SHOHEI OHTANI ROOKIE CARDS | A Deep Dive 

UPDATE: Please note on May 25, 2022, I made an official change to The 10 Commandments of the Rookie Card document linked above. Since this date, I now consider parallels as part of the equation for "true" rookie card designation. You can see all the details of that decision here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QygTpcHn8JA.html

As always my friend, you are very informative, and appreciate that, especially when you're info benefits me in my quest for finding at least one of his many True Rookie Cards. You always come thru. Thank You Victor.

Thank you for making this video and for bringing much needed clarity! I miss those days when there was just one true RC...

You've definitely did a great job on his U.S. Rookie Cards, but really missed the mark on his Japanese Rookie Cards. BBM, which stands for "Baseball Magazine", has a 30-year history making cards and his 2013 BBM 1st Version "Red Wing" #183 is his true Japanese Rookie Card. It's pack pulled and was distributed internationally. His Japanese Rookie Cards are not "Pre-Rookie" they are just his Japanese Cards.

I just started zeroing in on Ohtanis cards over the last few months. It’s not like me to attach to any one players cards. This was insanely well done and super informative. Even if one disagrees with you it’s important to see. Thank you for taking the time. It’s shotime!🤎

Awesome video. Great production and thought behind this. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

PRE-RC? Ohtani's true RC is BBM 2013 1st version #183 (BASE) only. Of course, I'm not going to deny your video, and the topps card is cool.

Thanks for sharing these insights, Victor. I am happy that I have some of Shohei’s 2018 RCs in the PC. Vladdy put up great numbers last year but it is hard to argue against what Shohei accomplished with the bat AND on the mound. Take care, amigo! 👊⚾️

The offseason he got his tommy john surgery i invested $950 usd.... picked up a topps chrome rookie auto bgs 10( population 1 of 5), topps chrome blue wave auto psa 10, topps xfractor psa 10 and 3 topps chrome rookie psa 10s ... buying him was one of my best life decisions my only regret i didnt buy more!!

It’s really not all that subjective. The best rookie cards are the cards with the most demand, sell for the highest prices, and have the most staying power. The hobby is who decides. They’ve decided Flagship Black, Flagship SSP’s, Topps Chrome traditional non wave colors, etc. Ohtani is weird because his Bowman Chrome rookie really trumped his topps paper and chrome. But it still stands that you get the bowman chrome in a traditional colored refractor, buy his flagship SSP’s, or buy his flagship Black parallels to own the best of his rookie cards.

This was something I was wondering about recently. thanks for making a video clearing everything up so it makes sense. I hope this leads to more videos of the same variety.

I just accidentally ran into this page. I’m so glad I did because your presentation and your explanation is top notch! Great work! #subscribed

I've been collecting since 1990. This hobby is full of hype, it's 1000 times worse today, LET THE BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!

Great video. Always interesting. I was suprised that at some point his US1 from Update was selling for more than his true RC from Series 2. I get print runs but the Update card is a very long way down on my list when it comes to his more desirable RC/RY cards. I chased Shohei's stuff hard in 2018 when I got back into cards. I never hit an auto but I did get 2 Bowman paper /499 , a Photo Variation out of HHN, a refractor from Topps Chrome, and a rainbow foil from Update. Those were my best pack pulled Ohtani cards from 2018. I'm happy to call all of those RY's despite the RC label. I guess no matter how good he becomes he will always have some affordable rookie cards since he was in every product. The Bowman paper and Topps Series 2 are my favourites. Thanks for the content.

2023 ohtani goat

I would appreciate it if you'd consider doing a break down on Volpe RCs someday !? Thank you for this education corse !!! Im always grateful !!

This is Awesome man. I appreciate your channel so much. Now my job is to come across atleast 20 of the true Ohtani RC

Great video, awesome cards brother 💯

Great video, subscribed!

Great video and information

Thanks 🙏 for the information How about the Bowman Crome Refractor numbered to 499 batting ? Is that a true rookie ? Would be interesting if you can do the same video on Tom Brady 2000 year rookies ?

BBM stands for BaseBall Magazine. 2013 BBM cards were his rookie cards playing Professional baseball in Japan. BBM is a major card manufacturer. Any RC debate is subjective. Just like Star 85 Michael Jordan vs. Fleer 86 MJ cards. Disregarding 2013 BBM as "pre-rookie" makes no sense. Maybe we could say "Pre-MLB rookie". Japan defeated USA in the last WBC.

