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The 2025 Topps Baseball Series 1 rollout has made one thing crystal clear: Shohei Ohtani is the undisputed king of the baseball card world. While names like Larry David, Barry Bonds, and Frank Thomas have created their own stir with coveted collectibles, Ohtani is in a league of his own when it comes to active players.

Ohtani Owns the Leaderboard

According to Card Ladder, the top 14 sales of active player cards all belong to Ohtani. The first non-Ohtani card to break into the rankings? Dylan Crews’ 1990 Topps Baseball auto /5, which sold for $1,899 on February 24. But even that impressive number pales in comparison to the Heavy Lumber Auto Relic featuring a game-used bat from Ohtani, which fetched $3,599.99 on February 19. If that sounds high, consider this—another version of the same card is currently listed on eBay for $4,500.

Big Money for Ohtani Patch Cards

Two of Ohtani’s In The Name All-Star Patch cards (1/1) recently sold for $3,361 and $3,430 in late February. To put that in perspective:

• Bobby Witt Jr. is the only other player with a Heavy Lumber Auto Relic sale in the four-digit range, selling for $1,400 and $1,000.
• Juan Soto's In The Name All-Star Patch Card? That one went for just $382.77—a fraction of Ohtani’s numbers.

Ohtani Crushes the 1990 Topps Baseball Anniversary Insert Market

The 1990 Topps Baseball 35th Anniversary commemorative insert has been another goldmine for Ohtani collectors.

• On February 14, an Ohtani Auto SSP sold for $2,925.
• The only card that topped it? A Barry Bonds Auto /5, which went for $3,100.
• Right now, the only eBay listing for an Ohtani 1990 Auto /5 sits at $7,995.
• The highest Aaron Judge sale from the same insert? $650 for an Orange Mojo Refractor Auto /25.

Ohtani’s Stock Keeps Climbing

If there was any doubt that Ohtani is the face of modern baseball collecting, his numbers tell the story.

• Over the last six months, his card market has grown by 21.63% according to Card Ladder.
• Since signing with the Dodgers, his growth rate has jumped nearly 40%.

And why wouldn’t it? Ohtani just put together the first-ever 50/50 season in MLB history—an offensive performance for the ages. Now, as he gears up for his second season in Dodger blue, he's also teasing a return to the mound. If that happens, the already red-hot Ohtani market could go nuclear.

Right now, no one in the hobby comes close. Shohei Ohtani isn’t just a baseball star—he’s a collecting phenomenon.