On my YouTube channel I recently created a video on Shohei Ohtani Topps rookie cards. One of my viewers reached out to me and asked about his image variant cards. I thought he only had a couple but upon further review I found many more. So here is a more comprehensive look at the rookie cards of Sho Time!
Shohei Ohtani Topps Rookie Cards
According to my research, in 2018 Topps Company, Inc. produced the following cards of Shohei Ohtani:
36 true rookie cards, 252 true rookie cards with parallels
216 parallel rookie cards
405 rookie-year cards
UPDATE: As of May 25, 2022 an official change has been made and officially recorded. Following current hobby trends I have observed that the hobby has evolved and here forward this website will consider parallel cards as “true” rookie cards. Full details can be seen here: YouTube Video.
The following comprehensive list does not include product released by Topps that was sold only on their website. The rule of thumb is, there should be fair and equal chance at owning said card.
Product that is only available for a limited time or sold only to people who belong to a certain membership group are disqualified as “true” rookie cards for this list.
Commentary for each card may be limited. Inserts featured are only the insert sets that contain a Shohei Ohtani card in the checklist. For the purposes of this website insert cards are typically referred to as “rookie-year cards.”
It took me three weeks to put this article together. Over 20 man hours involved. Resources for this article is Beckett.com and Baseballcardpedia.com.
2018 Allen & Ginter #100(RC)
Allen & Ginter “X” brand was also available exclusively on Topps.com and mimics this standard Allen & Ginter in every aspect.
Parallels(Rookie Cards)
Mini
Mini A&G Back
Mini Black Border
Mini No Number /50
Mini Brooklyn Back /25
Mini Cloth /10
Mini Metal /3
Silver Glossy
Glossy 1 of 1
Mini Glossy 1 of 1
Mini Wood 1 of 1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
World Talent #WT-24
Boxloaders #BL-7
N43 Boxloaders #N43-20
Rip Cards #RIP-95 /75
Double Rip Cards #DRIP-24 /15
Double Rip Cards #DRIP-25 /15
Double Rip Cards #DRIP-30 /15
Framed Mini Autograph #MA-SO
Framed Mini Autograph Red Ink (hobby)
Framed Mini Autograph Black Frame /25
N43 Autograph #N43A-SO /15
2018 Topps Archives #50(RC)
Parallels(Rookie Cards)
Purple /175
Silver /99
Blue /25
Gold 1 of 1
Signature Omission
Venezuelan (darker card stock)
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Future Stars #FS-LAA
Coming Attraction #CA-1
Coming Attraction Autograph #CA-SO
Coins #C-25
Fan Favorite Autographs #FFA-SO
Fan Favorite Auto. Purple /150
Fan Favorite Auto. Silver /99
Fan Favorite Auto. Blue /25
Fan Favorite Auto. Gold 1 of 1
2018 Big League #141(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Blue (retail packs)
Gold
Rainbow Foil /100
Black & White /50
Red Foil 1 of 1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Blaster Box Bottoms #B3
Rookie Republic Autographs #RR-SO
2018 Bowman #49(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Sky Blue /499
Purple /250
Blue /150
Green /99 (retail)
Gold /50
Orange /25 (hobby)
Red /5
Platinum 1 of 1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Chrome Rookie Autographs #CRA-SO
Chrome Rookie Auto. Refractor /499
Chrome Rookie Auto. Blue Ref. /150
Chrome Rookie Auto. Atomic Ref. /100
Chrome Rookie Auto. Green Ref. /99 (retail only)
Chrome Rookie Auto. Gold Ref. /50
Chrome Rookie Auto. Orange Ref. /25 (hobby only)
Chrome Rookie Auto. Red Ref. /5
Chrome Rookie Auto. Super-Fractor 1 of 1
2018 Bowman Chrome #1(RC)
The Bowman Chrome brand, like many others, features an image variant card. For the purposes of this website and this article image variant cards are considered rookie cards so long as the card back is the same and the card number is the same. This is the case for this card.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Refractors /499
Purple Ref. /250
Blue Ref. /150
Green Ref. /99
Gold Ref. /50
Orange Ref. /25
Red Ref. /5
Super-Fractor 1 of 1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Rookie Autographs #BCRA-SO
Rookie Autographs Refractor /499
Rookie Autographs Blue Ref. /150
Rookie Autographs Green Ref. /99
Rookie Autographs Gold Ref. /50
Rookie Autographs Orange Ref. /25
Rookie Autographs Red Ref. /5
Rookie Autographs Super-Fractor 1 of 1
2018 Bowman Platinum #34(RC)
Beautiful card with lots of black borders and an image variant rookie card. For the purposes of this website and this article image variant cards are considered rookie cards so long as the card back is the same and the card number is the same. This is the case for this card.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Ice Pattern Foil Board (blaster boxes)
Sky Blue (rack packs only)
Purple /250
Blue /150
Green /99
Orange /25
Red /10
Foil-Fractor 1 of 1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Rookie Revelations #RR-9
Rookie Revelations Autograph #RRA-SO
Platinum Patches Autograph #PP-SO
Platinum Rookie Auto Pieces #PRAP-SO
2018 Bowman’s Best #1(RC)
The under-rated Bowman’s Best brand does not disappoint.
