Shohei Ohtani's 2018 Topps rookie card has sold for $2.5 million, becoming his second-most expensive card ever. This sale broke multiple records and solidified Ohtani's position as one of the most valuable players in baseball.
What happened?
The base version of this card is considered one of the most iconic Ohtani rookie cards ever. The 1/1 Superfractor from 2018 Topps Chrome, featuring a photograph of him pitching, was sold on Goldin for $2,562,229.
The only other collectible more valuable than this is a 2025 Topps Chrome MVP Award Gold MLB Logoman Shohei Ohtani Patch Auto 1/1, which is still the record holder at $3,000,000. This 1/1 Superfractor from Shohei's rookie season with the Los Angeles Angels is the next best thing.
Why it matters for Shohei Ohtani
This card is his most valuable rookie card ever, most valuable graded card ever, and most valuable non-patch or non-auto card ever. Simply put, this is one of the greatest Shohei Ohtani cards ever printed.
Shohei Ohtani's auto cards are valuable on their own, but one he signed in Kanji is particularly special. This incredible piece made the rounds on Goldin last year and sold for $585,600 in September.
More iconic Shohei Ohtani rookie cards
Everyone's seen the Pitching and Batting variants of the Shohei Ohtani 2018 Bowman Chrome rookie cards, but the rarest of them all is undoubtedly the third variant: the Carrying Bag SP. This variant is incredibly rare on its own, making an on-card auto RC with numbering that matches his jersey number even more special.
South Korean shop Wyverns Sports Cards brokered a private deal for this card worth $700,000. At the time, it became his most valuable Bowman Chrome piece and was the third-most expensive publicly known sale for any Ohtani card.
Shohei Ohtani's career is filled with historic moments, and his collectibles are no exception. With each new sale, his value continues to rise, solidifying his position as one of the greatest players in baseball.
What comes next?
As Shohei Ohtani continues to break records on and off the field, his collectibles will likely continue to increase in value. With the Los Angeles Angels player's popularity showing no signs of slowing down, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for his fans and collectors alike.
The sale of this 1/1 Superfractor is a testament to Shohei Ohtani's enduring popularity and the value of his collectibles. With a new record set, fans and collectors will be eagerly awaiting the next big sale.