I didn’t hear you talk specifically about the Rookie Debut card. Maybe I missed it but would like your opinion. Also with the rules you mentioned what do you consider Cal Ripken Jr rookie to be? I view the Traded card to his flagship. Also something to consider is the fact that most pitchers don’t have a card with them batting. Ohtani being exceptional at both is reason to have a lot of rookie cards. I do agree the 2018 Topps Chrome #150 should be the flagship Ohtani though. But the fact he can hit too has to weigh on the the value of the topps chrome update hmt32 rookie debut card. Thanks for the video!

Love this video. I am a new subscriber because I love collecting rookie cards. What is your website

Thanks Victor, I wish the only rookie card would be in flagship but I know I am oldschool.

Hey there, great video and appreciate the content! Was curious where you would place the 2018 Topps living set Ohtani and the Topps deckle edge ohtani. Those are some of my favorite. Thank you.

I just scribed and watched this video and I could honestly say you answered about 2/10 questions I've been looking for in youtube videos to find out the answers. Thank you! But I did have a question as I've been watching and observing the way cards are up to this day and I don't know if there's some way to get in touch with you and if there is can you please let me know because it would be a great video for your channel! Thank you for your time Victor

I feel "Rookie Cards" to be the "Stat Back" cards, not themed inserts, but would include parallels of stat backs. Those other cards should be called "RYC" not "RC" standing for Rookie Year Cards. For pre-rookie cards, they used to be called XRC and I'm fine with that, and even feel the market creates the value, so RC doesn't mean it's the most desirable or valuable card.

Video title should be "What are Licensed MLB rookie cards for Americans" what i felt is that this youtuber has a lack respect for Japanese baseball which really grinds my gears. The cards have a lot of sentimental value to the people who watched him before MLB. There is no need to be shacked by the rules that the youtuber mentioned. the Topps now cards look awesome as they tell a story of history plus the back has a cool looking topps foil... IMO think they are better than the base rookie cards. Plus, topps considers them as RC.

2018 Topps Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card RC #700 PSA 10 series 2 what is the difference in the card? Please help Thank You

Why are these my laws for cards now!? 😅

Who owns the 2018 Ohtani gold vinyl signed BC? Remember seeing it on IG awhile back.

Great video! I really like the card displays behind you. Can you provide info about them. Where did you them, or are they custom made? I would love to add them to my card room. Maybe you can do a video to highlight them? Thanks Greg

Would his 2018 bowman sterling be considered a true rookie card ?

One other thing i think you should've mentioned about these folks who give us these top 5 and 10 lists, the topmost wanted, expensive and must have cards and what not lists. Most those people are pushing the cards they have that aren't making it as they thought they would and those cards and players they invested in are now losing value. So, by creating these lists they pique the interest of those cards/players to push the market in the direction they want it to go. It's mostly about manipulating the players and cards that they want to increase in value. As you said in this video, most of these lists are based on subjective opinion and not facts. If you want a true top 5 or 10 rooky list or player list you must base them by their performances on the field, what awards they may have won, any records they may hold or have broken just to name a few things to create a true top 5 or 10 list for any player/players. Love the work and effort you put into these videos, keep up the good work and you and your family have a good, blessed and safe rest of your day.

Hello Victor, Big fan and thank you for everything you do for the Hobby. Quick question maybe you or someone can answer. PSA set Registry for Mike Trout basic Topps set does not have the first care listed as is 2011 Update Rookie, and starts with this 2012 card. Any idea why? Most of the other player sets for the Topps basic starts with their Rookie Card? Do they not include Update as part of the basic Set? Thank you in advance.

Hello I have a 2018 Bowman High Tek Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card, this is different from the High Tek RC you have in this video. Would my card be considered a true RC?

I have few Ohtani RC One is from Topps team set #17 these were only available in blaster pack. The other is a Advent calendar #1 are these true RC as well? Great vid. 👍

Are the holiday topps cards true rookies?

2017 bowman is a true rookie because othani played professionally in Japan. the MLB is not the only professional league

Nice video I appreciate your work on this. So if Chipper Jones debuted on September 11, 1993 what is his RC? Take care & God bless⚾️⚾️🦏🦏🦏

First off this was a great video and I enjoy your content, however I did find an error in one of the Commandments. Commandment 2 states "a rookie card can only be released after a player has made a pro-level roster." It should state after a player has made a Major League roster. All levels of minor league baseball are professional, and that would conflict about what you've been preaching. According to commandment 2, that would mean a player could have a rookie card as soon as he signed a professional contract and was added to the minor league roster on any level, single A, double or triple A, or even rookie ball!

What about the panini rookie cards ?

That's alot of cards for 1 player in 1 year. I don't see how most of them could be worth more than a few dollars.

They should let DeGROM hit .the boy can hit !!! & He is a better pitcher