You should know by now that Shohei Ohtani is having another historic year with dominating performances on both the mound and at the plate ... it's stuff that could only be called Ruthian -- and yet Babe Ruth didn't do it all at the same time.

Right now, on June 28, he leads the league in homers (28), RBI (64), slugging percentage (.654), total bases (200) and other offensive stats, while also having. 7-3 record on the mound with 127 Ks in 95 innings and a 3.02 ERA ... in short, he leads his team in pretty much everything. This kind of showing could mean serious headlines by year's end, too, with that home run pace alone.

The Japanese icon and pitcher-slash-DH's 2018 Rookie Cards are ones you should be thinking about right now as there's been a serious uptick in interest -- and it was already high. But, thanks to there being plenty of sets that year and with him in most of them, there's still a lot to choose from that's not priced out of many collectors' budgets. Things do get quite interesting with basic cards in slabs, too. (Prices should surprise you ... they did for me just prepping this.)

Ohtani, who had a ton of cards during his career in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan starting in 2013, appears on literally thousands of unique baseball cards -- he'll probably hit around 15,000 by year's end or this time next year. More than 3,000 of those are from 2018 alone. His time in MLB releases started almost immediately as he never needed MiLB time and arrived in almost everything in the 2018 lineups from Topps, Panini America and elsewhere -- Rookie Cards, parallels, autographs, memorabilia you name it he's had it all since then. And there will be plenty more to come, perhaps making those earlier cards feel more unique to some ... especially if they missed out.

For simplicity's sake here, we have carved out all of his Topps Now and several other small-set cards sold as online releases as well as Panini America's meaty lineup of Ohtani (about 30 basic RCs and tons more when it comes to hits and inserts). We've also punted all autographs and Relic cards to make this a starting point with the widest affordability and accessibility possible, though there are plenty of high-dollar cards in this roundup.

Keep reading for a rundown of Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards ... and it won't even be all of his stuff you could dabble with from that key year as there are plenty of cards with RC logos that don't fall under the definition.

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Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. Brailyn Marquez, LHP, Cubs — Low-A South Bend Cubs
Baseball America’s highlight line: “The unquestioned best pitching prospect in the Cubs’ system, Marquez put together his best start as a pro on July 25. The lefthander set a career-high with 14 strikeouts, doing so in part with a fastball that touched as high as 101 mph. The start continued a stellar July in which Marquez has whiffed 33 batters in 21.1 innings. He’s also allowed just one home run since May 1."

CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): Only MiLB team set cards
First Chrome auto: None yet
One auto to consider: None yet
Buzz’s card take: This 20-year-old is in his fourth season of MiLB ball and his total numbers aren't overwhelming -- 11-11 with a 3.45 ERA and 253 strikeouts in 224 innings. It's this season that has that Ks ratio up so that's a good sign but he's got nothing but MiLB team set cards to chase right now. He should be one to watch once he gets some prospect cardboard in packs but this feels like a long-term watch since he's still in A-ball.

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

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Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. Joey Wentz, LHP, Braves — Double-A Mississippi Braves
Baseball America’s highlight line: “While his Mississippi rotation-mates have soared, Wentz has found Double-A to be a little more difficult. But lately there have been some very positive signs. His velocity has ticked back up to the 91-94 mph range, which helps his changeup play as the above-average and even plus pitch it can be at its best. Wentz tied his career high in strikeouts with nine on July 1 and then set a new career high with 10 strikeouts on July 6."

CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 225
First Chrome auto: 2018 Bowman
One auto to consider: 2015 Leaf Perfect Game
Buzz’s card take: That BA blurb didn't seem all that sold on him but the reason he's here might be his overall stats -- 19 strikeouts in 12-plus innings with just two runs and five walks in his last two starts. A 1.42 ERA ain't shabby, either. He doesn't have a lot of cards in general -- and just under 100 autographs -- despite arriving back in 2015 Leaf Perfect Game releases. His first Chrome autos arrived just last year so check those boxes if you were busy chasing Shohei Ohtani this time last year. The Braves are going to be getting plenty of looks from collectors with all their young talent ... so he's worth a look, too.

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

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Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. Wander Franco, SS, Tampa Bay Rays — Low-A Bowling Green Hot Rods
Baseball America’s highlight line: “In 108 minor league games, only one pitcher has managed to strike him out more than once. ... He has not struck out swinging since May 20, and has not struck out at all since May 24. ... Through June 2, Franco is hitting .326 in the Midwest League as an 18-year-old. Two years ago, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was in the Midwest League as an 18-year-old, he hit … .326."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 300
First Chrome auto: 2019 Bowman 
One auto to consider: 2018 Elite Extra Edition
Buzz’s card take: The bad news here? If you don't know his name, you're late to the party and that will cost you way more buying his autos. The good news here? First, he's being compared to Vladdy Jr., and second he's got plenty of ink -- about half of his cards come with autos -- and there are inevitably more on the way. Simple as that. Pulling his autos are the best way to go as buy-in prices for his first Chrome ink can be on the stupid side ... well, only if he doesn't deliver. (So far, he has.)

