What are short print variations?
Fasten your seatbelts and hold onto your trading cards, as we are about to navigate the innovative and dynamic sphere of the Topps Flagship Short Print (SP) Variations, spotlighting none other than the phenomenal double-threat of Major League Baseball (MLB) – Shohei Ohtani. This game-changer, mastering both batting and pitching, has been at the forefront of Topps' most distinguished SP series from 2018 to 2023.
For the purpose of this post we are just taking a look at short print, super short print and ultra short print variations of Shohei Ohtani's base Topps flagship cards from 2018 - 2023. There will not be any Topps Chrome, Heritage or other sub brands of Topps in this post. In addition we will not be covering any inserts or parallel versions.
Short print variations will be considered anything that has a different image than the base version but also has the same number on the back of the card. For each card we will also take a look at the pop count and the products in which the card can be found.
1. 2018 Topps Shohei Ohtani SP and SSPs (Rookie Cards)
2018 Topps Shohei Ohtani #700 - Base
The 2018 Topps Series 2 Base card features Ohtani with his knee up in a pitching delivery. In the background you will see a navy blue wall. The card is number 700 in the set. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “359”.
These cards can be found in the 2018 Topps Series 2 products.
At the time of this writing there have been over 9600 of these graded by PSA.
2018 Topps Shohei Ohtani #700 SP - With Bat
The 2018 Topps Series 2 SP card features Ohtani with in a red warmup looking to his left and holding a bat in his right hand. In the background you see the batting cage and it appears as if Ohtani has just finished his round of BP. The card is number 700 in the set. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “412”.
These cards can be found in the 2018 Topps Series 2 products.
At the time of this writing there have been over 389 of these graded by PSA.
2018 Topps Shohei Ohtani #700 SSP - Hand on Helmet
The 2018 Topps Series 2 SSP card features Ohtani with his red “Angels” jersey on running the bases. He appears to have a batting glove on his left hand and he is holding the other one while adjusting the top of his helmet. The card is number 700 in the set. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “414”.
These cards can be found in the 2018 Topps Series 2 products.
At the time of this writing there have been only 48 of these graded by PSA.
2018 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani #US1 - Base
The 2018 Topps Series Update Base card features Ohtani with his red “Angels” jersey just about to pitch the ball. This card can easily be confused for the series 2 version since they are both close-up images of his pitching motion. In this version he is closer to throwing the ball and the background shows more variation in color. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “990”.
These cards can be found in the 2018 Topps Series Update products.
At the time of this writing there have been over 15,000 of these graded by PSA.
2018 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani #US1 - SP Variation Red Warm Up
The 2018 Topps Series Update SP Variation card features Ohtani with his red warmup shirt looking to the left and smiling. The background is blurred and you can see an outfield wall and some bleachers. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “030”.
These cards can be found in the 2018 Topps Series Update products.
At the time of this writing there have been over 500 of these graded by PSA.
2018 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani #US1 - SSP Batting
The 2018 Topps Series Update SSP Variation card features Ohtani with his red jersey finishing his swing. You can clearly see his name and number on the back of his jersey. His bat is waving high in the air as he finishes his swing and he looks downfield to see where the ball ends up. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “032”.
These cards can be found in the 2018 Topps Series Update products.
At the time of this writing there have been 127 of these graded by PSA.
2018 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani #US1 - SSP Pitching in White Jersey
The 2018 Topps Series Update SSP Variation card features Ohtani with his white jersey in his pitching follow through. This is the only one of his 2018 short prints to be in horizontal format. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “032”.
These cards can be found in the 2018 Topps Series Update products.
At the time of this writing there have been 96 of these graded by PSA.
2. 2019 Topps Shohei Ohtani Base Cards and Short Print Variations
2019 Topps Series One Shohei Ohtani Base #250 (All-Star Rookie Cup)
The 2019 Topps Series One base card #250 features Ohtani with his red jersey in his hitting follow through. The card is a second year card and it is his Topps All-Star Rookie Cup version. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “910”.
These cards can be found in the 2019 Topps Series One products.
At the time of this writing there have been 698 of these graded by PSA.
2019 Topps Series One Shohei Ohtani SP Short Print #250 (Bat on Shoulder)
The 2019 Topps Series One base card #250 features Ohtani with his red jersey with his bat resting on his shoulder. The card is a second year card and it is his Topps All-Star Rookie Cup version. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “967”.
These cards can be found in the 2019 Topps Series One products.
At the time of this writing there have been 76 of these graded by PSA.
3. 2020 Topps Shohei Ohtani Base Cards and Short Print Variations
2020 Topps Series One Shohei Ohtani Base #125
The 2020 Topps Series One base card #125 features Ohtani with his red jersey in his batting stance waiting for the pitch to be delivered. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “269”.
These cards can be found in the 2020 Topps Series One products.
At the time of this writing there have been 105 of these graded by PSA.
2020 Topps Series One Shohei Ohtani SP #125 (Warmup Jersey)
The 2020 Topps Series One short print variation card #125 features Ohtani with his red warm up jersey in his throwing motion likely playing catch before the game. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes end in “284”.
These cards can be found in the 2020 Topps Series One products.
At the time of this writing there have been 65 of these graded by PSA.
3. 2021 Topps Shohei Ohtani Base Cards and Short Print Variations
2021 Topps Series One Shohei Ohtani Base Card #150
The 2021 Topps Series One base card #150 features Ohtani white Angels jersey in his pitching motion. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “213”.
These cards can be found in the 2021 Topps Series One products.
At the time of this writing there have been 138 of these cards graded by PSA.
