Manufacturer: Score
Set: 1988 Score Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Matt Nokes
Position/Team: Catcher for Tigers
Card #: 15
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Value Snapshot: Raw/Ungraded: $1 | Grade 10: $30
⬇️ See More Pricing Data Below
Nokes had one of the most explosive rookie seasons for a catcher in MLB history. Playing for the Detroit Tigers, he was tasked with filling the shoes of local legend Lance Parrish—and he did so with authority.
- Silver Slugger & All-Star: In 1987, he hit 32 home runs (a record for rookie catchers at the time) and batted .289.
- Awards: He won the AL Silver Slugger, was named an All-Star, and finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting (behind Mark McGwire and Kevin Seitzer).
- The “Short Porch” Specialist: His left-handed swing was tailor-made for the cozy right-field stands at Tiger Stadium and, later, Yankee Stadium.
Because of his bat, managers often used him as a Designated Hitter (DH) on days he wasn’t catching to keep his power in the lineup.
- San Francisco Giants: 1985 Brief debut (teammates with Manwaring in the minors)
- Detroit Tigers: 1986–1990 Star Rookie / Power Hitter
- New York Yankees: 1990–1994 Primary Catcher / DH
- Baltimore / Colorado: 1995 Final veteran stops
Interestingly, Nokes has become more famous in recent years as a “hitting scientist.” He developed the “Pyramid of Hitting” and is a sought-after private coach, known for a very technical, mental approach to the swing (often referred to as “Hitting Tai Chi”).
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
Tracking the current market value for the 1988 Score Matt Nokes Card #15. Below, find updated pricing data for ungraded (raw) copies, as well as verified PSA graded sales trends collected from secondary marketplaces.
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Raw/Ungraded: $1
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Grade 8: $13
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Grade 9: -
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Grade 10: $30
Data Updated: June 2026
➡️ See All 1988 Score Rookie Card Prices
Pricing data includes raw card price & some graded card value estimates.
These values are collated from a variety of resources including recently sold listings, sales averages and a variety of other sports card pricing data sources. Please see full disclaimer on “Terms Page” for more information. (Rookiecardprices.com only shows values for regular base set cards. No prices are shown for errors, parallels, subsets, misprints or other cards unless noted.)
DISCLAIMER: This data is not intended as financial advice and should not be used as such. Please do your own research before making any investment or selling/buying decisions.
Did You Know? Following his memorable peak in Detroit, Nokes underwent a major career transition during the 1990 regular season when he was traded to the New York Yankees, instantly providing high-leverage power to a legendary franchise in transition. Stepping into the Bronx, Nokes’ smooth left-handed stroke was perfectly suited for the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium. Over the next few seasons, he became a highly reliable middle-of-the-order anchor, matching his raw bat speed with veteran zone awareness. He put together a magnificent individual showcase in 1991, smashing 24 home runs and driving in 67 runs while sharing catching duties. He followed that up with another steady 22-home run campaign in 1992.
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