2018 Topps - Late Rookie Variation Ronald Acuña Jr. #698 Bat Down (RC) PSA 9

Ronald Acuña Jr. — 2018 Topps Series 2 Late Rookie Variation #698 "Bat Down" SP (RC) — PSA 9 Mint

This is the card the hobby was hunting the moment Acuña debuted. On June 6, 2018 — one week before Series 2 hit shelves — Topps announced they had added Acuña as a last-minute short-printed variation of card #698, replacing the base checklist spot held by Ryan Sherriff. The result is one of the most celebrated late-addition rookies of the modern era: the "Bat Down" SP, featuring a photo snapped during Acuña's very first major-league plate appearance on April 25, 2018. Both the "Bat Down" and "Bat Up" images trace back to that same historic first at-bat, with this version capturing the frame where the bat is finishing its swing — the defining image collectors locked onto from day one.

• Short print scarcity: Collectors opening hobby cases reported the Acuña Bat Down variation appearing roughly once per 12-box hobby case — making it a genuine pull, not a filler.
• The photo: Taken from Acuña's first career plate appearance, a moment MLB.com called one of the most anticipated debuts the league had seen in a decade.
• PSA 9 Mint: Slabbed and authenticated — condition confirmed, no guesswork, ready for a registry or a showcase collection.
• Market: The PSA 10 of this Bat Down SP recently sold for $689.95, up 13% in 30 days. The PSA 9 sits in the sweet spot — verified grade, meaningful discount to the 10 population, strong liquidity.

The 2018 Topps Bat Down variation is the flagship Acuña rookie image that defines his entry into the hobby. A PSA 9 is the right grade for the collector who wants a hard-slabbed copy of the most storied Series 2 short print of its generation — without paying gem-mint premiums.

Available at Collector Station, Easley, SC. Local pickup available. All sales final. Shipping damage must be reported within 48 hours of delivery with photos.