Many collectors probably are wondering what the value of the best Joey Votto rookie cards will be long term. Votto, much like some of the stars of the past, has played on a very underwhelming Cincinnati team for his entire career. So he hasn’t exactly become household name material. However, he’s unquestionably one of the top players in the game and has been for several years.
The big question for collectors is will Votto be a staple with the Reds or will his stock rise with extra exposure with an imminent trade to a higher exposure team?
His raw statistics simply don’t lie when it comes to Hall of Fame type numbers. Votto has already compiled four National League All Star trips during his stint which began back in 2007 with the Reds.
The Canadian born baseball player might also have a significantly higher value in his home country. Born in Toronto in 1983, Votto attended Richview Collegiate Institute for high school. Fans can get a glimpse in this video of what Major League scouts saw in Votto at such a young age that made him such a high pick.
Because of his considerable talent, Votto was the 4th round selection of the Reds back in 2002. Little did the Reds perhaps know they were getting one of the better players in franchise history.
Votto has always been a contender to win MVP honors but has played on a team that just hasn’t been as competitive as most. Although Cincinnati has kept Votto around, they’ve felt obliged to trade key parts around him to shift salary. For that reason, the stock for Votto might not be as high as if he were to have played in a major metropolitan city like Los Angeles or New York. So goes the paradox for baseball greats; loyalty to a single team for an entire career or ask for a trade to play on a more competitive and higher exposure squad? Votto, for his part, hasn’t been exactly overly vocal. He’s the guy who makes noise on the field with his overall consistency.
Votto’s consistency is appealing. If he manages to play for several more seasons, Votto would be approaching some incredible numbers.
Votto’s official rookie cards were produced in 2008 but he first appeared in prospect sets back in 2002. You’ll find him in Bowman Draft and the ever-popular Bowman Chrome with Refractor (# to 300), X-Fractor (# to 150) and Gold (# to 50) versions among the most sought after Votto baseball cards.
His “official” rookie cards hit the market in 2008 with Upper Deck’s SP and Topps standard issue cards in the mix.
You can check out the list of most watched Joey Votto cards from all years on eBay via the live list below.
