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Top 5 Nick Castellanos Rookie Cards

From Prospect to Powerhouse: Charting Nick Castellanos' Journey Through His Top Rookie Cards
October 19, 2023
min read

Nick Castellanos has emerged as one of the top young sluggers in Major League Baseball. After getting his feet wet in the big leagues with the Detroit Tigers, Castellanos had a real breakout campaign in 2019 with the Chicago Cubs. Naturally, collectors are clamoring for Nick Castellanos rookie cards.

While he doesn't have any huge mainstream rookie cards from products like Bowman Chrome or Topps Series 1, Castellanos still has some notable first-year releases. The following guide looks at five of the most important Nick Castellanos rookie card options for collectors.

1. 2013 Bowman Draft Chrome Autographs

While Castellanos doesn't have an official MLB rookie card, his 2013 Bowman Draft Chrome autographs are treated as his top rookies. The on-card autographs come in a rainbow of refractors parallels. Given Bowman's prospecting focus, these were eagerly anticipated at the time of release.

The base version remains easy to find and affordable. However, the toughest Refractor parallels can run well into the hundreds. There are also printing plates and redemptions that were later fulfilled as autographed cards.

Key Parallels:

  • Refractors - /499
  • Purple Refractors - /250
  • Blue Refractors - /150
  • Green Refractors - /99
  • Gold Refractors - /50
  • Orange Refractors - /25
  • Red Refractors - /5
  • SuperFractors - 1/1

Bowman Draft has long been the go-to MLB prospecting product and collects have treated Castellanos' 2013 Bowman autographs as his main rookie even though he already had MLB experience at that point.

2. 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects

While he doesn't have an official rookie from his MLB debut season, Castellanos does still have some early Bowman releases that carry solid value. 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects offers an early on-card autograph and one of his first Bowman cards.

Given the early production, there are limited parallels, mostly focusing on atomic refractors and the standalone printing plates. However, the strong Bowman brand and early release still make this a notable option. This isn't as coveted as his 2013 Bowman release, but it remains important.

3. 2014 Topps Series 1 Venezuelan Variation SP

Castellanos has several short prints from 2014 Topps Series 1 that pair him with notable MLB stars. The Venezuelan Variation pairs Castellanos with fellow slugger Miguel Cabrera. While not impossible to find, it maintains a decent premium over the base card.

The overall design isn't the most appealing, but the photo capturing Castellanos taking batting practice makes it one of his better-looking rookie options. Collectors can also find several other 2014 SP variations that include photo pairings with Mike Trout and Robinson Cano.

4. 2013 Bowman Platinum Prospects Autographs

Bowman Platinum Prospects comes towards the end of the prospect cycle as players are often promoted to the majors the following year. Castellanos was featured in 2013 Bowman Platinum, which has autographed and relic versions.

Given the late-prospect release, print runs are much smaller compared to something like Bowman Chrome. There are also strong parallels, including rare atomic refractors.

While more limited than Bowman Draft, Bowman Platinum doesn't quite carry the same elite prospecting prestige. However, the on-card autographs and strong brand pedigree still make this a great option for collectors.

5. 2013 Topps Update Series RC #US327

While he doesn't have a widely recognized rookie in a flagship Topps product, Castellanos does have several cards in 2013 Topps Update. Card #US327 is seen as his main rookie card from the Update set.

The large flagship checklist makes it an easy find today. However, if Castellanos continues to blossom into a slugging star, this seemingly common rookie card could take on added importance in the coming years.

While overlooked now, dozens of current stars have seemingly insignificant rookie cards in Topps Update that later become cornerstone cards. There's a chance Castellanos could join that group if he reaches his immense potential.

Other Notable Nick Castellanos Rookie Cards

While these five represent the key Nick Castellanos rookie cards, there are plenty of other first-year options for collectors:

  • 2013 Bowman Inception Autographs - Another early prospect autograph release.
  • 2013 Elite Extra Edition - High-end prospect and rookie debut from Panini with autographs and relics.
  • 2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks - First Prizm cards for Castellanos.
  • 2015 Bowman Chrome - Last Bowman cards and a place in the Bowman pipeline.
  • 2014 Topps Supreme - An early All-Star card.

