Below are the 5 best Shohei Ohtani rookie cards under $1000 for budget collectors. Plus a couple of high-end rookie cards. We have also include some extra memorabilia items to whet your appetite.
Shohei Ohtani is the most exciting player in baseball today. Starring both as a hitter and a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels.
When he first came over to the big leagues in 2018 and declared his intent to both hit and pitch, many doubted him. However, after a few up-and-down seasons from 2018 to 2020, he finally hit his stride at the start of the 2021 season.
As a hitter over the last 2 seasons, Ohtani has hit 80 home runs and driven in 195 RBIs. As a starting pitcher over the last 2 seasons, he has gone 24-11 with a 2.70 ERA in 51 starts.
Ohtani’s legendary feats have made baseball cards featuring his likeness a hot commodity, reaching massive prices in the market.
However, not all collectors prefer or can afford some of his high-end specialty cards. So let’s take a look at some more affordable options.
5. 2018 Topps Bowman Shohei Ohtani Chrome Rookie Card #1
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $375
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $100
The flagship card of the 2018 Topps Bowman Chrome set. The #1 card is one of the most popular rookie cards of Ohtani in the market today.
Incredibly, this card already has 60 confirmed sales in PSA 9 and 10 condition alone on eBay and other sites according to sportscardspro.com. The base version of this card pictures Ohtani about to swing the bat during a live game, outlined by a white border.
The Topps Bowman logo is displayed on the top left of the card’s front. While the Angels logo is displayed at the bottom left. The player’s name is listed across the bottom of the card in white font on a black frame. While Ohtani’s position is listed in a small red pill-shaped graphic in white font.
The rear of the card contains Ohtani’s stats from his professional playing career in Japan.
Also, it organizes player bio information into 3 separate categories, Resume, Skills, and Up Close, each with a different focus.
4. 2018 Topps Rookie Card SP Variation (With Bat) Card #700
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $500
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $200
The SP (Short-Print) “With Bat” variation version of the #700 rookie card pictures Ohtani during a batting practice session. He is holding a bat in his right hand and waving to the stands with his left hand.
Although technically a rarer card, it has nonetheless seen much activity in the marketplace recently.
According to sportscardspro.com. It has been sold on eBay and other online marketplaces in PSA 10 condition nearly 30 times in the last 6 months.
As is the case with variation cards, the rest of the card is identical to the base version of the card other than the photo on the front. With the same basic design and player bio/statistical information included.
3. 2018 Topps Heritage Rookie Card #17
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $550
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $175
The widely successful Topps Heritage series brings back retro Topps styles from previous decades when card collecting was still in its infancy.
In 2018, Topps reintroduced the design for the 1969 Topps set. Which was best known for containing Reggie Jackson’s rookie card and the final Mickey Mantle card.
The #17 Shohei Ohtani rookie card is more valuable than the #600 base rookie card of him in this set. It contains a white border and displays a picture of Ohtani holding a baseball in his right hand and wearing a glove on his left hand.
The team’s name is centered near the bottom of the card’s front in yellow bloc font. The Topps Heritage logo is displayed at the top left of the card. And the player’s name and position are listed at the top right of the card in a purple circle graphic.
The rear of the card showcases the classic Topps orange background. Along with a significant amount of player statistical and bio information. It also displays a cartoon graphic of a baseball player along with a trivia fact about Ohtani.
2. 2018 Topps Limited Edition Rookie Card #700
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $625
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $150
The 2018 Topps Limited Edition series was a set produced on a thicker, higher-quality Tiffany card stock. Because only about 1,000 of these sets ended up being produced, they are a highly desirable target for collectors in the card market.
The #700 Shohei Ohtani rookie card features a photo of him pitching on the card’s front on a dark blue background. The words “Limited Edition” are printed about three-quarters of the way down the card’s front.
