Shohei Ohtani is a true unicorn in the world of Major League Baseball as the only active two-way player capable of both pitching and hitting at an elite level. The Japanese star’s unique abilities have made his rookie cards some of the most sought after collectibles on the baseball card market in recent years. As Ohtani continues to shine on both sides of the ball for the Los Angeles Angels, the value of his rookie cards has skyrocketed.
Ohtani was already a huge star in his native Japan where he played for the Nippon Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball. He had long been coveted by MLB scouts thanks to his rare combination of power, speed, elite pitching stuff, and ability to do both well at a high level. When Ohtani announced in late 2017 that he would be posted by his Japanese team, it set off a frenzy among MLB clubs hoping to sign the two-way sensation.
The Angels ultimately won the posting bid at a then-record $20 million and signed Ohtani to a minimum salary contract. Despite starting the 2018 season late as he continued to recover from surgery on a high ankle sprain, excitement was through the roof for Ohtani’s MLB debut. Card manufacturers took notice and included Ohtani in a number of high-end baseball card products released in the months prior.
Among the most coveted of Ohtani’s rookie cards is his 2018 Topps Series 1 card. As the flagship Topps set that kicks off the yearly card cycle, it is often the most collected modern release. Ohtani’s card carries the prized #001 designation as the first card in the 2018 Series 1 set acknowledging him as one of the biggest MLB storylines that year. With its classic design and as Ohtani’s true MLB rookie issue, the 2018 Topps Series 1 #001 card has become hugely valuable in the years since. Near mint, ungraded copies now sell for well over $1000 and a PSA 10 GEM MT graded version can fetch over $3000 due to his unprecedented dual-threat success.
Ohtani was also featured as the main story in other 2018 Topps flagship products like Series 2 and Chrome. His cards from these sets also hold significant value today. An ultra-rare Topps Chrome Superfractor parallel of his card numbered to just 5 copies exists and one recently sold at auction for over $25,000, shattering records for an Ohtani card. Additionally, Ohtani’s 2018 Bowman Chrome prospects card remains highly sought after by collectors. It captured him as a rookie before his first MLB action and carries the added cachet of being from the highly respected Bowman brand.
While injuries limited Ohtani’s debut MLB season to just 10 pitching appearances after holding his own as a hitter, he became a full two-way force in 2019 and helped cement his legendary status. That year saw Ohtani post a 3.31 ERA over 51 2/3 innings on the mound with 63 strikeouts while also hitting .286 with 18 home runs in just 104 games as a designated hitter. His rapid rise to stardom on both sides of the ball resulted in skyrocketing values for his cards from 2018 and new collections issued after his breakout ’19 campaign.
Upper Deck, long known for procuring the sports card rights to international stars, released an exclusive “13 Card Ohtani Rookie Patch Jersey Autograph” collection in 2020. The immense rarity and prestigious on-card autograph and memorabilia relics from his final NPB season made each serial numbered to 13 copies. An issue that truly captured Ohtani in his prime two-way player form before injuries, one recently sold for over $60,000. Various one-of-one Ohtani autograph and memorabilia cards regularly exceed $10,000 sales prices in today’s hot memorabilia market.
After arm injuries limited Ohtani to DH duties in 2020 and the start of 2021, he returned to dominant two-way play down the stretch last year. He not only posted a sub-3 ERA in over 100 innings on the mound but launched 46 home runs at the plate, cementing his claim as the game’s most singular player. The blistering success has only sent the prices for his early cards and new 2021 issues through the roof. While injuries remain a risk given his rare dual role, even “hit” cards from off years still command four-figure values. As Ohtani’s playing career progresses, the canon of his diverse cards will surely become the stuff of baseball history and legend for collectors.
As long as Shohei Ohtani continues to take the mound and blaze around the bases, his athletic accomplishments and highlight reel will ensure the intrinsic value of his rookie cards and new issues. With no modern player comparable in their unique two-way skills, Ohtani’s cards hold an mystique that collectors and Angels fans alike covet. If he stays healthy and active on both sides of the ball deep into his career, some predict his earliest and most meaningful cards could someday achieve record prices in the millions as the definitive artifacts from the zenith of two-way baseball. Regardless of the future, Ohtani has already taken the hobby by storm with some of the most beloved and valuable modern cards money can buy thanks to his truly unprecedented playing style.
