
Investing in the cards of pitchers can be an exercise fraught with peril. The changing roles of pitchers, injury risk, and the general idea that pitcher’s cards tend to be worth less than those of hitters are all contributors. But there are a few exceptions, particularly when you’re talking about active pitchers who are already sure-thing Hall of Famers.
One of these pitchers whose cards are well worth chasing is Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw.
But who is Kershaw? What are his early career and rookie cards worth chasing? And which one is right for your collecting tastes and budget?
Since being drafted with the 7th pick of the 2006 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw has been one of the biggest stars during a very successful era for the team.
Since making his major league debut in 2008, Kershaw has been selected as an All-Star 10 times. He has won 5 ERA titles, including four in a row, and won a pitching triple crown.
Kershaw won the Cy Young Award 3 times, including consecutive wins. He’s also won a Gold Glove, an MVP award, and a World Championship with the Dodgers in 2020. Kershaw had a 7-season run from 2011 to 2017 that saw him go 118-41 with a 2.10 ERA. He added 1,623 K’s in 1,452 IP. It was quite simply one of the best 7-year runs by a pitcher ever, and certainly in the modern era.
While injuries have slowed him of late when on the mound he’s remained one of the best in the game. After missing much of the 2024 season to injury, he recently returned to the mound with solid early results.
For his career, Kershaw has put up a 211-94 record (good for a .692 winning percentage) along with an ERA of 2.49 (157 ERA+). Those winning percentage, ERA, and ERA+ numbers all lead all active players. He also has 2,961 career strikeouts.
For his career, Kershaw has been worth 79.6 WAR, which ranks 3rd among active players (behind just Mike Trout and Justin Verlander) and ranks 27th all-time among starting pitchers. The only pitchers above him not on the list who are not in the Hall of Fame are the still-active Verlander and Roger Clemens.
Clayton Kershaw has been so good for so long that I believe he’s underrated. That ERA+ and winning percentage are downright elite. When he does decide to hang up his cleats, Kershaw will easily be elected to the Hall of Fame, likely in his first year of eligibility.
According to the Trading Card Database at TCDB.com, Clayton Kershaw has appeared on 14,625 total cards, including parallels and other alternate versions. Those began the year before Kershaw even went pro, and the number should continue to grow as he appears in late-season sets across the rest of 2024.
Despite being released close to 20 years ago, early Kershaw cards are ultra-modern enough that he has pre-draft cards, 1st Bowman autographs, prospect cards, and true rookie cards all in different years.
Kershaw appeared on his 1st Bowman Autographed card the same year he was drafted. The 2006 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Clayton Kershaw is also his first Bowman autograph. An unsigned version of the card does not exist.
Between Kershaw’s amazing career and the limited print run of this card, it can be tough to find in top grades and is priced accordingly. PSA has graded a scant 241 of these, although 116 of them are in PSA 10 slabs. In that condition, the last sale was for $2,650. In a PSA 9, of which there are less than 100, expect to pay around $800.
If your collecting budget allows, this is THE Clayton Kershaw card to chase. Even more challenging are Blue (/150), Gold (/50), and Orange (/25) Refractors and 1/1 Printing Plates.
Card | Total PSA Pop | Recent Sale Pop | Recent Sale Price |
---|---|---|---|
2006 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Clayton Kershaw #DP84 | 241 | PSA 10 = 116 | PSA 10 = $2,650 |
Clayton Kershaw had his official rookie cards in 2008, his first big league season. Between all the different cards, parallels, and variations, he appeared on over 200 cards that year. Below are a few different base cards (and an auto or two) worth chasing.
Of course, there are parallel versions of many of these that come at higher price points and lower pop counts.
2008 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Clayton Kershaw may be one of the best options on the list. With a reasonable total PSA population (818) and a reasonable percentage of PSA 10s (168), plus the classic black borders, it checks a lot of boxes.
In a PSA 10 slab, these are selling for between $400-500. For an even tougher chase, the autographed version has been graded only 19 times by PSA.
The 2008 Topps Updates & Highlights Clayton Kershaw has a total PSA population over 5 times as high as the Bowman Chrome, and 1,374 PSA 10s, yet the card sells for roughly the same as the rarer Bowman Chrome at around $450 for a PSA 10 example.
Heading back to the lower population counts, the 2008 Topps Heritage Clayton Kershaw has only been graded 390 times, but of those, 256 are in PSA 10 slabs. In that grade, they sell for around $500. If you like vintage-style cards, it’s a good choice.
If you’re looking for other vintage-themed products that offer lower price points, the 2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Clayton Kershaw and the 2008 Upper Deck Goudey Clayton Kershaw are nice-looking cards. Both offer higher population counts than the Heritage card, but prices of only $50-70 for a PSA 10.
