Freddie Freeman Rookie Card Rankings and Other Key Early Cards
As one of baseball’s most universally respected players, any Freddie Freeman Rookie Card carries a certain amount of swagger. Although he has plenty of cards from his first full season in the majors, just 14 come from base sets and fall under the traditional definition of an RC.
In some ways, that’s a lot but it’s a far cry from the dozens that a lot of other modern players have. Not only that, but it’s a fairly straightforward lineup where pretty much all of them are readily available.
After making his debut as a September call-up in 2010, it was too late to include Freddie Freeman Rookie Cards in that year’s products. They had to wait for 2011. The first baseman, along with his easily distinguishable “FF” signature, made regular appearances in Topps products over the course of the year.
Here’s a breakdown of all 14 Freddie Freeman Rookie Cards, ranked based on what’s the most valuable.
Most Valuable Freddie Freeman Rookie Card Rankings
The following list includes base Freddie Freeman cards with the RC tag in the Beckett database. Inserts and parallels have not been taken into consideration. A comprehensive checklist of Freddie Freeman cards can be found here. Rankings are based primarily on the Beckett price guide.
1. 2011 Topps Triple Threads Freddie Freeman RC Auto Triple Relic #123 /99
This is the only Freddie Freeman Rookie Card to include an autograph. It’s also the lone memorabilia card on the list. If you’re a fan of serial-numbered cards, this is the only option as well. So even though Triple Threads Rookie Cards can sometimes be overlooked, that’s not the case here as it’s the only super-premium option outside of inserts.
Parallels: Sepia (/75), Emerald (/50), Gold (/25), Sapphire (/10), Platinum (1/1), White Whale Printing Plates (1/1), Wood (1/1)
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2. 2011 Topps Chrome Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #173
Without much in regards high-end, you quickly get into brands that are historically more popular despite their mid-range leanings going by today’s standards. The 2011 Topps Chrome Freddie Freeman Rookie Card has the direct connection to the flagship release only with the upgraded stock. It’s joined by almost a dozen different Refractors.
2011 Topps Chrome has one of the most popular Freddie Freeman Rookie Autographs as well. The layout has a lot of similarities to the base card but there’s a large banner meant for the signature that takes out much of the photo.
Parallels: Refractors, Orange Refractors, X-fractors, Purple Refractors (/499), Atomic Refractors (/225), Blue Refractors (/99), Sepia Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Red Refractors (/25), Gold Canary Diamond Refractors (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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3. 2011 Finest Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #72
The final chromium Freddie Freeman Rookie Card is found in 2011 Topps Finest. The Refractor rainbow has a lot of familiar colors but some of the print runs are different from their more recent counterparts.
Not only does the 2020 National League MVP have an autograph in the product, but an autographed dual relic as well. Both have their own slate of Refractors.
Parallels: Refractors (/549), X-fractors (/299), Green Refractors (/199), Orange Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Red Refractors (/25), Die-Cuts (/10), Purple Refractors (/5), Framed Printing Plates Black (1/1), Framed Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Framed Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Framed Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Gold Canary Diamond Refractors (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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4. 2011 Bowman Chrome Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #185
Let’s face it, save for a couple of exceptions, Bowman Chrome gets the most attention when it’s a “first” and not an RC. But without a lot of premium options out there, this one still stands out among Freeman’s Rookie Cards.
Parallels: Refractors, Blue Refractors (/150), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), Gold Canary Diamond (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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5. 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #335 SP
Similar to Allen & Ginter, there’s a vintage vibe to the Freeman’s RC in 2011 Gypsy Queen. It’s part of the debut of the Topps line, which takes a lot of the general feel of A&G but stripped away much of the non-baseball components to make it more traditional. It’s still a quirky release as a whole, but not as eclectic with its subject matter. Freeman is one of 50 short prints in the base set. That said, at 1:4 packs, they’re not overly tough. Still, as one of the most affordable Freddie Freeman Rookie Cards, it is something to consider.
2011 Topps Gypsy Queen is another product with a rookie-year autograph of the first baseman.
Parallels: Mini, Mini Black, Mini Red Gypsy Queen Back, Framed Stamp (/10), Mini Leather (/10), Framed Printing Plates Black (1/1), Framed Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Framed Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Framed Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Black (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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6. 2011 Bowman Sterling Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #1
Outside of Triple Threads, this is likely to be the toughest Freddie Freeman Rookie Card to find. Base cards are a secondary focus in 2011 Bowman Sterling. Every pack of the product has a pair of autographs, a memorabilia card, one prospect and just one base card. Even then, that base card could be a parallel. Put all that together and it’s understandable why not many are on the market at any given time.
Parallels: Refractors (/199), Gold Refractors (/50), Black Refractors (/25), Purple Refractors (/10), Gold Canary Diamond Refractors (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Red Refractors (1/1)
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7. 2011 Topps Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #145
History is a powerful thing in baseball cards. With a lot of collectors looking for tradition, it brings them to the 2011 Topps Freddie Freeman Rookie Card. It’s nowhere close to his rarest RC, but that doesn’t matter too much because of the line’s reach. It’s a cornerstone card in Series 1.
In 2011, Topps made its 60th anniversary in the sport a focal point in several of their releases. Understandably, none were more so than the main 2011 Topps Baseball set. Part of that includes patterned diamond-themed parallels that have a lot of pop.
Parallels: Cognac Diamond Anniversary, Diamond Anniversary, Factory Set Limited Edition, Target, Walmart Black Border, Gold (/2011), Factory Set Red Border (/245), Factory Set Bonus (/75), Black (/60), Hope Diamond Anniversary (/60), Diamond Anniversary Authentic Diamonds (1/1), Gold Canary Diamond (1/1), Platinum (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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8. 2011 Topps Heritage Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #76
The draw of Freeman’s 2011 Heritage RC isn’t a dynamic — or even original — design. It’s not a stellar photo. It’s nostalgia. The set takes after 1962 Topps Baseball and its woodgrain layout.
