Something Fishy: 20 Top-Selling Mike Trout Cards
It's been a good year for rookies in baseball. Heading into the season, Yu Darvish and Yoenis Cespedes were generating a lot of hobby buzz. A short time later, Bryce Harper's arrival in Washington sent the excitement to another level. Throw in other highly touted first-year standouts like Brett Lawrie, Matt Moore and Jesus Montero, and 2012 had the makings of a stellar year. But then Mike Trout happened and things really blew up. Even with a bumper crop of rookies, the Angels outfielder stood above them all and Mike Trout cards quickly became one of the hobby's benchmarks.
Mike Trout isn't a prospect who flew under the radar. In fact, he's been someone prospectors have had a close eye on for a couple of years now. People knew he was going to be good but few expected him to be this great, this fast. Having just turned 21, Trout has a legitimate shot at not only winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award but MVP honors as well. The last player to do that was Ichiro in 2001.
Despite not starting the season in Anaheim, Trout still leads the AL in stolen bases and runs scored. He's also tops in batting average. Looking into the future, we could be talking Triple Crown contention.
Because he made his debut with the Angels last year, Mike Trout rookie cards were included in several 2011 products. While they've all been hot all season, it's his 2009 cards that have really soared. Trout's first MLB autograph is from 2009 Bowman Draft. Although technically an insert and not a rookie card, many collectors treat it as the must-have Mike Trout card.
Over the summer, all Mike Trout cards have soared to new heights. Anything with an autograph has been particularly hot.
Here's a look back at the top 20 Mike Trout card sales over the last three months. The prices are astonishing. Although his 2009 Bowman Draft autograph and its many parallels account for the majority of high-end sales, cards from other sets also appear. One card also appears twice. A 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Orange Refractor Autograph numbered 25/25 BGS 9.5 sold on June 10 for $2,075. Not bad. However, the buyer went and flipped it a month later for $3,050.
The real question is, where do these prices go from here? If he truly is baseball's best player, how high will Mike Trout cards go?
Top 20 Mike Trout Cards
Data based on completed eBay sales between May 29 and August 26, 2012.
1. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Orange Refractor Autograph Mike Trout #/25 - $3,350
2. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Orange Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 25/25 BGS 9.5 - $3,050
3. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Gold Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 45/50 BGS 9.5 - $3,000
4. 2011 Topps Finest Red Refractor Rookie Autograph Mike Trout 8/25 BGS 10 - $2,840
5. 2009 Bowman Sterling Yellow Printing Plate Autograph Mike Trout 1/1 - $2,800
6. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Gold Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 46/50 BGS 9.5 - $2,750
7. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Gold Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 22/50 BGS 9.5 - $2,499
8. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Gold Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 16/50 BGS 9.5 - $2,499
9. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Gold Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 41/50 BGS 9.5 - $2,325
10. 2011 Topps Finest Die Cut Rookie Autograph Mike Trout 05/10 BGS 9.5 - $2,227
11. 2009 Bowman Sterling Black Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 19/25 BGS 10 - $2,150
12. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Blue Refractor Autograph Mike Trout #/150 BGS 9.5 - $2,100
13. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Orange Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 25/25 BGS 9.5 - $2,075
14. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Orange Refractor Autograph Mike Trout #/25 BGS 9.5 - $2,056.55
15 (tie). 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractor Autograph Mike Trout #/500 BGS 10 - $2,000
15 (tie). 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Blue Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 088/150 BGS 9.5 - $2,000
15 (tie). 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Blue Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 140/150 BGS 9.5 - $2,000
18. 2010 Bowman Platinum Red Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 6/10 BGS 9.5 - $1,947
19. 2011 Topps Finest Purple Refractor Rookie Autograph Mike Trout 1/5 - $1,900
20. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Gold Refractor Autograph Mike Trout 13/50 BGS 9.5 - $1,850
 |
Mike Falzone | Sep 15, 2012 | Reply
I have a 1/1 mike trout black printing plate #TT27 Tools of the trade rookie. Any idea what it is worth?