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

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Between everyday Buzz Breaks and the near-monthly Buzz 12 in 12 marathons, Buzz busted a lot of packs in 2018.

How many? Well, Buzz is almost afraid to count -- though it was seemingly news to me that the 12 in 12 marathons actually started early last year. (That's even more proof there's been a lot of wax to get these hands ... it's all a blur.)

It was a year of memorable pulls for me at times with some icons' autographs found in my packs. It also was fun one ripping into really old packs, too, with some cheap thrills there.

Breaks are among the most-popular items seen here nearly every day and Buzz knows that. So look for plenty of breaks in 2019 -- but, before that time comes, keep reading for links to not one, not 18, but 25 memorable breaks from 2018.

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Collectors who ripped into packs of 2018 Bowman and found a Lucky Redemption now know their card.

It's New York Yankees rookie infielder Gleyber Torres.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: The big Shohei Ohtani sale, more "Life before Trout," big pulls and more in today's edition.

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Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. DJ Peters, OF, Dodgers — Double-A Tulsa Drillers
Season so far: Hitting .236 with 23 doubles, 29 homers, 60 RBI and 1 SB in 131 games
Baseball America’s highlight line: "Peters remains the same balance of pluses and minuses that he was going into last year, but he’s a lot higher profile now thanks to 55 home runs in two seasons. Peters hit 27 home runs in the California League in 2017. Thanks to his furious finish, he finished with 28 home runs in the Texas League in 2018. ... The power is still some of the best in the minors, and there aren’t many center fielders anywhere in pro ball who can crank 25-plus home runs in a season."

CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 175
First Chrome auto: 2018 Bowman
One auto to consider: 2013 Leaf Perfect Game
Buzz’s card take: He's got fewer than 50 certified autos so that, along with his homers, could spark some competition from bidders. He's only got autos from this season and then his earliest ones from Leaf Perfect Game five years ago. He's also in 2018 Panini Chronicles where you can find some variety in ink.

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

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Like many collectors, Buzz is a fan of grading and knows that there are many reasons that collectors choose to slab cards. Sometimes it's to enhance the appeal and protect them when selling. Other times it's to protect an investment for the long-term or to protect for sentimental reasons. Or, it might be just for fun or curiosity about a potential grade.

Here's this month's grading diary here on The Buzz ...

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Do you like Buzz Breaks? Today's your day then as we launch 12 in 12 -- a series of a dozen breaks of wax boxes and wax packs in a dozen hours. We'll post one every hour all day long ... this is Hour 3.

The packs: 2018 Bowman baseball cards (six jumbo packs)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

What's inside this one? Keep reading ...

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Here's a look at the top five players on this week's Baseball America Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheet and their seasons so far. It's a little something to help those who might want to dabble with prospecting -- some basics on their baseball cards alongside a highlight line from those more scouting-minded. We may not do this every week, but we'll check in on BA's top crop from time to time for the remainder of the season.

1. Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros — Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies
Season so far: Hitting .314 with 23 doubles, 10 homers, 57 RBI and 13 SBs in 69 games
Baseball America’s highlight line: “Tucker, the Astros’ No. 1 overall prospect, absolutely destroyed the Pacific Coast League this week and has done so all June long. In the season’s third month, Tucker, still just 21 years old, holds a .415 average and a 1.085 OPS. More than that, he’s also a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen bases."
CARDBOARD BASICS
Approximate card total (so far): 650
First Chrome auto: 2015 Bowman Chrome Draft 
One auto to consider: 2012 Elite Extra Edition (USA Baseball)
Buzz’s card take: He's got a ton of cards but he hit 25 homers last season and he's in the World Series champions organization, so there are a few reasons to chase and watch. If you can't land the Chrome, that really early USA option should have some decent appeal with a number of collectors. He's a Top 15 prospect per Baseball America and a Top 20 guy to MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus -- so you should know his name already if you dabble in prospects.

Keep reading for the rest of the top five ...

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Have you seen the latest crazy items on eBay? If not, you just might see some of those here every week as we're launching a weekly version of our eBay Buzz pieces that pop up from time to time. We’ll spotlight some items that have a story or just wow us with how much interest it might have — and we’re not just talking baseball cards, either.