If you prefer a focus on photography and some gloss, the 2008 Stadium Club Clayton Kershaw is another great-looking card with a low PSA population. In a PSA 10 slab, these sell for $200-225.
An overlooked autographed offering is the 2008 Bowman Sterling Clayton Kershaw which offers a low PSA pop and only 113 PSA 9s. In that grade, they go for around $200-225.
Which Kershaw rookie card is right for you? All things being equal, I like the Bowman Chrome, especially the autograph. The lower population counts vs. the Topps Update make them a winner.
The Stadium Club and the Bowman Sterling offer two deeper cuts that have low populations and feel undervalued. For a low-cost buy, you can’t go wrong with the Allen & Ginter or Goudey, especially if you’re a fan of vintage designs.
Card | Total PSA Pop | Recent Sale Pop | Recent Sale Price |
---|---|---|---|
2008 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Clayton Kershaw #BDP26a | 818 | PSA 10 = 168 | PSA 10 = $400-500 |
2008 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Clayton Kershaw #BDP26b AU | 19 | PSA 9 = 9 | PSA 9 = NA |
2008 Bowman Sterling Clayton Kershaw #BS-CK | 306 | PSA 9 = 113 | PSA 9 = $200-225 |
2008 Stadium Club Clayton Kershaw #107 | 311 | PSA 10 = 46 | PSA 10 = $200-225 |
2008 Topps Allen & Ginter Clayton Kershaw #72 | 1,893 | PSA 10 = 1,453 | PSA 10 = $50-70 |
2008 Topps Heritage Clayton Kershaw #595 | 390 | PSA 10 = 256 | PSA 10 = $500 |
2008 Topps Updates & Highlights Clayton Kershaw #UH240 | 4,365 | PSA 10 = 1,374 | PSA 10 = $450 |
2008 Upper Deck Goudey Clayton Kershaw #75 | 1,255 | PSA 10 = 826 | PSA 10 = $50-70 |
As mentioned above, Kershaw’s cards are ultra-modern enough that he has many pre-rookie, prospect, and other early career cards that are neither his 1st Bowman nor rookie cards. Below is a sampling of a few of our favorites. Is your favorite not included? Let us know what your favs are at CardLines on Twitter.
Clayton Kershaw’s first cardboard appearance was from before was even drafted, in the 2005 Upper Deck USA Baseball Junior National Team product. The base card has been graded 400 times by PSA, with over half of those graded in PSA 10 slabs.
They sell for $50-75 in that grade, not much for Kershaw’s first cardboard appearance. The product has several rarer parallels and autographs that will sell for more than base that may be worth exploring if Team USA cards are your thing.
Produced the same year as the 1st Bowman, but without the 1st Bowman designation is the 2006 Bowman Heritage Prospects Clayton Kershaw card. It offers a retro-themed design and a population count under 500 with PSA. In a PSA 10, the last few sales have been between $125-135. That feels like a possible undervalue to me.
Sitting in the no-man’s land between the 1st Bowman and the rookie card, the 2007 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Prospects Clayton Kershaw is somewhat overlooked. PSA has graded 1,440 copies of the card, with 386 PSA 10’s. In a PSA 10 slab, these sell for around $70-90. Compared to the rookie cards a year later, these feel like a potential value purchase.
Minor league cards are a lot of fun. They tend to be a bit overlooked, but offer low population counts and some potential for profits, especially if you’re grading them.
One example of a nice Kershaw minor league card is the 2007 Grandstand Midwest League Top Prospects Clayton Kershaw. PSA has graded only 92 copies, of which 29 are in PSA 10 slabs. The last sale of a PSA 10 was for $275.
Card | Total PSA Pop | Recent Sale Pop | Recent Sale Price |
---|---|---|---|
2005 Upper Deck USA Baseball Junior National Team Clayton Kershaw #USA 86 | 400 | PSA 10 = 226 | PSA 10 = $50-75 |
2006 Bowman Heritage Prospects #BHP85 | 481 | PSA 10 = 85 | PSA 10 = $125-135 |
2007 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects Chrome Prospects Clayton Kershaw #BDPP77 | 1,440 | PSA 10 = 386 | PSA 10 = $70-90 |
2007 Grandstand Midwest League Top Prospects Clayton Kershaw #NNO | 92 | PSA 10 = 29 | PSA 10 = $275 |
Clayton Kershaw is already a sure-thing future Hall of Famer. He has a surgically repaired shoulder and could add to his already staggering career totals. I honestly feel that he’s somehow underrated, despite all the hardware he owns.
Kershaw’s rookie cards are already valuable and sought-after. There may be some upside, however, due to the bias against pitcher cards and that generally underrated status.
What’s your favorite Clayton Kershaw rookie or early career card? Are you snapping up his cards? Or passing on this pitcher’s cardboard? Tell us what’s on your mind at CardLines on Twitter.
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