The bottom of the card lists his name and his positions in white font on a black banner, while his team’s name is listed in black font directly below on a red banner. The bottom left of the card displays the Angels team logo, and the top right of the card contains the Topps logo.
The rear of the card lists some of Ohtani’s stats from his Japanese league playing days and contains a brief player bio noting how he is trying to become the first player to star as a hitter and pitcher since Babe Ruth.
1. 2018 Topps Chrome Rookie Relic Card #WSE-4
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $750
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $250
The 2018 Topps Chrome Rookie Relic card is a great opportunity for budget collectors to get their hands on a memorabilia sports card featuring Ohtani without having to break the bank.
The card continues the same basic design as the 2018 Topps base and Limited Edition sets, with the Topps Chrome logo displayed on the top right of the card.
The game-worn jersey patch is displayed on the bottom right of the card’s front. With the phrase “Player-Worn Relic” listed in tiny font next to the patch on the right side.
As is the case for many relic cards in the market today, the rear of the card does not contain any player statistical or bio information. It simply congratulates the card owner on receiving an authenticated relic card, verified by a Topps representative.
Most Expensive Shohei Ohtani Baseball Rookie Cards
Although most of this article was geared more toward less expensive Ohtani cards. We simply couldn’t resist listing a couple of valuable ones.
Below are 2 awesome and expensive rookie cards for collectors to keep their eyes out for.
2018 Topps Chrome Shohei Ohtani Rookie Autograph Card #RA-SO
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $4500
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $2000
The 2018 Topps Chrome Rookie Autograph card features a photo of Ohtani looking into the distance after presumably hitting a ball during an at-bat.
His signature is centered in the middle of the card’s front, about two-thirds of the way down, with the rest of the card utilizing the same basic design as the rest of 2018 Topps Chrome.
The rear of the card also contains the same player information as the base versions of the card, listing his professional Japanese baseball stats.
It also contains a brief account of the process of Ohtani signing with the Angels and notes his pitching ability and great power.
2018 Topps Bowman Chrome Rookie Autograph Card #BCRA-SO
Estimated PSA 10 Price – $8000
Estimated PSA 9 Price – $3000
The Topps Bowman Chrome Rookie Autograph card last sold in PSA 10 condition on eBay for $18,000 in May 2022 according to sportscardspro.com.
Although that price was probably an outlier, with the actual value being closer to $8,000, if Shohei Ohtani continues to build on his legendary career, $18,000 may just be an accurate price.
The card itself contains the same design and includes the same information as the 2018 Topps Bowman Chrome base rookie card. The player’s signature is centered about two-thirds of the way down the card’s front, just above the player’s name.
Collectors should also keep in mind that a 50-card issue gold version of this card does exist and is probably at least 2 or 3 times more valuable than this version.
However, it is very difficult to find, with only one version currently listed on eBay.
Watch out for reprints of both cards which are widely sold on some marketplaces.
Shohei Ohtani Sports Memorabilia
Shohei Ohtani also has plenty of great memorabilia items featuring his likeness on sportsmemorabilia.com.
Plenty of autographed baseballs are available, most ranging in price from $1000 to $2000. A baseball signed by both Ohtani and teammate Mike Trout. This would be a great item for an Angels fan or MLB fan in general, retails for $2,726.99.
Another baseball signed by both Ohtani and Ichiro Suzuki can be purchased for $1,999.99. Several autographed jerseys, both in white and red versions, can be purchased in the price range of $1000 to $2000. Framed versions of these autographed jerseys usually carry a price tag of around $1500.
An autographed New Era cap, featuring a wider and shorter brim than traditional baseball caps, is available for $799.99.
Finally, large numbers of autographed photos in various sizes featuring Ohtani hitting and pitching typically range from $600 to $700.
When I was just starting out with my card collection, I had lots of questions about authenticity, trading, and card conditions. But with not that much information available online, I felt quite alone in my queries. Some questions still haven’t been answered to this day.
This site aims to rectify this, and now, I am passing on my knowledge!
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