The 2023 Donruss baseball set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year from Panini America. While the base cards can be collected for relatively low prices, several rookie cards and parallels have already shown promise to become extremely valuable in the near future. With another exciting rookie class headlined by shortstop Jackson Holliday and outfielder Druw Jones, 2023 Donruss is primed to produce numerous valuable gems.
Leading the way is expected to be the prized autograph and memorabilia rookie cards of Jackson Holliday and Druw Jones. Holliday was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and is considered a true five-tool prospect. His autograph rookie cards in Donruss are already commanding prices well over $100 in pre-sale listings. Druw Jones, who the Arizona Diamondbacks selected second, is the son of five-time Gold Glove winner Andruw Jones and has incredible athleticism and potential. Low-numbered parallels and memorabilia cards of Holliday and Jones are likely to sell for thousands in the coming years if they develop as expected.
Another rookie generating huge buzz is shortstop Termarr Johnson of the Atlanta Braves. While not a first round pick like Holliday and Jones, Johnson showcased impressive power and athleticism in his pro debut season. His autographed and memorabilia rookie cards are highly sought after by Braves fans and speculators. Refractors, negative refractors, and especially 1/1 parallel versions of Johnson could appreciate into the four-figure range or higher long term.
Veteran superstars still hold value in Donruss as well. Shohei Ohtani remains one of the biggest draws in baseball as a two-way phenom. Low-numbered parallels and memorabilia cards featuring the reigning AL MVP are must-owns for serious Ohtani collectors. Numbered to 10 copies or less, these Ohtani short prints could demand prices north of $1,000 per card down the road. Similarly, rookie year cards of current stars like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remain in high demand. Their most scarce parallels from 2013, 2015, and 2018 Donruss sets command big money on the secondary market.
Pitchers can also develop into valuable prospects. Shortstop Brady House was one of the biggest risers in the 2022 draft class after showcasing a triple-digit fastball in his debut. As a first rounder to the Los Angeles Dodgers, House’s autographed rookie cards are already selling briskly. Memorabilia cards that feature swatches of his jersey could gain serious value if he develops his arsenal as hoped. Likewise, two-way player Dylan Lesko was a top-10 pick by the Minnesota Twins and possesses elite stuff on the mound. Low-numbered refractors and autographs of Lesko could pay off massively for patient collectors.
When evaluating long-term value, parallel rarity is extremely important to consider with Donruss. Refractors, negative refractors, and especially 1/1 serial-numbered parallel cards hold the most potential. But lower print runs like gold parallels (#/25), silver (#/50), and even some numbered to #/99 also tend to appreciate at a higher rate than base cards over time. The scarcer the parallel, the more sharply demand and prices can rise as years pass – especially for the top rookie talents.
Condition is also a major factor, as even the most coveted cards can lose significant value with creases, corners/edges worn, or other flaws. It’s wise for collectors to carefully grade and slab valuable parallels through a reputable third party like PSA or SGC. This helps preserve condition over decades while also providing a trusted, liquid marketplace through auction sites like eBay upon resale. Top rookies that return grades of PSA/BGS 10 are almost always guaranteed to increase in value as that player’s career progresses.
While it remains unseen how the careers of young stars like Holliday, Jones, and others may unfold, 2023 Donruss is poised to produce numerous valuable rookie cards and short prints. For those willing to hold long-term, taking a chance on low-numbered parallels of top prospects through breaks, boxes, and individual card purchases could yield high returns with patience. The vintage appeal of the brand also bodes well for future collecting interest decades from now. By selectively adding the most coveted 2023 rookies now, savvy collectors are laying the foundation for potentially valuable collections in the years ahead.
