Just for fun: What might Yu Darvish’s 2012 Bowman Chrome SuperFractor sell for?
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor
When Topps tweeted a photo of new Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish holding a pair of freshly signed cards on Monday, it signaled that the next big thing in baseball cards is about to arrive with a message sent via the Japanese star’s left hand.
It’s his autographed 2012 Bowman Chrome SuperFractor — a card that should record a serious payday for one collector after it’s collated into packs and then potentially found starting on May 9.
A pair of unsigned SuperFractors in recent years have commanded big cash in baseball — the Stephen Strasburg in 2010 for $21,403 and the Bryce Harper from the 2010 USA set for $12,500 — but neither had an autograph.
This one does. Meanwhile, Darvish’s autograph redemption cards from 2012 Topps Tribute have consistently been pulling in $1,300 to $2,500 on eBay in recent weeks with current asking prices pushing $3,000 — and there are 25 copies of that one available.
We just want to know … how much do you think it will sell for? (Take our poll and tell us what you think in the comments below.)
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Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
to be honest i really dont like pitcher’s cards. you only see them once a week if your not a relief guy. i never waste money on pitcher cards. there are so many players out there you get to see everyday. freddie freeman, andrew mccutchen, ike davis and so on. sure the cards like nice, but i wouldnt waste my money on a pitcher. hall of fame pitcher, yes. but this guy hasnt done anything at the major league level. i can could guess those cards will fetch around 400 to 600 bucks. money i can spend else where.
I’m sure A LOT of moneywill trade hands, if it is pulled early. It will still command a very good price, when pulled. I just hope I buy that Topps value box.
Re: Bill Johnson,
I respectfully disagree. Pitchers are the most entertaining part of baseball. Watching a great pitcher work a lineup is the best part of the game. I’d much rather watch a no hitter than a 15-14 slugfest.
I will admit, though, that pitchers are much more hit or miss in the hobby. I think it’s a combination of things, including the frequency of pitching related injuries and the failure of fans and the BBWAA to adjust their standards to match up with current conditions where pitchers don’t have the opportunity to accumulate stats the way pitchers did back in the day.
One more thing. I don’t think the card should sell for what it will sell for, but I’d gladly sell it if I had the chance. I’ve already pre-ordered my boxes!
I have no doubt this guy will be a star.
Buy even a great pitcher can have bad things happen to them.
Look at the career of Mark Prior for a prime example.
Personally, If I pulled it I would sell it and get a nice Ichiro Ultimate Collection RC.
Bill, the Asian collectors will go crazy for this card. I would guess that this card will go around $30,000 plus. I am not saying I would pay that type of money for it but it will go very high.
better question is will it be pulled in a “value box”
You have to factor in also that this won’t appeal to just a Rangers fan, or a Darvish collector, or even on a broader scale an American. The Japanese will surely be interested in getting this card, which could push the price higher than most are thinking.
i just think that he needs to prove himself in the big leagues as well. i have no doubt looking at his cards prices from a few years ago that these cards will fetch a high price. and yes the asian card market will eat these cards up just like the japanese did for ichiro a few years ago. im just saying he needs to prove himself.
re: josh
im not taking anything away from the pitchers. growing up my favorite player was a pitcher, dwight gooden. im just saying you dont see pitchers everyday like you do with every day players. plus pitchers are very high risk. look at strasburg of the nats and satana of the mets. tommy john surgerys on both have effected the price on both of their cards. granted injuries can happen to all players, but tommy john surgery can end a pitchers career before it even gets started.
Injuries can end a player’s career no matter what the position, Bill.
He could tank in MLB and still sell well given his successes in Japan.
too much…….if it sells above $1.37