Parallels(Rookie Cards)
Refractor
Atomic Refractor
Purple Ref. /250
Blue Ref. /150
Green Ref. /99
Gold Ref. /50
Orange /25
Red /10
Super-Fractor 1 of 1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
1998 Best Performers #98BP-SO
1998 Best Performers Atomic Ref.
1998 Best Performers Gold /50
1998 Best Performers Super-Fractor /1
1998 Best Performers Autograph #98BPA-SO
1998 Best Performers Auto. Super-Fractor /1
Neophyte Sensations #NS-SO
Neophyte Sensations Atomic Ref.
Neophyte Sensations Gold Ref. /50
Neophyte Sensations Super-Fractor /1
Neophyte Sensations Autographs #NS-SO /50
Neophyte Sensations Auto. Super-Fractor /1
Power Producers #PP-SO
Power Producers Atomic Refractor
Power Producers Gold Ref. /50
Power Producers Super-Fractor /1
Power Producers Autographs #PP-SO /15
Power Producers Auto. Super-Fractor /1
Best of 2018 Early Form Auto. #B18-SO
Best of 2018 Early Form Auto. Refractor
Best of 2018 Early Form Auto. Green Ref. /99
Best of 2018 Early Form Auto. Gold Ref. /50
Best of 2018 Early Form Auto. Atomic Ref. /25
Best of 2018 Early Form Auto. Red Ref. /10
Best of 2018 Early Form Auto. Super-Fractor /1
Dual Autographs #DA-TO /25
Dual Autographs Atomic Refractor /10
Dual Autographs Super-Fractor /1
2018 Chrome #150(RC)
For the purposes of this website and this article image variant cards are considered rookie cards so long as the card back is the same and the card number is the same. This is the case for this card.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Refractor
Pink Refractor
Prism Refractor
X-Fractor
Sepia Refractor
Negative Black & White Ref.
Purple Ref. /299
Blue Ref. /150
Green Ref. /99
Green Wave Ref.
Blue Wave Ref. /75
Gold Ref. /50
Gold Wave Ref. /50
Orange Ref. /25
Red Ref. /5
Red Wave Ref. /5
Super-Fractor 1 of 1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
1983 Topps #83T-6
1983 Topps Green Ref. /99
1983 Topps Orange Ref. /25
1983 Topps Red Ref. /5
1983 Topps Super-Fractor /1
Freshman Flash #FF-1
Freshman Flash Green Ref. /99
Freshman Flash Orange Ref. /25
Freshman Flash Red Ref. /5
Freshman Flash Super-Fractor /1
Rookie Autograph #RA-SO
Rookie Autograph Ref. /499
Rookie Autograph Purple Ref. /250
Rookie Autograph Blue Ref. /150
Rookie Autograph Blue Wave Ref. /150
Rookie Autograph Green Ref. /99
Rookie Autograph Gold Ref. /50
Rookie Autograph Gold Wave Ref. /50
Rookie Autograph Orange Ref. /25
Rookie Autograph Red Ref. /5
Rookie Autograph Red Wave Ref. /5
Rookie Autograph Super-Fractor /1
1983 Topps Autograph #83TA-SO
1983 Topps Autograph Orange Ref. /25
1983 Topps Autograph Red Ref. /5
1983 Topps Autograph Super-Fractor /1
Freshman Flash Autograph #FFA-SO
Freshman Flash Autograph Orange Ref. /25
Freshman Flash Autograph Red Ref. /5
Freshman Flash Autograph Super-Fractor /1
NOTE: In 2018, Topps also produced Topps Chrome Update and many collectors view it as its own stand alone product and other collectors do not.
