He plays more than half of his games past the bedtimes of a lot of west coasters, but that hasn't stopped the coast-to-coast craziness for Mike Trout autographed baseball cards.
The Angels' young star is the American League's answer to Bryce Harper, a very young breakout star putting up big numbers in the box score and the auction listings. Like Harper, he began his season in the minor leagues, but Trout's numbers are bigger, bolder and more well rounded than Harper's.
His "official" rookie cards didn't come until after his initial big league debut at age 19 last year, it's those very first autograph cards from his draft pick season that are igniting the hobby.
Trout's most sought after signed cards are on 2009 Bowman Draft Picks and 2009 Bowman Sterling. A Chrome auto refractor, graded BGS 10, one of only seven to reach that level thus far, sold for $2,999 on Monday. BGS 9.5 graded orange refractors in BGS 9.5 are bringing $2,000-2,500.
Even autographs from the 2010 Bowman Platinum issue, which were going for $99-119 in June have jumped by 30-40% in the last couple of days. 
Why? Consider Trout's big league numbers in less than three months on the Anaheim roster. Before Tuesday night's game, he was leading the league with a .348 average, had 12 homers, 42 runs batted in and 30 stolen bases. Not bad for a guy who won't turn 21 until next month.
Over the last month, the average Trout autographed card, which includes those he signs for fans, has sold for well over $200. Nearly 78% of the more than 1,000 offered items sold.
Here are some of the trading card company products in which you can find Mike Trout's certified autographs:
2009 Bowman Draft 
2009 Bowman Sterling
2009 Elite Extra Ed
2010 Bowman Platinum
2011 Bowman Sterling
2011 Bowman Platinum
2011 Topps Finest 1
2011 ITG Heroes & Prospects Hits Series 1
2012 Topps Allen & Ginter
2012 Topps Museum
2012 Topps Tribute
2012 Topps Tier One
2012 Topps Series 2
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 2010 Bowman Platinum Baseball 6 Box Hobby Case Mike Trout Strasburg Autos $819.95 Time Remaining: 1h 25m Buy It Now for only: $819.95 |
 2009 Bowman Chrome MIKE TROUT 150 150 Auto Blue Refractor PSA 9 Mint $972.47 (29 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 56m |
 2009 Bowman Draft Picks Prospects Sealed Hobby PACKS Possible Mike Trout Auto $9.99 Time Remaining: 3h 57m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 2013 Gypsy Auto Hot Pack Bryce Harper Willie Mays Mike Trout Nolan Ryan Bundy $6.50 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 8h 51m |
 Mike Trout 2013 Topps Tribute Magenta AUTO PRINTING PLATE 1 1 RARE Angels $234.50 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 9h 3m |
 2009 BOWMAN STERLING PROSPECTS MIKE TROUT AU RC SIGNED BGS 95 w 10 AUTO $400.00 Time Remaining: 9h 9m Buy It Now for only: $600.00 |
 MIKE TROUT 2012 TOPPS ALLEN GINTER MINI ROOKIE RC AUTO AUTOGRAPH 1 1 CODEBREAKER $3,999.95 Time Remaining: 9h 25m Buy It Now for only: $3,999.95 |
 6 Lot 2013 Topps Museum Collection MIKE TROUT VERLANDER KERSHAW Non Auto $4.99 Time Remaining: 10h 2m |
 MIKE TROUT SIGNED AUTO OML BASEBALL PSA DNA 10 ROOKIE $295.00 Time Remaining: 10h 2m Buy It Now for only: $499.99 |
[...] the Ken Griffey Jr. era or are just starting to build a collection of Bryce Harper rookie cards or Mike Trout autographs, the motivation is much the [...]