Shohei Ohtani

Market outlook

Rising Outlook 9/10

Ohtani's ongoing MLB success, increased international media attention, and the card's scarcity drive consistent price appreciation. Graded high copies are increasingly sought by top collectors[5][9]

Next months. Next 3-6 months: Prices expected to rise 5-10% due to seasonal demand and upcoming All-Star appearances

Long term. 1-3 year: Prices projected to increase 20-30% as Ohtani's legacy solidifies and supply remains constrained

History

Shohei Ohtani is a Japanese professional baseball player who debuted in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018. Known as a two-way player, he excels both as a pitcher and a hitter, making him one of the most unique athletes in baseball history. He was born in Hachioji, Japan, and played for the Chiba Lotte Marines before joining MLB[5].

This Atomic Refractor card was first released in the 2018 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autographs set, printed in the United States by Bowman, with card number #CRA-SO[1][3].

• Ohtani is the first two-way player in MLB to achieve over 100 hits and 100 innings pitched in a single season[5]
• His 2018 Bowman Chrome Atomic Refractor RC Auto /100 sold for $77,500 in a graded 10 grade, the highest known sale for this card and grade[9]
• The card features a photo of Ohtani mid-windup and includes a hard-signed rookie autograph with eight known parallels[3]

Rarity and print run

Tier

Secret Rare

Print run

Low

First printed in

2018 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autographs

Demand

Very High

Supply

Scarce

• Limited print run of only 100 copies
• Two-way player status increases collector demand
• High-grade graded copies are rare due to foil fragility

Collector notes

Condition. Key flaws include centering misalignment, surface scratches on the refractor foil, and autograph smudging. The Atomic Refractor foil is prone to micro-crazing under magnification[1][3].

Storage. Store in a rigid, non-PVC card sleeve inside a top-loader. Avoid direct sunlight and humidity fluctuations. Use a climate-controlled safe for long-term storage[1].

Authenticity. Fakes often lack the precise foil pattern or have faint, inconsistent autograph ink. Authenticate via graded or Beckett, checking for the /100 print run mark and serial number[1][9].