Max Scherzer’s Top Rookie Cards
Every era of baseball has that small group of players that are one step above their peer group. On the mound over the last 18 years, Max Scherzer has been in that elite Major League Baseball club. The dominating right-hander has accomplished just about every individual feat one can as a starting hurler, and he has two World Series rings to take with him to Cooperstown.
Working towards another Fall Classic appearance, we break down the top Scherzer rookie cards.
Driving Card Values
Among the pantheon of all-time MLB starters, Scherzer has a seat. Scherzer is just 20 regular season strikeouts away (3,489) from tying Walter Johnson (3,509) at No. 10 on the all-time list. The march towards Cooperstown immortality began in 2006.
After a standout collegiate career with the Missouri Tigers, the Arizona Diamondbacks drafted Scherzer 11th overall in 2006. Working through the minor leagues in a hurry, on April 28, 2008, Scherzer made his MLB debut.
The first two seasons in Arizona were quiet, posting an overall 9-15 record in 37 starts. In December of 2009, Arizona traded the hard-throwing starter to the Detroit Tigers, pairing him with another amazing talent, Justin Verlander.
During the first three seasons in Detroit, Scherzer was building into ace mode. Scherzer was on the precipice of stardom in 2012, winning 16 games with a 3.74 ERA and 231 strikeouts.
The career trajectory changed in 2013, earning his first of eight All-Star appearances (2013-19, 2021) and his first of three Cy Young Awards (2013, 2016, 2017). The 2013 romp was complete with a league-leading 21 wins against three losses and a 0.970 WHIP. The following year, Scherzer again led the league with 18 wins.
The Tigers made four consecutive postseason appearances from 2011-14 with Scherzer (4-3) recording 80 strikeouts in 62.2 innings, appearing in 12 games with 10 starts.
Signing a free-agent deal with the Washington Nationals in January of 2015, Scherzer continued his wizardry over MLB batters. Plowing through a 14-12 season in the nation’s capital, Scherzer tossed two no-nos in 2015, against the Pirates (June) and Mets (October).
In 2016, he again led the league in wins (20), innings pitched (228.1), strikeouts (284), and WHIP (0.968). The 2016 campaign started a streak of three consecutive years leading the league in Ks (268, 300).
Regular season statistics can get one into the Hall of Fame, but postseason success can elevate the greatness perspective. Scherzer helped the Nats to a World Series championship in 2019 with a 3-0 record in five starts and a relief appearance. Scherzer started and won Game 1 and started the winner-take-all Game 7.
The shoo-in for the Hall came in 2021 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Against the San Diego Padres, Scherzer struck out Eric Hosmer for career K 3,000, just the 19th player to accomplish the feat at that time.
The second ring for Scherzer came with the Rangers in 2023. Starting the season with the Mets, Texas acquired Scherzer on July 29. The Rangers toppled the Diamondbacks four games to one.
Reving up the time machine in the 2025 American League Championship Series with the Toronto Blue Jays, the 41-year-old mowed down five Seattle Mariner batters in 5.2 innings pitched, allowing three hits and two earned runs. Scherzer didn’t get the win, relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez did, but his breaking stuff was electric reminding his fans of his greatness while creating a new generation of collectors.
In the Hobby
The Beckett Online Price Guide recognizes 18 Scherzer rookie cards. Of the 18, 10 can be picked up raw starting at the $3 price point working up to $12-15.
Some of the financially easier to get into cards include:
- 2008 Upper Deck Timeline #75 Max Scherzer RC
- 2008 Upper Deck Timeline #123 Max Scherzer 92 ML RC
- 2008 Upper Deck Timeline #213 Max Scherzer 04 TT RC
- 2008 Upper Deck Goudey #6 Max Scherzer RC
- 2008 Topps Allen and Ginter #297 Max Scherzer RC
- 2008 Stadium Club #140a Max Scherzer RC
Mid-tier cards – $10-20 up to $50:
- 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft #BDP33 Max Scherzer RC
- 2008 Topps Update #UH280 Max Scherzer RC
Values jump in the next round thanks to short prints, jersey patches, and manufacturer exchanges.
Top-tier pricing:
- 2008 SP Authentic #147 Max Scherzer Jsy AU /799 RC EXCH
- 2008 SPx #150 Max Scherzer AU RC
- 2008 SPx Mystery Rookie Redemptions #RR5 Max Scherzer #150 AU RC
- 2008 Sweet Spot #139 Max Scherzer AU /299 RC
- 2008 Ultimate Collection #102 Max Scherzer Jsy AU /99 RC
- 2008 Upper Deck Ballpark Collection #142 Max Scherzer AU RC EXCH
The SP Authentic and Ballpark Collection cards do not exist. Upper Deck never got around to fulfilling them before losing their ML B license.
Interesting. We have sales data on the 2008 Upper Deck Ballpark Collection #142 Max Scherzer AU RC EXCH, seven cards sold back to 2008 with the most current being in 2017. We also have sales data on the 2008 SP Authentic #147 Max Scherzer Jsy AU /799 RC EXCH. I will investigate further to see if there is a mix up in our data.
After further investigation, we/Beckett have not received confirmation from UD that those cards were released. Being an exchange, there is a possibility that a limited number went out, but it looks unlikely. In another 10-20 years, someone may come forward with a pack of them! Time will tell.
Those Ballpark cards could have been backdoored, but the SPA were never issued. Those sales were probably for the redemption cards.
Also, the two SPx cards you have listed are the same card. Rookie Redemptions card #RR5 was good for base card #150
Thanks for reading. Both cards listed out as people can get confused if they do not see a #RR5.