2021 Topps Series One Shohei Ohtani SP Card #150 (batting)
The 2021 Topps Series One short print image variation #125 features Ohtani in his batting practice warmup with his hat backwards taking some bp. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “230”.
These cards can be found in the 2021 Topps Series One products.
At the time of this writing there have been 73 of these cards graded by PSA.
2021 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani SP Card #US150 (catching ball)
The 2021 Topps Update short print image variation #150 features Ohtani in his red warmup smiling and catching a ball. There is no base Ohtani version of #US150. The base version is a Zack Wheeler card. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “416”.
These cards can be found in the 2021 Topps Update products.
At the time of this writing there have been 38 of these cards graded by PSA.
2021 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani SSP Card #US150 (signing autographs)
The 2021 Topps Update super short print image variation #150 features Ohtani signing autographs for fans. It is a horizontally oriented card. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “417”.
These cards can be found in the 2021 Topps Update products.
At the time of this writing there have been 24 of these cards graded by PSA.
2021 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani SSSP Card #150 (big head)
The 2021 Topps Series One ultra super short print image variation #150 is similar to the base version except that Ohtani has a giant head. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “418”.
These cards can be found in the 2021 Topps Update products.
At the time of this writing there have been 21 of these cards graded by PSA.
4. 2022 Topps Shohei Ohtani Base Cards and Short Prints
2022 Topps Series One Shohei Ohtani Base Card #1
The 2022 Topps Series One base card #1 features a batting Ohtani in his road gray uniform. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “543”.
These cards can be found in the 2022 Topps Series One products.
At the time of this writing there have been 283 of these cards graded by PSA.
2022 Topps Series One Shohei Ohtani Short Print (SP) Card #1
The 2022 Topps Series One short print card #1 features a batting Ohtani in his white uniform with a bat in one hand. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “560”.
A couple interesting things can be seen in this image upon further inspection. First is that Ohtani is wearing a lapel microphone with no batting helmet so this appears to be some sort of exhibition. In addition his jersey number is 44 and not his traditional 17. If you look in the background everyone seems to be having a great time. After further research we can conclude this photo was taken during the 2021 Home Run Derby.
These cards can be found in the 2022 Topps Series One products.
At the time of this writing there have been 100 of these cards graded by PSA.
2022 Topps Series One Shohei Ohtani Super Short Print (SSP) Card #1 - West Jersey
The 2022 Topps Series One SSP card #1 features a batting Ohtani in his gray uniform ready to hit with a bat in his hand. What is uniqu about the jersey is that it simply reads “West” across the chest in red letters instead of Angels. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “561”.
These cards can be found in the 2022 Topps Series One products.
At the time of this writing there have been 63 of these cards graded by PSA.
2022 Topps Series Two Shohei Ohtani Base Card #660
The 2022 Topps Series Two base card #660 features a pitching Shohei in his gray uniform with after the pitch has been thrown. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “241”.
These cards can be found in the 2022 Topps Series Two products.
At the time of this writing there have been 125 of these cards graded by PSA.
2022 Topps Series Two Shohei Ohtani Short Print Card (SP) #660
The 2022 Topps Series Two short print card #660 features Shohei in his red Angels uniform in front of what appears to be the US flag in the background. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “865”.
These cards can be found in the 2022 Topps Series Two products.
At the time of this writing there have been 183 of these cards graded by PSA.
2022 Topps Series Two Shohei Ohtani Super Short Print Card (SSP) #660
The 2022 Topps Series 2 super short print card #660 features Shohei in his white Angels uniform while pitching. He appears to have gotten a key out and is expressing his excitement. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “866”.
These cards can be found in the 2022 Topps Series Two products.
At the time of this writing there have been 44 of these cards graded by PSA.
2022 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani Super Short Print Card (SSP) #US84
The 2022 Topps Update super short print card #US84 features Shohei in his red Angels uniform finger pointed towards the sky. He appears to have gotten a key hit and is expressing his excitement. It can also be identified by its code number on the back in which codes for base cards end in “260”.
These cards can be found in the 2022 Topps Update products.
At the time of this writing there have been 45 of these cards graded by PSA.
4. 2023 Topps Shohei Ohtani Base Cards and Short Print Variations
2023 Topps Series 1 Shohei Ohtani Base Card #17
The 2023 Topps Series 1 base card #17 features Shohei in his white Angels uniform. He is pumping his fist after what appears to be a key out or strikeout.
These cards can be found in the 2023 Topps Series one products.
At the time of this writing there have been 278 of these cards graded by PSA.
2023 Topps Series 1 Shohei Ohtani Golden Mirror Super Short Print Card (SSP) #17
The 2023 Topps Golden Mirror super short print card #17 features Shohei in his cream city connect Angels uniform. He is enthusiastically raising his arm in the air after what was likely and important out. On the back this card can be identified by a gold SSP in the upper right corner. In addition the Topps logo in the front is gold foil as well.
These cards can be found in the 2023 Topps Series 1 products.
At the time of this writing there have been 21 of these cards graded by PSA.
2023 Topps Series Two Shohei Ohtani #600
The 2023 Topps Series 2 base card features Shohei in his cream city connect uniform. He is batting and looking toward the outfield where he has likely hit the ball.
These cards can be found in the 2023 Topps Series 2 products.
At the time of this writing there have been 1 of these cards graded by PSA.
2023 Topps Series 2 Golden Mirror Super Short Print Shohei Ohtani #600
The 2023 Topps Series 2 Ohtani short print features Ohtani decked out in a cowboy hat giving high fives in a home run celebration. This card can be identified as well by a golden SSP on the back of the card.
These cards can be found in the 2023 Topps Series 2 products.
At the time of this writing there have not been any of these cards graded by PSA.
