goldcardauctions.com.
Investment Advice
Unless you’re looking at the rarest RCs, Altuve’s cards probably aren’t worth as much as you might expect.
Altuve was a major figure in the Astros’ cheating scandal, which came to light in 2019, and his reputation did take a hit in later months. It also coincided with a lack of form, which some have suggested could be a form of the yips.
Astros manager Dusty Baker addressed the issue recently;
“Last year was hard on him, hard on all of us, there are things in life sometimes that people don’t think to affect us, and then indeed they do. I didn’t know him [prior to last year]. I respected him from the other side of the field, but I see him singing and he has that bounce in his step and appeared happy. He’s going to have a big year for us.”
In any case, it explains why his cards aren’t as coveted as they once were.
And even if he does make a comeback to his old self we would never touch his rookie cards based on the cheating scandal.