Another throwback, this is the only Freddie Freeman Rookie Card without any parallels.
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9. 2011 Topps Opening Day Freddie Freeman RC #70
The 2011 Topps Opening Day Freddie Freeman Rookie Card is a case of hobby déjà vu. It’s virtually identical to flagship Topps card both with its photo and design. The only major difference? The banner logo on the front. Needless to say, this one doesn’t stand out much.
Parallels: Blue (/2011), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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10. 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #198
The 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter Freddie Freeman Rookie Card is an affordable option for those who like the look and feel of older cards but prefer an original design. A&G takes its inspiration from tobacco cards released more than a century earlier and maintains that vibe — particularly with the mini parallels — but there’s a freshness that Topps Heritage doesn’t have.
Parallels: Code Cards, Mini, Mini Allen & Ginter Back, Mini Black, Mini No Card Number, Glossy (/999), Mini Bazooka (/25), Mini Silk (/10), Mini Framed Printing Plates Black (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Mini Wood (1 copy)
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11. 2011 Bowman Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #205
When a player has comparable Bowman and Bowman Chrome cards, the shiny stuff is going to carry bigger values. That said, some prefer the more natural look and brighter photos of regular Bowman. It’s also a solid starting point for those on a tighter budget.
Parallels: Gold, International, Blue (/500), Green (/450), Orange (/250), International Printing Plates Black (1/1), International Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), International Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), International Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Red (1/1)
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12. 2011 Bowman Platinum Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #57
Platinum is definitely one of the more overlooked Bowman lines. Perhaps some of that is its trademark foil stock. There was a time when this was considered a premium printing technique in the hobby. However, put it next to virtually anything Chrome and it looks a little on the cheap side and lacks some pop.
Parallels: Emerald, Gold, Ruby
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12. 2011 Topps Lineage Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #146
2011 Topps Lineage was a one-and-done precursor to the modern Topps Archives line. While that means a lot of retro-themed inserts on the Lineage checklist, the base set is an original design. For a brand to only get one release, it’s a sign that it wasn’t received well. When the base RC doesn’t stand out, the Diamond Anniversary Platinum Refractor parallel. It has the same speckled background as the similar parallels found on Freeman’s Topps RC.
Parallels: 1975 Mini, Diamond Anniversary Refractors, Diamond Anniversary Platinum Refractors, Canary Diamond Refractors (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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14. 2011 Playoff Contenders Freddie Freeman Rookie Card #14
It might have “Ticket” splashed across the front, but it’s in name only for Contenders’ trademark feature. Traditionally, the brand has made ticket-inspired designs a focal point. That’s not the case here. This is one of the first baseball releases that Panini put out after acquiring a license from the MLBPA.
Parallels: Crystal Collection (/299), Playoff Ticket (/99), Artist’s Proof (/49), 1st Day Proof (/10), Championship Ticket (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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5 Important Early Freddie Freeman Cards
Freddie Freeman’s Rookie Cards aren’t his first cards. They go back several years before his MLB debut to when he was still a teenager. Here are five key cards that came out before his big league debut.
2006 Topps AFLAC Autographs Freddie Freeman #AFLAC-FF
If you’re after one of Freeman’s earliest signatures, this is it. Although it was included in 2008 Bowman Draft, the card was actually produced and signed a couple of years earlier when Freeman participated in the showcase for top high school talent.
Participants were also given cards to do with as they pleased. The first step to spotting a pack-inserted card versus one that wasn’t is looking on the back. There should be a Topps hologram sticker. That said, even that’s not foolproof as holograms have been known to be peeled off of lesser cards, not necessarily here but with others. The safest route at this point may be to get a copy that has been authenticated.
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2006-07 Upper Deck USA Baseball Signatures Jersey Black Freddie Freeman #37 /295
Freeman has several autographs in the 2006-07 USA Baseball product. Not only is this one of the most plentiful, but it also includes a memorabilia swatch.A similar card with a nearly matching print run exists without it.
Parallels: Blue (/150), Red (/50), Green (/2)
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2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Freddie Freeman #BDPP12
Freeman’s first MLB cards arrived just a few months after Atlanta took him in the second round of the 2007 draft. A prospect card and not a traditional RC, this is still one of the most important Freddie Freeman cards out there.
Parallels: Refractors, X-fractors (/299), Blue Refractors (/199), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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2007 Bowman Draft Freddie Freeman #BDPP12
As a hobby whole, Bowman Chrome may carry more value, but the regular Bowman version is still an important one. It’s also available in the same 2007 Bowman Draft packs.
Parallels: Gold, Blue (/399), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Red (1/1)
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2007 Bowman Sterling Prospects Freddie Freeman #BSP-FF
Topps also got Freeman into 2007 Bowman Sterling. The product is more premium-focused than Bowman Draft but that comes through more visibly with the quantity of autographs and memorabilia cards. That said, this is a noticeably tougher card to find than his 2007 Bowman Draft and Bowman Chrome Draft cards. Sterling doesn’t have the same level of brand prestige for early cards, but this is still a quality card.
Parallels: Refractors (/199), Black Refractors (/25), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Red Refractors (1/1)
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2009 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Freddie Freeman #BCP101
Typically today, players have their first Bowman cards and autographs in the same product. For Freddie Freeman, there was almost two years difference. His first Bowman Chrome autograph didn’t release until 2009 Bowman Chrome Baseball. That hasn’t hurt its value or importance. When it comes to Freddie Freeman cards, this is one of the cornerstones.
Parallels: Refractors (/500), X-fractors (/250), Blue Refractors (/150), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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