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AN OHTANI 1/1 ... ON THE CHEAP?
The Item: 2018 Bowman Shohei Ohtani Yellow 1/1 Printing Plate
The Price: $879 Buy-It-Now (or best offer)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: The speculators in Shohei Ohtani cardboard might be less speculative now that he is facing injury issues that could sideline him for some time -- at least it's looking that way. But, if this one had been found a month ago, it would be much pricier than that asking price. No matter what he does in MLB from here on out -- on the mound or with his bat -- he'll always be an established star in Japan. That's what makes this one seem under-priced to me.
Similar Pieces: Shohei Ohtani autos on eBay
The BlowoutCards.com Hunt: Click here for 2018 baseball boxes

Keep reading for four more interesting items in this week's roundup ...

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The Big One has been found.

The 2018 Bowman Shohei Ohtani Superfractor autograph has been pulled from a hobby box of the baseball cards by John Muheim, a business partner at Spectrum Photography in Orangevale, Calif., who is a St. Louis Cardinals fan and a long-time collector.

"I've been collecting since 1999-2000 and have had some good fortune over the years. But this is the whale," Muheim said. "I've opened three jumbos and this was the fourth regular hobby box. ... I plan to grade it and have already talked with Beckett Grading Services. I have lots of ideas after that and definitely have a big decision to make. Selling is of course at the top of the list."

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: How about highlights from 249 -- yep, 249 -- 2018 Bowman Mega Box breaks on this Saturday morning?

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Inside 138 2018 Bowman Mega Boxes, first Rip Cards and more chatter.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Busting new (old) NFL, a bulk buy keeps on giving, Mega Box go BOOM! (Shohei Ohtani edition) Warriors vs. Cavs (again), debating worst MLB releases and prepping for the NSCC.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Big pulls, NSCC chatter & more on this Monday.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Bowman Mega Box madness, big pull in one pack, NSCC preparations, Solo Star Wars sketches, chasing Mookie Betts ... and winning.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Nothing but pulls in today's rundown ... some fun stuff from around the collecting world.

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In addition to our $100,000 offer for Shohei Ohtani's 2018 Bowman Superfractor autograph, BlowoutCards.com is now offering $25,000 for his Red Refractors (/5) and for his autographs signed using Kanji, which are rare -- and still a bit mysterious -- inclusions in the product.

Blowout Cards is located at 11 Acacia Lane in Sterling, Va. For more details, you can contact us via email at support@blowoutcards.com.

Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

>> Click here to buy cards on BlowoutCards.com

The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Ozzie Albies, 2018 Bowman Mega Boxes, big pulls and NSCC prep.

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2018 Bowman baseball cards (five jumbo packs)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

Packs per pack: 4 (three standard packs, one Camo parallels pack)
Cards per pack: 35 (10 per standard, five in Camo pack)
Cards in this lot: 175

Set completion: 
43 of 100 (43 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Prospect set completion: 43 of 150 (29 percent)
Duplicates: 0
Chrome Prospect set completion: 
30 of 150 (20 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base/prospect cards – Juan Soto, Dylan Cozens, Nick Senzel, Alex Faedo, Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant, Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton, MacKenzie Gore, Luis Robert, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Gleyber Torres, Cal Quantrill, Nick Gordon, Jeren Kendall, Jo Adell, Gleyber Torres, Fernando Tatis Jr.

Rookie Cards (23) – Notables include Shohei Ohtani, Rhys Hoskins, Amed Rosario, Rafael Devers, Clint Frazier, Walker Buehler

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From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The packs: 2018 Bowman baseball cards (six jumbo packs)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

Packs per pack: 4 (three standard packs, one Camo parallels pack)
Cards per pack: 35 (10 per standard, five in Camo pack)
Cards in this lot: 210

Set completion: 
49 of 100 (49 percent)
Duplicates: 1
Prospect set completion: 40 of 150 (27 percent)
Duplicates: 14
Chrome Prospect set completion: 
31 of 150 (21 percent)
Duplicates: 5

Notables on base/prospect cards – Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jake Burger, Gleyber Torres, Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, Pete Alonso, A.J. Puk, Nick Senzel, Jo Adell, Nick Gordon, Kyle Wright, Cristian Pache, D.J. Peters, Dansby Swanson, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Gary Sanchez, Carlos Correa, Buster Posey, Manny Machado, Albert Pujols, Andrew Benintendi

Rookie Cards (18) – Notables include Shohei Ohtani, Ozzie Albies (2), Rhys Hoskins, Walker Buehler, Miguel Andujar

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Pondering the greatness of Mookie Betts, busting 2018 Bowman Mega Boxes, a huge WWE case break and other big pulls from around the collecting world.

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The Blowout Cards Forums are where thousands of collectors converge daily to discuss, well, a little bit of everything. Here are a few threads about collecting and more that you should check out right now.

What's Buzzing Today: Big pulls, NSCC chatter, debating what to do with Robinson Cano cards & more.

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