Fans in Cleveland know him, but “Jose Ramirez cards” don’t often roll off the tongue when collectors discuss the hottest names in the hobby.
That may be changing.
The 24-year-old Ramirez already has several big league years on his stat line. A versatile player with switch-hitting ability, he’s been called the Tribe’s “offensive MVP” by Sports Illustrated. He’s a doubles machine, possibly on his way to being the first player since 1936 to have 60 of them in a season. He banged out 176 hits in 2016 and should beat that total in 2017 while increasing his power production. He’s also the first switch-hitter in MLB history to record five extra base hits in one game. Whether you measure his numbers the old fashioned way or prefer WAR, OPS, etc., he appears primed for a long, productive career.
Here’s a look at Jose Ramirez rookie cards and those issued before he became a mainstay on Cleveland’s roster.
Pre-Rookie Cards
Ramirez was the first player from the Dominican Prospect League to sign an MLB contract. He made his big league debut on September 1, 2013 after spending a year in the Cleveland minor league system. His first card appeared in 2012 Topps Pro Debut. In 2013 he appeared in Topps Heritage Minors, a product that also produced his first autographed card.
Ramirez did not appear in the popular Bowman Chrome releases during his time as a prospect.
2014 Rookie Cards
Jose Ramirez’ rookie cards were scattered throughout 2014 products from Topps and Panini. There were more than 150 cards issued that year in sets such as Topps, Bowman, Topps Chrome, Finest from Topps, and Panini National Treasures, Donruss, Classics, and Elite from Panini. Of these, more than 50 were autograph cards making for a variety of selections for collectors at all price levels.
The most popular cards with collectors so far seem to be his autographed rookie cards from Topps Chrome and Topps Finest. As of this writing, they have been selling for just over $50 in ungraded condition. Limited numbered parallels of these cards have been selling over $100 and, in certain cases, over $200.
In fact, the average price for a Ramirez autograph as of this writing was just over $50.
Ramirez performed well in the 2016 World Series and should Cleveland continue to be a post-season force, he’ll have more opportunities to come out from the shadows cast by some other young standouts in larger markets.
Here is a look of the most watched Jose Ramirez cards on eBay right now.
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