Shohei Ohtani is unique in more ways than one, and that holds especially true in the trading card hobby. Getting his professional baseball start at the ripe age of 18 in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and at the age of 23 starting his MLB career, Ohtani has two different rookie year cards for fans to chase.
A rare, signed, 2013 version Ohtani rookie card is up for auction at Heritage.
An elite two-way player coming out of Hanamaki Higashi High School, Ohtani initially wanted to test his talents in Major League Baseball. The Hokkaidō Nippon-Ham Fighters drafted Ohtani, even with the chance he may not sign with the team. After lengthy negotiations, and a promise to utilize him as a two-way player, Ohtani became a Fighter, eventually earning five All-Star selections and one Pacific League MVP award.
The Beckett Online Price Guide lists eight 2013 BBM Japan cards featuring Ohtani – each extremely valuable.
Up for grabs at Heritage Auctions, a 2013 BBM Japan #RP19 Shohei Ohtani AU, released as a Rookie Edition Premium subset.
At the time of this writing, with roughly 13 hours before the proverbial digital auction gavel drops, bidders have pushed the value to $7,625 with the buyer’s premium. The estimated value of the signed RC, $10,000-plus.
Other 2013 BBM Japan Shohei Ohtani cards for collectors to chase:
2013 BBM Japan #183 Shohei Ohtani
2013 BBM Japan #554 Shohei Ohtani
2013 BBM Japan Facsimile Autograph Gold Holofoil #183 Shohei Ohtani /100
2013 BBM Japan Facsimile Autograph Silver Holofoil #183 Shohei Ohtani /50
2013 BBM Japan Rookie Edition #42A Shohei Ohtani/Pitching
2013 BBM Japan Rookie Edition #42B Shohei Ohtani/Batting
2013 BBM Japan Rookie Edition SCM Original Card #206 Shohei Ohtani
2013 BBM Japan Rookie Edition SCM Original Card Silver Facsimile Signatures #206 Shohei Ohtani
The timing of the signed BBM Ohtani rookie card going up for auction couldn’t be better. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Ohtani take the next step in defending their 2024 World Series win Friday night in Game 1 of the 2025 Fall Classic against the Toronto Blue Jays with the first pitch scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Ohtani’s MLB Career at a Glance
Five-time MLB All-Star (2021-25)
Three-time MVP (2021, 2023, 2024)
American League Rookie of the Year (2018)
Three-time Silver Slugger Award (2021, 2023, 2024)
First player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season (2024)
AloJapan.com