2016 Bowman Chrome 1st Bowman Prospect Autograph Gold Refractor #CPA-JS Juan Soto 43/50 - BGS 10/Autograph 10 | Pristine | On-Card Autograph

A generational talent with an eye and approach reminiscent of the most skilled batters of all-time, Juan Soto has been a difficult out since he came to the MLB.

In short order, Soto has claimed a World Series championship, four-time Silver Slugger awards, and a Home Run Derby title. Soto’s youthful power is equaled if not surpassed by his feel for the strike zone which has been matched by few in MLB history. Known for his iconic “Soto Shuffle,” he ranks within the top twenty all-time in on-base percentage at the time of cataloging while leading the majors in walks in each of the last four seasons. Since arriving in the Bronx in 2024, the Dominican slugger has raised his game to new heights and formed one of the most deadly one-two punches in recent history alongside former and presumptive AL MVP Aaron Judge. He’s a rare talent beautifully fit for the modern game that can blend a savory analytical profile with a decidedly loud and energetic on-field persona.

The card commemorates Juan Soto’s first season as a professional after he signed with the Washington Nationals as an international free agent for a then-franchise record $1.5M. At 16 years old, Soto was originally ranked 22nd by Major League Baseball in his international signing class. Despite this, he moved quickly through the minors, not even stopping at AAA, before making his major league debut in May 2018.

One of the most significant card sets currently in production, Bowman’s history in the hobby is nothing short of legendary. A timeless brand, Bowman was founded in 1948 and came to prominence in 1951 with its Mickey Mantle rookie card that stands today as one of the most substantial prints in card history. In the modern day, Bowman and Bowman Chrome, the latter introduced in 1997, have been among the first stops in a baseball player’s card journey from the time they are a prospect and project out to stardom, with the “Bowman 1st Chrome” recognized as the ultimate prospect card in the modern hobby.

The Juan Soto Bowman Chrome 1st is far rarer than most of his contemporaries, as his Bowman Chrome 1st cards only exist in the set in autographed versions. 2016 Bowman Chrome is notorious for condition issues that include both corner and centering inconsistencies, making this copy an immaculate specimen. This particular parallel, featuring a dazzling gold refractor design, has a limited print run of only 50 copies. This copy is marked “43/50” on the back to denote its place in the run.

This card has been authenticated and deemed to be in Pristine condition, receiving a grade of 10 from Beckett Grading Services (BGS). The autograph was graded and received a 10 from BGS. This one-of-a-kind gem is, at the time of cataloging, the only print to be graded a 10.

The BGS certificate number for this card is: 0010600181.

Going Deeper - Juan Soto

The First Beer

If one thing is certain from Barry Bonds, Ted Williams, Ken Griffey Jr., and over a decade of Mike Trout it is this: it is clearly tough to win a World Series. That is, of course, unless you’re 20-year-old wunderkind Juan Soto.

In the second year of his thus far generational career, Juan Soto led the Washington Nationals through their first World Series run in franchise history. The Nationals reached the top of the baseball world, defeating the vaunted Houston Astros in seven dramatic games. 

While superstars with lengthy glittering resumes have faltered under these circumstances (take future Hall of Fame pitcher Justin Verlander’s 5.73 ERA in this series as an example), Soto was not just poised but powerful, leading Washington with three home runs and a slugging percentage north of .700 in the series. Proof of his youthful fearlessness, Juan joined Mickey Mantle as the only players to produce an RBI in Game 7 of the World Series before turning 22, and still is the youngest player to homer thrice in the fall classic.

Soto, still just twenty years old, had to stick to sparkling grape juice while his older teammates partied with champagne after clinching the wild card, division series, and pennant. After turning twenty one on the night of Game 3, however, Soto was excited to be able to join his teammates following the championship clincher. “I’m thankful to be celebrating this with my first beer with these guys,” said Soto. “It’s incredible.”