Matt Wieters
Date of Birth: 5/21/1986
Rookie Card Year: 2009
Investment Rating: 7.0
Overview
Matt Wieters has emerged as one of baseball's top catchers. However, there is a clear lack of Matt Wieters cards on the secondary market. Having not signed a deal with Topps, there are very few fully licensed MLB Matt Wieters cards available to collectors. If this continues, it could lead to a premium that they might not otherwise have.
Taken fifth overall by the Orioles in the 2007 MLB Draft, Wieters was quickly one of the game's top prospects. It didn't take long for him to make the big league team, debuting with Baltimore in May, 2009. Under normal circumstances, this would open up the floodgates for Matt Wieters rookie cards. But these weren't normal circumstances.
Unlike other card makers, Topps has a long history of signing players to individual contracts. Wieters, who signed an exclusive autograph deal with Razor in 2008. He would remain a company exclusive until a year after he made his debut on an MLB roster. The only way another company could include autographs of the catcher before then would be to work out a deal with Razor. Upper Deck did that, producing six autographed Matt Wieters rookie cards for 2009 products, along with a pair of non-autographed rookies.
Topps had an eTopps Matt Wieters card in 2009 that was offered online. To this day, that's Wieters' only Topps-branded card.
With Panini producing cards licensed by the MLBPA, Matt Wieters cards are still making their way to the hobby. However, there aren't nearly as many as one might expect of one of the game's top players. This could all change quickly if Wieters and Topps come to an agreement. But until then, collectors will have to settle for far fewer cards.
The first Matt Wieters cards date back to 2005. Upper Deck made both base, autograph and memorabilia cards for their USA Baseball sets. Playoff had autographs in 2007 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Baseball, which was released prior to Wieters' Razor deal. As one might expect, Wieters was featured heavily in Razor's 2008 products. As a result, the majority of Matt Wieters autograph cards come from his days as a prospect.
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Rookie Cards
Matt Wieters Rookie Card Guide
2009 eTopps Matt Wieters #26 Print Run: 1499
The 2009 eTopps Matt Wieters is, thus far, the only card of the catcher from Topps. Available originally through Topps' online platform, today they're treated more like premium oddball cards. It boasts a high-end look that deserves more attention than the novelty status it receives. The card has a print run of 1499 copies. However, not that many are in circulation as collectors were encouraged to have the cards held by eTopps and traded on eBay.
2009 SP Authentic Matt Wieters RC #245 Autograph #/200
Since debuting in the mid-90s, SP Authentic has long been recognized as one of the top brands for rookie cards. The 2009 SP Authentic Matt Wieters rookie card is tough to find, numbered to 200 copies. Like most of his rookies from Upper Deck, it also comes autographed. It's not the most memorable of designs. The blacked view of Wieters' face also hurts the overall appeal of the card a little. That said, this is still one of his best rookie cards.
2009 SPx Matt Wieters RC #124 Autograph
Traditionally, SPx has some of the wilder designs of any given year. The 2009 SPx Matt Wieters certainly has a lot happening, but the end result is actually quite clean. Although not numbered, the autograph is relatively rare.
2009 Upper Deck Update Matt Wieters RC #U35
Matt Wieters has just one pack-inserted rookie card that doesn't come with a serial number, autograph or other premium add-on. His 2009 Upper Deck Update card was inserted in fat packs that mixed both 2009 Upper Deck Series 1 and Series 2. So while it's a straightforward card, it's also one of Wieters' toughest rookies to find.
2009 Upper Deck Ballpark Collection Matt Wieters RC #90 Autograph #/150
This is Matt Wieters rookie card with the second lowest print run. Another autograph, it has plenty of foil and a large nameplate. Despite its low print run, prices remain relatively reasonable.
2009 Upper Deck Icons Matt Wieters RC #125 #/999
One of the few Matt Wieters rookie cards that doesn't have a signature, his 2009 Upper Deck Icons card is numbered to 999. That might make you think they're somewhat available, right? Not so. While they're out there, it may take a little searching and patience.
2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars Matt Wieters RC #209 Autograph
Few will notice it by looking at it, but the 2009 Upper Deck Signature Series Matt Wieters rookie isn't licensed by MLB. Not numbered, the card comes with an autograph and is priced relatively reasonably. The lack of logos and late release date have kept this set somewhat under the radar of many collectors.
2009 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Matt Wieters RC #122 Autograph #/350
Visually, this might be the best Matt Wieters rookie card. The action shot has a lot of personality and the textured card stock helps set Sweet Spot apart from a lot of other brands. The on-card signature certainly adds a lot to the card's appeal as well.
2009 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Matt Wieters RC #103 Autograph #/135
Lowest print run? Yup. On-card autograph? Check. It's not hard to see why this is one of the best Matt Wieters cards available today.
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Autograph Guide
Matt Wieters Autographed Memorabilia Buying Guide
Below you will find an example of what Matt Wieters' authentic signature looks like. This can be used as a first point of reference for determining the legitimacy of autograph memorabilia, but is not a substitute for having your items authenticated by a well-respected professional autograph authentication company. Some of the trusted sources within the sports memorabilia market include the following companies: PSA, JSA, and Mounted Memories.
Matt Wieters Cut Signature Exemplar:
Matt Wieters Key Signature Attributes: An authentic Matt Wieters signature autograph will exhibit several distinguishing characteristics. Regardless of the type of item or when it was signed, look for the following signature features:
- The signature exhibits an overall consistency that lows, with very few starts and stops.
- The letters of the first name are all legible, equal in size, with a slight lean to the right.
- The letter "a" is open and the cross of the "t-t" is a single line with a small curlycue on the left.
- The letter "W" is discernible.
- The remaining character of the last name resemble a capital "D" intersected by a large printed letter "L" shape.
Matt Wieters Signed Baseball Pricing:
Active Listings for Matt Wieters Signed Baseballs
Matt Wieters Signed Bat Pricing:
Active Listings for Matt Wieters Signed Bats
Matt Wieters Signed Photograph Pricing:
Active Listings for Matt Wieters Signed Photographs
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More Info
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