I stand in the camp that it is not. The reason? Because a long time hobby standard and Commandment #8 says, “A player’s “rookie card” that is part of an Update, Traded or similar extended set, must not have any other cards issued within that same product line.”
The reason I don’t count the “rookie cards” of Shohei Ohtani inside Topps Chrome Update it’s because this is an extension of the Topps Chrome set and he already has two other rookie cards in that set. However, I do acknowledge and identify the the Chrome Update cards as “rookie-year” cards.
Pink Refractor Refractor (all parallel refractors available for both base set cards).
Refractor /250
X-Fractor /99
Gold Refractor /50
Red Refractor /25
Super-Fractor /1
An International Affair #IA-SO
An International Affair Autograph #AIA-SO
Autograph Refractor #ACBU-SO
Autograph X-Fractor /125
Autograph Gold Ref. /50
Autograph Orange Ref. /25
Autograph Red Ref. /5
Super-Fractor /1
2018 Clearly Authentic#CAA-SO(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Green /99
Black /75
Red /50
Blue /25
Purple /10
Orange /5
Gold /1
Inserts – None
2018 Diamond Icons #AC-SO(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Purple /10
Red /5
Gold /1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Diamond Relics #DR-SO
Diamond Relics Red /5
Diamond Relics Gold /1
Red Ink Autographs #RIA-SO
Red Ink Autographs Purple /10
Red Ink Autographs Red /5
Red Ink Autographs Gold /1
Diamond Autograph #DA-SOH
Diamond Autograph Purple /10
Diamond Autograph Red /5
Diamond Autograph Gold /1
2018 Dynasty #AP-SO1(RC)
Dynasty offers 4 other cards in the set, AP-SO2 – SO5. However, technically speaking they should be considered image variants but the card backs are different and the card numbering is different. When this happens long time rookie card standards are only the first card featured in the set gets the RC designation.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
On This Day Auto Patch Parallel /5
On This Day Auto Patch Parallel /1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Dual Autograph Patch #DAP-SO /5
Dual Autograph Patch /1
2018 Finest #100(RC)
Another under-rated brand. Finest has lots to offer as far as eye appeal goes.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Refractor
Purple Refractor /250
Blue Ref. /150
Green Ref. /99
Gold Ref. /50
Orange Ref. /25
Red Ref. /5
Super-Fractor /1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Finest Firsts #FF-SO
Finest Firsts Gold Refractor /50
Finest Firsts Red /5
Finest Firsts Super-Fractor /1
2018 Fire #150(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Blue Chip (rack packs only)
Gold Minted (4 per blaster box)
Flame
Orange /299
Green /199
Purple /99
Magenta /25
Onyx (wax packs only)
Inferno /1 (wax packs only)
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Hot List #HS-1
Flame Throwers #FT-13
Fire Relics #FR-SO
Fire Relics Green /75
Fire Relics Purple /50
Fire Relics Magenta /25
Fire Relics Inferno /1
Fire Autographs #FA-SO
Fire Autographs Green /75
Fire Autographs Purple /50
Fire Autographs Magenta /25
Fire Autographs Inferno /1
Triple Autographs #TDA-TOU /5
Fire Autograph Patch #FAP-SO /25
Fire Autograph Patch Blue /15
Fire Autograph Patch Magenta /10
Fire Autograph Patch Inferno /1
2018 Five Star #FSA-SO(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Purple /50
Blue /25
Green /15
Gold /10
Orange /5
Red /1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Golden Graphs Purple #FGG-SO /25
Golden Graphs Blue /20
Golden Graphs Green /15
Golden Graphs Gold /10
Golden Graphs Orange /5
Golden Graphs Red /1
Silver Signatures Purple #FFSS-SO /25
Silver Signatures Blue /20
Silver Signatures Green /15
Silver Signatures Gold /10
Silver Signatures Orange /5
Silver Signatures Red /1
Five Star Signatures #FSS-SO /25
Dual Autographs #FSDA-IO /5 (Ichiro/Ohtani)
