How does Shohei Ohtani have a RC card?

[bn2cardz]

In Topps Heritage and Topps Opening Day there are Shohei Ohtani Rookie cards with the RC logo. Why is this allowed? He hasn't made the 25 man roster, the only stipulation that I know of. He was, and still is, a non-roster invitation to spring training.

So is there a rule I am missing that allowed Topps to start making 'RC' designated cards for him? Admittedly I only started pondering the question after it started looking like there was a possibility that he may not make the team and may start the season in the minors.

[Rich Klein]

Well that was an assumption he'd be in the majors. It will be interesting if he gets "stuck" in the minors and never comes to the majors. That would actually end up as a violation of the Topps/MLB-MLBPA agreement as players, are supposed to have played in the majors before having an RC.

When the rule was 1st created even Daisuke M. had to actually be on the opening day before an RC could be released of his. This might force everyone to go back and enforce that rule. For if this stands, then if I'm Topps or Panini I begin to open that door even wider in terms of early RC's.

Rich

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

Well that was an assumption he'd be in the majors. It will be interesting if he gets "stuck" in the minors and never comes to the majors. That would actually end up as a violation of the Topps/MLB-MLBPA agreement as players, are supposed to have played in the majors before having an RC.

When the rule was 1st created even Daisuke M. had to actually be on the opening day before an RC could be released of his. This might force everyone to go back and enforce that rule. For if this stands, then if I'm Topps or Panini I begin to open that door even wider in terms of early RC's.

Rich

If I am not mistaken isn't this what caused the Alex Gordon cut out/ white out 2006 Topps card? I do find it interesting that MLB allowed this.

[Peter_Spaeth]

He has cards from Japan dating back I believe to 2013. Why anyone would pay these prices for what is essentially a 6th year card of him is beyond me.

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

He has cards from Japan dating back I believe to 2013. Why anyone would pay these prices for what is essentially a 6th year card of him is beyond me.

Japanese cards, I believe, are equated to minor league cards in the hobby. Similar to people having less respect for the 90's Best cards than the player's first major release. Yet that is still only a tangent as to why Topps was allowed to make these non-prospect cards prior to the season, or any official announcement of him being added to a ML roster.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

Japanese cards, I believe, are equated to minor league cards in the hobby. Similar to people having less respect for the 90's Best cards than the player's first major release. Yet that is still only a tangent as to why Topps was allowed to make these non-prospect cards prior to the season, or any official announcement of him being added to a ML roster.

Haven't we seen a few other aberrations from the stated policy before? I seem to recall a thread about this when discussing the Aaron Judge Topps Now first card.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

He has cards from Japan dating back I believe to 2013. Why anyone would pay these prices for what is essentially a 6th year card of him is beyond me.

+1. So far, he's been way over-hyped IMHO. Let's see some actual production,

Hi, Pete!

Larry