Mookie Betts is the ultimate five-tool player, with the ability to excel at literally every aspect of baseball. At his peak, the outfielder was probably the best player in baseball and, in recent years, has only been outdone by Mike Trout. The 2018 season was particularly memorable as one of the most outstanding performances in the annals of the national pastime. Betts is the first and last player ever to call the MVP, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and batting title his own in the same season. Oh, and did we mention that he won the World Series title with the Red Sox? Because Mookie totally did.
Indeed, with 6 All-Star selections, an MVP, two World Series titles, 5 silver slugger awards, and 6 Gold Gloves, Betts seems like a pretty obvious future Hall of Famer. And Mookie can also regularly bowl 300 and was a star basketball player in high school, despite standing only 5" 9 tall. His defeated rivals also report that he regularly annihilates all golf and bowling competitions. Betts can also reportedly solve a Rubik's Cube in about a minute and always land the biggest fish in the pond. Legit, this is a talented dude. So, it's no surprise he can run, make contact, hit for power, and field with enviable aplomb.
Betts was drafted relatively low, at 172nd overall, in the 2011 MLB draft due to concerns about his power. But this small player learned to whack the ball and now has 230 home runs. With that ability in his arsenal, Betts is probably his generation's most well-rounded baseball player. Therefore, it's a no-brainer that Mookie Betts cards are an excellent long-term investment.
Which Mookie Betts Rookie Cards Should You Collect?
Because Mookie was a low draft pick and didn't have much power, he was kind of overlooked by the Baseball cards hobby when drafted in 2011. Also, Bowman wasn't releasing as many prospect cards back in those days. So we didn't get our first shiny Mookie Betts rookie cards until 2013, relatively late in the game. That means there are fewer early Mookie Betts rookie cards than for most modern players of this caliber. But Mookie's under-the-radar rise to power (literally and figuratively) has some advantages. These cards are often scarce, ensuring higher long-term value for the best Mookie Betts rookie cards.
2014 Donruss The Rookies Mookie Betts #50
A PSA 10 sold for $60.
No one considers this an essential Mookie Betts rookie card, but completists will want it for their personal collection. The 2014 Donruss The Rookies Mookie Betts #50 card has that classic Donruss look we all love. But unforgivably, it does not feature the coveted "Rated Rookie" logo.
2014 Classics Mookie Betts Rookie Card #169
A PSA 10 sold for $42.
The 2014 Classics Mookie Betts Rookie Card #169 has a classiness that most of its Topps equivalents can't match. But despite its appealing appearance, this Mookie Betts rookie card is limited by several factors. It's a simple base card in a release that was trying to be high-end. It is also unlicensed like the other Panini cards. And finally, this release has been discontinued and is now relatively obscure.
2014 Mookie Betts Choice Minor League Rookie Card #4
A PSA 10 sold for $70.
There are quite a few Mookie minor-league baseball cards. We selected the 2014 Mookie Betts Choice Minor League Rookie Card #4 because it has that junky look we expect from a minor league card. And, of course, it celebrates 30 years of the Portland Sea Dogs, a double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Congrats Sea Dogs!
2014 Topps Update Mookie Betts Bats Rookie Card #US-26
A PSA 10 sold for $147.50.
The 2014 Topps Update Mookie Betts Bats Rookie Card #US-26 is just a lowly base rookie card. You will not find it going for massive sums anywhere. But our entire hobby was built on cards like this, so let's not neglect their significance. The design for 2014 Topps Baseball card was nothing to write home about. It looks like several other visual concepts the company used at that time, and they often did so better. But the picture is a classic rookie, of a young, hopeful, budding superstar focusing on what he does best.
Meanwhile, the classic RC logo on the card works beautifully. The card also comes in several lovely variations, including camo and black, and gold as well. Those will, of course, garner more value.
2014 Topps Heritage High Number Mookie Betts Rookie Card #H558
A BGS 10 sold for $226.
Heritage isn't for everyone. The set completists and fans of the old-fashioned aesthetic, complete with clearly posed photos, love it. Not everyone else does. But the 2014 Topps Heritage High Number Mookie Betts Rookie Card #H558 is a perfect card in that classic mold. The green color, offsetting the Red Sox banner and RC logo, make for the kind of rookie card no baseball collector can be immune to. There is also a fantastic red ink auto of this Mookie Betts rookie card that is well worth seeking out.
2014 Topps Stadium Club Mookie Betts Rookie Card Rainbow Foil #140
A PSA 10 sold for $240.
The action-shot-centric Topps Stadium Club Baseball release is perfect for a dynamic player like Mookie. His fielding is genuinely a case of poetry in motion. And the 6 golden gloves the Dodgers outfielder holds among his top accomplishments are a testament to that. Meanwhile, the rainbow foil adds a somewhat dreamy tinge to the beautiful sight of Betts preparing to field a particularly tricky incoming fly ball. The 2014 Topps Stadium Club Mookie Betts Rookie Card Rainbow Foil #140 will also likely increase in price as its population is not as high as the base Stadium Club rookie.
2014 Bowman Platinum Relic Autographs Mookie Betts #AR-MB
A PSA 10 went for $450.
In 2014, Bowman Platinum mostly ignored Mookie Betts and didn't release a base card for the prospect. Big mistake, guys. But we are lucky that they put this autographed relic in the release. Thus, the 2014 Bowman Platinum Relic Autographs Mookie Betts #AR-MB became his first licensed relic and auto card. That makes this card the closest thing to a legit Mookie Betts RPA. Too bad the design is unattractive, and the auto is on a sticker.
2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks Prospect Signatures Mookie Betts #97
A PSA 10 sold for $743.
