Xander Bogaerts became just the fifth player from the island nation of Aruba to reach the major leagues when he was called up by the Boston Red Sox in 2013. Despite playing in just 18 regular season games he became an instrumental part of the Red Sox postseason team that won the World Series. Bogaerts was named the starting shortstop on the American League’s 2016 All-Star squad and was awarded the Silver Slugger award in 2015 and ’16. Comparisons to Nomar Garciaparra have caused rabid Red Sox fans to covet his baseball cards.
Here is a look at some of Xander Bogaerts’ hottest rookie cards.
2011 Early Releases
Bogaerts’ first cards were produced by Leaf in 2011 when he was a member of the Red Sox Single-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive. Leaf included Bogaerts in two sets, 2011 Leaf Metal Draft and 2011 Leaf Valiant Draft. Carrying autographs, they also included colored parallels, 1/1s, and printing plates. Since Leaf doesn’t have an MLB license, these are affordable despite their status as Bogaerts’ earliest issued cards and autographs.
2012 Prospect Cards
In 2012 Bogaerts was promoted to the Red Sox Single-A+ affiliate, the Salem (VA) Red Sox, and later the Double-A affiliate, the Portland (ME) Sea Dogs. 2012 was also the first year that Bogaerts cards licensed by Major League Baseball were produced. The most popular of these was 2012 Bowman Chrome, which included autographs and numbered parallels in addition to standard base cards and refractors. Bogaerts’ 2012 Bowman Chrome cards remain his most desirable mainstream issues.
Other sets that Bogaerts was included in that year included 2012 Bowman, 2012 Bowman Sterling, and 2012 Topps Heritage Minors. A handful of Bogaerts cards were also included in 2012 Bowman Draft, 2012 Bowman Platinum, and 2012 Topps Pro Debut.
2014 Rookie Cards
Although Bogaerts had cards released in 2011, ’12, and ’13, his official rookie cards were included in 2014 releases. While not as popular and valuable as his prospect cards they make an affordable alternative while still being considered his true rookie cards. Among the Bogaerts cards released that year were his first Topps’ branded card in 2014 Topps Series 1.
As the starting shortstop of the world champion Boston Red Sox, Bogaerts was included in virtually every major release that year. Some of the 2014 Bogaerts rookie cards worth nothing come from 2014 Bowman, 2014 Bowman Chrome, 2014 Finest, 2014 Topps Allen and Ginter, 2014 Topps Chipz, 2014 Topps Chrome, 2014 Topps Gypsy Queen, and 2014 Topps Tribute. 2014 also saw rookie cards issued by Panini including 2014 Panini National Treasures and 2014 Panini Prizm. Many of these sets included autograph and memorabilia insert cards, numbered parallels, and unique 1/1 cards.
Below is a live list of the most watched Xander Bogaerts cards on eBay.