Dual Autographs #FSDA-RO /5 (Ryan/Ohtani)
Dual Autographs #FSDA-SO /5 (Trout/Ohtani)
2018 Gallery #116(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Artist Proof (blaster boxes)
Canvas (rack packs)
Private Issue /250
Green /99
Blue /50
Orange /25
Red /1
Autograph #116
Autograph Green /99
Autograph Blue /50
Autograph Orange /25
Autograph Red /1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Oversized Box Topper #OBT-SO
Impressionists #I-10
Impressionists Green /250
Impressionists Blue /99
Impressionists Orange /25
Impressionists Red /1
Impressionists Autograph #IA-SO /5
Masterpiece #M-30
Masterpiece Green /250
Masterpiece Blue /99
Masterpiece Orange /25
Masterpiece Red /1
Heritage #H-26
Heritage Green /250
Heritage Blue /99
Heritage Orange /25
Heritage Red /1
Gold Label, Class 1 #17(RC)
Topps Gold Label also offers Class 2, Class 3 cards. However, they have image variants and pattern variants with different card numbers. Therefore, Class 1 gets the RC designation.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Black Class 1
Black Class 2
Black Class 3
Blue Class 1 /150
Blue Class 2 /99 (image variant-pitching)
Blue Class 3 /50 (image variant-running)
Red Class 1 /75
Red Class 2 /50 (image variant-pitching)
Red Class 3 /25 (image variant-running)
Gold Class 1 /1
Gold Class 2 /1
Gold Class 3 /1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Framed Autographs #FA-SO
Framed Auto. Black /75
Framed Auto. Blue /50
Framed Auto. Red /25
Framed Auto. Gold /1
2018 Gypsy Queen #89(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
GQ Logo Swap
Black /1
Missing Team Nameplate
Bazooka Back
Green (retail rack packs)
Missing Black Plate (retail blaster boxes)
Indigo /250
Black & White /50
Red /10
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Gypsy Queen Autograph #GQA-SO
Gypsy Queen Auto. Indigo /150
Gypsy Queen Auto. GQ Logo Swap /99
Gypsy Queen Auto. Black & White /50 (hobby packs)
Gypsy Queen Auto. Bazooka Back /25
Gypsy Queen Auto. Black /1
2018 Heritage #600(RC)
Heritage is a hobby favorite especially among veteran collectors. It also offers an image variant card. For the purposes of this website and this article image variant cards are considered rookie cards so long as the card back is the same and the card number is the same. This is the case for this card.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
White Letter Team Name
Nicknames
Traded – Uncorrected Error (stamped across bottom)
Red Letter Player Name
Black /50 (hobby)
100th Anniversary /25
Magenta Back /10
Flip Stock /5
Mini
Topps Heritage Chrome
Purple Refractor (hobby hot boxes)
Refractor /569
Black Ref. /69
Gold Ref. /5 (hobby)
Super-Fractor /1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
1969 Bazooka Ad Panel
1969 Collectors Cards #69CC-SO
1969 Topps Decals #69TD-SO
1969 Topps Decal Edge #1
Combo Cards #CC-1
Now and Then #NT-11
Rookie Performers #RP-SO
Real One Autograph #ROA-SO
Real One Auto. Special Edition Red /69
2018 High Tek#HT-SO(RC)
A very challenging set to wrap your head around. I consider all four of these rookie cards. The reason? These are pattern variants. Same image, same card back, and card number. Because of this all four qualify as RC.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Rainbow Foil Diffractor
Rainbow Foil Diffractor Blue /150
Rainbow Foil Diffractor Green /99
Rainbow Foil Diffractor Black /50
Rainbow Foil Diffractor Orange /25
Rainbow Foil Diffractor Red /10
Rainbow Foil Diffractor Gold /1
Magma Diffractor
Magma Diffractor Green /99
Magma Diffractor Black /50
Magma Diffractor Orange /25
Magma Diffractor Red /10
Magma Diffractor Gold /1
Orbit Diffractor
Orbit Diffractor Black /50
Orbit Diffractor Orange /25
Orbit Diffractor Red /10
Orbit Diffractor Gold /1
Galactic Diffractor
Galactic Diffractor Orange /25
Galactic Diffractor Red /10
