Shohei Ohtani Japanese Baseball Card Sells for $430K

A 2013 Baseball Magazine Sha Nippon Ham Fighters Shohei Ohtani card sold for $430,050 in a Goldin auction during the weekend.

The card, a 10th Season with Hokkaido Autograph parallel numbered /10, became the most expensive card of the two-way star before his move to MLB in 2018. Professional Sports Authenticator — the most trusted third-party authentication service for collectable cards — graded the card a Gem MT 10, the highest grade possible.

BBM is the most widely collected trading card brand in Japan, featuring players from NPB.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani celebrates the Dodgers' 2025 World Series win. — Nov 3, 2025; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) acknowledges the crowd during the World Series championship parade at downtown Los Angeles.

How Good was Shohei Ohtani in NPB?

Ohtani made his NPB debut for the Ham Fighters in 2013 aged just 18 years old, and instantly began as a two-way player in his debut season.

He had a 4.02 ERA and a .643 OPS in his first professional season, but instantly improved the following year. The star rose his OPS to .842 in 2014, and managed a 2.61 ERA though 155.1 innings pitched. He continued improving during his NPB career, with his best season coming in his final year in the league in 2017.

That season, Ohtani managed 22 home runs and 67 RBIs, posting a 1.004 OPS. On the mound, he had a career-low 1.86 ERA and struck out 174 batters in 140 innings.

Throughout his time in NPB, Ohtani had a .859 OPS through 403 games and hit 48 home runs as a batter, and had a 2.52 ERA across 85 starts as a pitcher.

Why are Shohei Ohtani Cards so Expensive?

Since his move to MLB, Ohtani has taken over as the best player in the league. He has won four MVP awards, the most of any player other than Barry Bonds, and has won both of the last two World Series.

With his continued dominance, it’s no wonder people would collect cards featuring the player who could potentially be the greatest of all time.

It’s not just baseball cards which have gotten expensive, though, as prices for some of his memorabilia have also gone through the roof.

The final home run ball he hit in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers hit auctions this winter as well, and fetched a price of $292,800.

Do you have a favorite piece of Shohei Ohtani memorabilia?