Zack Greinke has had an exceptional MLB career that has spanned nearly two decades since making his debut in 2004. As one of the top pitchers of his generation, Greinke’s stats and accomplishments have made his baseball cards very desirable collectibles. Whether it’s his rookie cards from his early days with the Kansas City Royals or cards highlighting some of his top seasons with other teams, Greinke cards continue to hold value for collectors.
Greinke was drafted 6th overall by the Royals in the 2002 MLB Draft out of high school in Orlando, Florida. While pitching in the Royals’ farm system, the hype began to build around the young right-hander and collectors eagerly anticipated his rookie cards. Topps was able to get Greinke’s rookie card issued in their 2004 Baseball set, featuring him in a Royals uniform from his 2003 pro debut season in the minors. Numbered around 374 in the set, Greinke’s rookie card is one of the more sought after from the early 2000s. Different print runs and parallels can fetch prices upwards of $100+ graded in mint condition.
Greinke would go on to make his MLB debut for the Royals in 2004 at just 20 years old. Upper Deck captured his true rookie season with their card numbered 433 in the 2004 set. Considered his more prestigious rookie among collectors due to depicting his first MLB action, high-grade examples can reach over $500. Some lesser known brands like Fleer and Donruss also issued rookie cards for Greinke in 2004/2005 sets alongside Topps and Upper Deck. While more abundant, finding centered and well-preserved copies of those cards can still hold value for vintage Greinke collectors.
After three solid but unspectacular seasons to start his career in Kansas City, Greinke broke out in 2009 by winning the American League Cy Young Award. Topps commemorated this stellar campaign with an award winners refractors card numbered to /399 copies. Greinke is shown displaying the Cy Young trophy, making it one of his most iconic and sought after modern issue cards. Grading a gem mint 10, examples can reach well over $1000 on the secondary market. His standard base card from Topps’ flagship 2009 set also appreciates in higher grades due to marking his award-winning season.
Following his Cy Young year, Greinke was surprisingly traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. Looking to capitalize on Greinke mania in his new NL Central ballclub, Topps produced thick acetate parallels and autograph cards of Greinke’s standard 2010 Brewers card. Numbered to /25 copies, low-serial autographs from that year command $1500-$2000 prices. Upper Deck also folded in on the excitement with short printed memorabilia and auto cards of Greinke’s first season in Milwaukee uniforms. Collectors enjoyed celebrating Greinke’s continued success on a new team through exclusive parallel and signed versions of his cards.
In 2011, Greinke raised his game even further by posting a 1.65 ERA over 33 starts for the Brewers. This career best statistical season led to Upper Deck creating a dual memorabilia and autograph card specially for the feat. Patches from his jersey and pants were combined with Greinke’s John Hancock to produce an extremely rare 1/1 card. When a copy surfaced for auction in 2017, it shattered records by selling for over $22,000. Limited parallels from Topps and other brands from 2011 also hold immense value for highlighting Greinke’s tremendous year in Milwaukee.
Following the 2011 campaign, Greinke signed a lucrative free agent deal worth $147 million with the Los Angeles Angels. His first cards depicting him in an Angels uniform came in 2012 releases like Topps, Bowman, and Leaf. While common issues hold average value today, short printed parallels gained popularity. Especially sought after are 1/1 printing plates showing Greinke in full Angel red that can sell for thousands in top condition. However, Greinke’s tenure in Anaheim was brief as he was shockingly traded after one season to the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospects.
Greinke exploded with the Dodgers, putting together six elite seasons from 2012-2017 while establishing himself as one of the game’s all-time great pitchers. Highlights include a win in the 2013 MLB All-Star Game, another Cy Young award in 2015, and a World Series title in 2020. Topps Finest became THE set to collect during this Dodgers era for Greinke enthusiasts, giving parallels like aqua prizms, red prizms, and 1/1 plates of the righty in Dodger blue. Numbered autographs from pristine Prospective and Certified releases also command four-figure sums. With Greinke entrenching himself as a Dodgers legend, all his cards from 2013-2017 command top dollar.
Still an active pitcher today at 38 years old, Greinke continues adding to his story with the franchise in 2022 after re-signing with Kansas City. He inches closer to likely Cooperstown induction whenever he hangs up his cleats. Regardless of where Greinke pitches in his final seasons, collectors will cherish all eras of his incredible 19-year MLB tenure. From humble Royals rookie issues to dazzling Dodgers parallels, Zack Greinke’s baseball card portfolio stands as one of the most sought after for dedicated players from his generation.