In 2013 there was less of a gap in popularity between Bowman and Panini draft offerings like the 2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks. So, there are quite a few Panini unlicensed Betts prospect cards. The 2013 Panini Prizm Perennial Draft Picks Prospect Signatures Mookie Betts #97 has that futuristic look if you are into that. But more importantly, a clear and clean on-card autograph of the future superstar.
2014 Bowman Chrome Prospects Mookie Betts Chrome-Purple Refractor #BCP109
A PSA 10 sold for $860.
The Bowman Prospects line wasn't as extensive or essential as it is now but was starting to become its own in 2014. Therefore, we have some beautiful but underappreciated Mookie Betts Bowman cards. The 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospects Mookie Betts Chrome-Purple Refractor #BCP109 is an insert Mookie Betts rookie rather than the standard base one. Making it a bit less common. However, there is a population count of 5,509 for the base version of 2014 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP109 Mookie Betts. Therefore, we suggest a parallel like the Purple Refractor, of which there are a mere 4 PSA 10s.
2014 Topps Chrome Update Series Mookie Betts RC Gold Refractor #MB-46
A PSA 10 went for $1,051.
By 2014, Topps Chrome was edging out the classic flagship releases as the hobby's baseball rookie card of choice. Therefore, the chrome versions of Mookie's rookie cards are probably the way to go. The 2014 Topps Chrome Update #MB-46 Mookie Betts base card has three versions (base, gold, and black), but we prefer the gold because of its extraordinary look and relatively strong value. The stands in the background really pop out in the 2014 Topps Chrome Update Series Mookie Betts RC Gold Refractor #MB-46, as a contrast to the beautiful image of Betts running into the outfield.
2014 Bowman Sterling Mookie Betts Rookie Card #17
A PSA 10 sold for $1,500.
You may wonder why a base card is going for well over $1,000 here. That is because the 2014 Bowman Sterling Mookie Betts Rookie Card #17 isn't just any base card. At that time, Bowman Sterling was printed at reasonably low numbers. There are only 31 PSA 10s of this baby. And Bowman cards are now accepted as the go-to rookies for the 21st Century. And let's face it, the design may be a bit strange, but the card is gorgeous. I especially like Mookie's position, which is placed in a circle that looks like a cross between a baseball, a planet, and a forcefield.
Also, take the $1,500 value for a PSA 10 with a grain of salt. The value of a gem mint tripled from 2020 to 2021. There have been no sales since so I can only imagine it is worth more. You can pick up raw versions for $300 or so and send them in for grading (read our guide about when to grade your sports cards) . You will be happy that you did.
2014 Topps Supreme Mookie Betts RC #SA-MB Autograph #/50
A PSA 10 goes for $1,800.
Topps Supreme Baseball was discontinued after last appearing in 2015. It was caught between trying to appease high end collectors and being affordable, and slipped between the cracks. But we shouldn’t allow that to undermine the beauty and value of the cards Topps produced under this moniker. The 2014 Topps Supreme Mookie Betts RC #SA-MB Autograph #/50 may be the most beautiful of his rookie autos. The almost classic Greek aesthetic background works perfecty with the action shot and Mookie’s signature.
2014 Topps Five Star Mookie Betts Rookie Card #FSA-MBE Autograph Green #/20
A PSA 9 sold for $2,000.
In 2014 we had far fewer limited numbered autos available than today. Therefore, we are happy to have the 2014 Topps Five Star Mookie Betts Rookie Card #FSA-MBE Autograph Green #/20 available. The Topps Five Star series has never fully taken off, but this is a truly beautiful and beloved Mookie rookie card nonetheless. And one thing we have to say in favor of this brand is the autos are on card and spectacular.
2014 National Treasures Mookie Betts RC #210 Autograph Jersey #/25
A PSA 10 is selling for $2,600.
Yes, I know. This card is totally unlicensed. Therefore, many baseball card fans look down on Panini's National Treasures releases. But the thing is, since Topps equivalents like Topps Sterling Baseball have yet to eclipse their Panini equivalents, these cards do well. Look up some of the prices that Panini National Treasures Baseball receives in comparison, and you will see the hobby value of these cards well. Say what you want about unlicensed cards; I dare you to look at the 2014 National Treasures Mookie Betts RC #210 Autograph Jersey #/25 card and tell me it isn't stunning. In particular, the ones with multi-colored patches stand out as some of the most attractive Mookie Betts rookie cards
2014 Topps Update Mookie Betts Smiling In The Dugout Rookie Card #US-26
A PSA 10 sold for $2,800.
There are many variations of the 2014 Topps Update Mookie Betts rookie card. Most of them follow the standard route and color and parallel versions of the main card. However, the 2014 Topps Update Mookie Betts Smiling In The Dugout Rookie Card #US-26 card features a different picture altogether. This one showcases Mookie's killer smile instead of his intimidating bat stance. It isn't all that rare. There are 339 PSA-graded copies of this card, of which 207 are gem mints. But compare that to a population of 6,844 for the base card, and you can see why it goes for a healthy price.
Final Word On The The Top 15 Mookie Betts Rookie Cards
It is fascinating to see how the hobby has changed since Mookie came up to "The Show" in 2014. Although many of our favorite contemporary brands were already around, there were fewer options than we expect now for a promising prospect. But that makes it easier to choose the right card to invest in. And luckily, among the relatively few cards here, we can find some wonderful gems.
In addition, Mookie Betts cards are somewhat undervalued right now. Fans are chasing younger players and thinking of guys who will soon be in the Hall of Fame. That means they are sleeping on mid-career superstars like Mookie. So, this is an excellent time to pull the trigger.
