2019 Bowman Best Baseball - Chase Rookies & Top Prospects

(Excluding Wander Franco)

From the Base Set (Veterans/Rookies #1-70)

  1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (#4 - Toronto Blue Jays)

    • Why a Chase: Debuted in 2019 as a hyped generational talent. His base Rookie Card and parallels (e.g., Refractors) were top targets, with added value from autographs in "Power Producers Autographs" (PPA-VG) and "1999 Franchise Favorites Autographs" (99FF-VG). His long-term stardom kept demand high.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (PPA-VG, 99FF-VG).

  2. Fernando Tatis Jr. (#11 - San Diego Padres)

    • Why a Chase: Electric 2019 rookie season (.317 AVG, 22 HR in 84 games) made him a hobby darling. His base card, paired with autographs in "Neophyte Sensations Autographs" (NSA-FT), "Power Producers Autographs" (PPA-FT), and "1999 Franchise Favorites Autographs" (99FF-FT), made him a premier chase.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (NSA-FT, PPA-FT, 99FF-FT).

  3. Pete Alonso (#14 - New York Mets)

    • Why a Chase: Broke the MLB rookie home run record (53 HR) in 2019 and won NL Rookie of the Year. His base card was a must-have, with autographs in "Neophyte Sensations Autographs" (NSA-PA) and "Power Producers Autographs" (PPA-PA) amplifying his chase status.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (NSA-PA, PPA-PA).

  4. Yordan Alvarez (#36 - Houston Astros)

    • Why a Chase: AL Rookie of the Year in 2019 (.313 AVG, 27 HR in 87 games). His base card surged in value, and autographs in "Neophyte Sensations Autographs" (NSA-YA) and "Power Producers Autographs" (PPA-YA) were big pulls for collectors.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (NSA-YA, PPA-YA).

  5. Bo Bichette (#29 - Toronto Blue Jays)

    • Why a Chase: Impressive 2019 debut (.311 AVG, 11 HR in 46 games) and famous lineage fueled interest. His base card and "Neophyte Sensations Autographs" (NSA-BB) were chases for Blue Jays fans and prospectors.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (NSA-BB).

  6. Kyle Lewis (#40 - Seattle Mariners)

    • Why a Chase: Late 2019 call-up (18 games, .268 AVG, 6 HR) hinted at upside, and he won AL Rookie of the Year in 2020. His base card and "Neophyte Sensations Autographs" (NSA-KL) were targets for Mariners collectors.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (NSA-KL, B19-KL).

  7. Nick Solak (#45 - Texas Rangers)

    • Why a Chase: Solid 2019 debut (.293 AVG in 33 games) after a trade from the Rays. A sleeper chase with his base card and "Neophyte Sensations Autographs" (NSA-NS), appealing to Rangers fans.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (NSA-NS).

From the Top Prospects Subset (TP-1 to TP-30)

These are pre-MLB prospects with Rookie Card eligibility, valued for their draft status, hype, and autograph potential.

  1. Adley Rutschman (TP-1 - Baltimore Orioles)

    • Why a Chase: No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, pegged as a franchise catcher. His Top Prospects card and "Best of 2019 Autographs" (B19-AR) were massive chases (some as redemptions). His 2022 debut and 2023 breakout confirmed his worth.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (B19-AR).

  2. Bobby Witt Jr. (TP-2 - Kansas City Royals)

    • Why a Chase: No. 2 pick in 2019, an elite shortstop prospect with power and speed. His Top Prospects card and "Best of 2019 Autographs" (B19-BW) were highly sought after. His 2022 debut and 2023 breakout (30 HR, 49 SB) boosted his early cards.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (B19-BW).

  3. CJ Abrams (TP-6 - San Diego Padres)

    • Why a Chase: No. 6 pick in 2019, a speedy shortstop prospect. While MacKenzie Gore is TP-6 in the base set, Abrams’ "Best of 2019 Autographs" (B19-CA) was a chase for Padres collectors. His 2022 MLB debut added value.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (B19-CA).

  4. Jo Adell (TP-7 - Los Angeles Angels)

    • Why a Chase: Top outfield prospect with power potential. His Top Prospects card and "Best of 2019 Autographs" (B19-JA) were chases, though his MLB career has been uneven by 2025.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (B19-JA).

  5. Andrew Vaughn (TP-8 - Chicago White Sox)

    • Why a Chase: No. 3 pick in 2019, a polished college hitter. His Top Prospects card and "Best of 2019 Autographs" (B19-AV) drew White Sox fans and investors.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (B19-AV).

  6. Gavin Lux (TP-15 - Los Angeles Dodgers)

    • Why a Chase: Top Dodgers prospect with a 2019 MLB cameo (23 games, .240 AVG). His Top Prospects card and "Best of 2019 Autographs" (B19-GL) were chases for LA collectors, later validated by his 2020 World Series contribution.

    • Autograph Availability: Yes (B19-GL).

Why These Are the Chase Rookies

  • Immediate Impact: Guerrero Jr., Tatis Jr., Alonso, and Alvarez had stellar 2019 MLB debuts, driving demand for their base cards and autographs.

  • Prospect Pedigree: Rutschman, Witt Jr., and others were top 2019 draft picks or elite prospects, making their pre-MLB cards (especially autos) high-priority chases.

  • Autograph Appeal: Scarce autographed versions (e.g., Best of 2019, Neophyte Sensations) in low-numbered parallels increased their desirability.

  • Market Context: The 2019 hobby boom amplified the focus on rookies and prospects, especially those with star potential.

Honorable Mentions

  • Eloy Jiménez (#30 - Chicago White Sox): 2019 rookie (.267 AVG, 31 HR), but RC eligibility began in 2018. Still a chase with "Power Producers Autographs" (PPA-EJ).

  • Nico Hoerner (Chicago Cubs): No base card, but "Neophyte Sensations Autographs" (NSA-NH) and "Best of 2019 Autographs" (B19-NH) were sleeper chases.

  • Will Smith (Los Angeles Dodgers): No base card, but "Neophyte Sensations Autographs" (NSA-WS) and "Best of 2019 Autographs" (B19-WS) gained traction.

Top Chase Rookies Summary (Excluding Franco)

  1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Base #4, Autos (PPA-VG, 99FF-VG)

  2. Fernando Tatis Jr. - Base #11, Autos (NSA-FT, PPA-FT, 99FF-FT)

  3. Pete Alonso - Base #14, Autos (NSA-PA, PPA-PA)

  4. Yordan Alvarez - Base #36, Autos (NSA-YA, PPA-YA)

  5. Adley Rutschman - Base TP-1, Auto (B19-AR)

  6. Bobby Witt Jr. - Base TP-2, Auto (B19-BW)