How does Shohei Ohtani have a RC card?

[bn2cardz]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

A quick point, if Ohtani plays in the majors (or possibly even be on the 25-man roster) before 9.1 he will have a legit 2018 Rookie Card this year.

While money is important, I believe if this rule gets flouted then Panini should start using official logos on their cards since no rule is sacred to MLBPA and MLB properties. Once these rules are no longer followed, then let Panini have even competition. (I understand the contracts, but this is making a point)

Rich

Even if he is an official RC for the year, that doesn't condone the printing of cards prior to his first Official game is OK. The rules were already disregarded and and went unchecked. They have set a new precedent for producing cards. No longer does a prospect need to have played a game nor be on a roster, they just need to be popular and "too big to fail". Even Yu Darvish had to wait to have a RC card until after his first game just 6 years ago.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by bn2cardz

Even if he is an official RC for the year, that doesn't condone the printing of cards prior to his first Official game is OK. The rules were already disregarded and and went unchecked. They have set a new precedent for producing cards. No longer does a prospect need to have played a game nor be on a roster, they just need to be popular and "too big to fail". Even Yu Darvish had to wait to have a RC card until after his first game just 6 years ago.

Or maybe they wanted to capitalize before he did fail.

[Rich Klein]

Well he did play on opening day so at least that part of this discussion is now mute. The bigger issue will be if the player does not come up in the year

[Peter_Spaeth]

It looks like he has a 2017 card in an Angels uniform.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2017-TOPPS-...cAAOSwAy5aowA~