Galactic Diffractor Gold /1
Black & White /50
Gold SpecTEKular Diffractor /1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Portraitek #PT-SO /50
Portraitek Orange #PT-SO /25
Portraitek Gold SpecTEKular #PT-SO /1
Pyroteknics #PYT-SO /99
Pyroteknics Orange #PYT-SO /25
Pyroteknics Gold SpecTEKular #PYT-SO /1
Rookie Tek #RT-SO /99
Rookie Tek Orange #RT-SO /25
Rookie Tek Gold SpecTEKular #RT-SO /1
Autograph
Autograph Green /99
Autograph Blue /75
Autograph Black Orbit /50
Autograph Orange Orbit /25
AutographGold SpecTEKular /1
Black & White Autograph
Black & White Autograph Gold SpecTEKular /1
Portraitek Autograph /99
Portraitek Black /50
Portraitek Gold SpecTEKular /1
Pyroteknics Autograph /50
Pyroteknics Autograph Gold SpecTEKular /1
Rookie Tek Autograph /50
Rookie Tek Autograph Gold SpecTEKular /1
2018 Holiday Walmart #HMW17(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Metallic Snowflake
Metallic Snowflake Gold /1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Holiday Autograph #A-SO
Holiday Metallic Snowflake Auto. /10
Holiday Metallic Snowflake Gold /1
2018 Museum Collection #100(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Copper
Sapphire /150
Amethyst /99
Ruby /50
Emerald /1
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Canvas Collection Reprints #CC-44
Archival Autographs #AA-SO
Archival Autographs Copper /50
Archival Autographs Gold /25
Archival Autograph Emerald /1
Museum Framed Autograph /15
Museum Framed Autograph Gold /10
Museum Framed Autograph Black /5
Museum Framed Autograph Wood /1
2018 Opening Day #200(RC)
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Purple Foil (Toys-R-Us)
Blue Foil /2018
Black Foil /1
Inserts – None
2018 Stadium Club #138(RC)
You like rookie-year insert cards? Then this is the product for you. Base set also features an image variant. For the purposes of this website and this article image variant cards are considered rookie cards so long as the card back is the same and the card number is the same. This is the case for this card.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Red Foil
Black Foil
Black & White (hobby)
Sepia (retail)
Member’s Only
Rainbow Foil Board /25
First Day Issue /10
Gold Rainbow Foil Board /1
Photographer’s Proof
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
Chrome #SCC-138
Chrome Refractors
Chrome Gold Minted Refractor
Chrome Super-Fractor /1
Never Compromise #NC-SO
Never Compromise Red
Never Compromise Black /99
Never Compromise Orange /50
Never Compromise Gold Rainbow /1
Power Zone #PZ-SO
Power Zone Red
Power Zone Black /99
Power Zone Orange /50
Power Zone Gold Rainbow /1
Special Forces #SO-SO
Special Forces Red
Special Forces Black /99
Special Forces Orange /50
Special Forces Gold Rainbow /1
Beam Team #BT-SO
Beam Team Red
Beam Team Black /99
Beam Team Orange /50
Beam Team Gold Rainbow /1
Instavision #I-SO
Instavision Red /50
Instavision Black /25
Instavision Orange /10
Instavision Gold Rainbow /1
Stadium Club Autograph #SCA-SO
Stadium Club Autograph Red Foil /50
Stadium Club Autograph Black Foil /25
Stadium Club Autograph Rainbow Foil /10 (hobby)
Stadium Club Autograph Orange Foil /5 (retail)
Stadium Club Autograph Gold Rainbow /1 (hobby)
Chrome Autographs #SCCA-SO /10
Chrome Autographs Super-Fractor /1
Power Zone Autograph #PAZ-SO
Power Zone Autograph Orange /5
Power Zone Autograph Gold Rainbow Foil /1
Beam Team Autograph #BTA-SO
Beam Team Autograph Orange /5
Beam Team Autograph Gold Rainbow Foil /1
Co-Signers #CO-TO Ohtani/Trout /10
Co-Signers #CO-TO Gold Rainbow Foil /1
2018 Topps #700(RC)
Topps flagship has lots to offer. Rookie-year insert cards and image variants galore. For the purposes of this website and this article image variant cards are considered rookie cards so long as the card back is the same and the card number is the same. This is the case for this card.