Although Castellanos has been in the league for several years now, he is just entering his prime. That means interest in his rookie cards should only gain momentum in the coming seasons as he hopefully realizes his potential. Collectors looking to add rookies of this emerging MLB talent have plenty of great options.Nick Castellanos has emerged as one of the top young sluggers in Major League Baseball. After getting his feet wet in the big leagues with the Detroit Tigers, Castellanos had a real breakout campaign in 2019 with the Chicago Cubs. Naturally, collectors are clamoring for Nick Castellanos rookie cards.

While he doesn't have any huge mainstream rookie cards from products like Bowman Chrome or Topps Series 1, Castellanos still has some notable first-year releases. The following guide looks at five of the most important Nick Castellanos rookie card options for collectors.

1. 2013 Bowman Draft Chrome Autographs

While Castellanos doesn't have an official MLB rookie card, his 2013 Bowman Draft Chrome autographs are treated as his top rookies. The on-card autographs come in a rainbow of refractors parallels. Given Bowman's prospecting focus, these were eagerly anticipated at the time of release.

The base version remains easy to find and affordable. However, the toughest Refractor parallels can run well into the hundreds. There are also printing plates and redemptions that were later fulfilled as autographed cards.

Key Parallels:

  • Refractors - /499
  • Purple Refractors - /250
  • Blue Refractors - /150
  • Green Refractors - /99
  • Gold Refractors - /50
  • Orange Refractors - /25
  • Red Refractors - /5
  • SuperFractors - 1/1

Bowman Draft has long been the go-to MLB prospecting product and collects have treated Castellanos' 2013 Bowman autographs as his main rookie even though he already had MLB experience at that point.

2. 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects

While he doesn't have an official rookie from his MLB debut season, Castellanos does still have some early Bowman releases that carry solid value. 2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects offers an early on-card autograph and one of his first Bowman cards.

Given the early production, there are limited parallels, mostly focusing on atomic refractors and the standalone printing plates. However, the strong Bowman brand and early release still make this a notable option. This isn't as coveted as his 2013 Bowman release, but it remains important.

3. 2014 Topps Series 1 Venezuelan Variation SP

Castellanos has several short prints from 2014 Topps Series 1 that pair him with notable MLB stars. The Venezuelan Variation pairs Castellanos with fellow slugger Miguel Cabrera. While not impossible to find, it maintains a decent premium over the base card.

The overall design isn't the most appealing, but the photo capturing Castellanos taking batting practice makes it one of his better-looking rookie options. Collectors can also find several other 2014 SP variations that include photo pairings with Mike Trout and Robinson Cano.

4. 2013 Bowman Platinum Prospects Autographs

Bowman Platinum Prospects comes towards the end of the prospect cycle as players are often promoted to the majors the following year. Castellanos was featured in 2013 Bowman Platinum, which has autographed and relic versions.

Given the late-prospect release, print runs are much smaller compared to something like Bowman Chrome. There are also strong parallels, including rare atomic refractors.

While more limited than Bowman Draft, Bowman Platinum doesn't quite carry the same elite prospecting prestige. However, the on-card autographs and strong brand pedigree still make this a great option for collectors.

5. 2013 Topps Update Series RC #US327

While he doesn't have a widely recognized rookie in a flagship Topps product, Castellanos does have several cards in 2013 Topps Update. Card #US327 is seen as his main rookie card from the Update set.

The large flagship checklist makes it an easy find today. However, if Castellanos continues to blossom into a slugging star, this seemingly common rookie card could take on added importance in the coming years.

While overlooked now, dozens of current stars have seemingly insignificant rookie cards in Topps Update that later become cornerstone cards. There's a chance Castellanos could join that group if he reaches his immense potential.

Other Notable Nick Castellanos Rookie Cards

While these five represent the key Nick Castellanos rookie cards, there are plenty of other first-year options for collectors:

  • 2013 Bowman Inception Autographs - Another early prospect autograph release.
  • 2013 Elite Extra Edition - High-end prospect and rookie debut from Panini with autographs and relics.
  • 2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks - First Prizm cards for Castellanos.
  • 2015 Bowman Chrome - Last Bowman cards and a place in the Bowman pipeline.
  • 2016 Topps Update All-Star Rookie - An early All-Star card.

Although Castellanos has been in the league for several years now, he is just entering his prime. That means interest in his rookie cards should only gain momentum in the coming seasons as he hopefully realizes his potential. Collectors looking to add rookies of this emerging MLB talent have plenty of great options.

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