A special gimmick card was produced as well. Also card number 700 is Babe Ruth, this is Topps attempt at making a comparison between Ruth and Ohtani. Although creative nothing about this card qualifies as a Ohtani RC.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Rainbow Foil
Purple (Meijer’s retail store)
Negative Black & White
Gold /2018
Foil Board /190
Vintage Stock /99
Independence Day /76
Black /67
Father’s Day Blue /50
Mother’s Day Pink /50
Memorial Day Camo /25
Platinum /1
Clear /10 (hobby)
Inserts (Rookie-Year Cards)
1983 Rookies #83-1
1983 Rookies Blue
1983 Rookies Black /299
1983 Rookies Gold /50
1983 Rookies Red /10
1983 Rookies Platinum /1
Salute #S-54
Salute Blue
Salute Black /299
Salute Gold /50
Salute Red /10
Salute Platinum /1
Legends in the Making #LITM-2
Legends in the Making Blue
Legends in the Making Black /299
Legends in the Making Gold /50
Legends in the Making Red /10
Legends in the Making Platinum /1
Instant Impact #II-7
Instant Impact Blue
Instant Impact Black /299
Instant Impact Gold /50
Instant Impact Red /10
Instant Impact Platinum /1
Future Stars #FS-5
Future Stars Blue
Future Stars Black /299
Future Stars Gold /50
Future Stars Red /10
Future Stars Platinum /1
1983 Chrome Refractor #51
1983 Chrome Refractor Blue /150
1983 Chrome Refractor Green /99
1983 Chrome Refractor Purple /75
1983 Chrome Refractor Gold /50
1983 Chrome Refractor Orange /25
1983 Chrome Refractor Red /5
1983 Chrome Super-Fractor /1
Factory Set All-Star Bonus #5 (of a 5 card set)
Chrome Rookie Relics #WSE-4 (factory set at Walmart)
Chrome Rookie Relics Gold Refractor /50
Chrome Rookie Relics Orange Ref. /25
Chrome Rookie Relics Red Ref. /5
Chrome Rookie Relics Super-Fractor /1
1983 Topps Autograph #83A-SO
1983 Topps Autograph Black /99
1983 Topps Autograph Gold /50
1983 Topps Autograph Red /25
1983 Topps Autograph Platinum /1
Salute Autograph #SA-SO
Salute Autograph Red /25
Salute Autograph Platinum /1
Legends in the Making Autograph #LITMA-SO (retail)
Yet another image variant rookie card is found in the Complete Factory Set. Same card back and same card number so it qualifies as an RC.
Parallels (Rookie Cards)
Chrome
Chrome Gold Refractor /50
Orange Refractor /25
Red Refractor /5
Super-Fractor /1
Inserts – None
NOTE: In 2018, Topps also produced Topps Update and many collectors view it as its own stand alone product and other collectors do not.
I stand in the camp that it is not. The reason? Because a long time hobby standard and Commandment #8 says, “A player’s “rookie card” that is part of an Update, Traded or similar extended set, must not have any other cards issued within that same product line.”
The reason I don’t count the “rookie cards” of Shohei Ohtani inside Topps Update it’s because this is an extension of the Topps set and he already has four other rookie cards in that set. However, I do acknowledge and identify the the Update cards as “rookie-year” cards.