The 2023 MLB draft is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. With a loaded class of prospects headlined by potential No. 1 overall pick Druw Jones, baseball card collectors and investors are already looking ahead to the rookie cards of next year’s draft class.

While it’s still early, the 2023 draft class has been widely praised for its depth of elite talent at the top. In addition to Jones, high school shortstop Jackson Holliday and college pitchers Dylan Lesko and Brock Porter are all considered potential top-5 picks. With so many blue chip prospects likely to go very early, the rookie cards of the top drafted players in 2023 have strong potential to become highly sought after cards in the years to come.

Topps and Bowman are the two main manufacturers that release baseball cards centered around the MLB draft and rookie seasons of newly drafted players. In recent years, Topps has released draft picks parallels and Bowman has issued prospect cards of the early rounds within their flagship baseball sets released shortly after the draft in June. Both companies also produce larger sets later in the year focused entirely on the drafted rookies and top prospects.

For the class of 2023, collectors can expect Topps and Bowman to again feature the early draft picks within their regular baseball card releases in late summer 2023. Topps Update Series and Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects are two sets almost certain to highlight Jones, Holliday and others selected high in the first round. Parallel and autograph versions of their rookie cards in these initial releases will be hot commodities.

The bigger releases solely dedicated to the 2023 draft class and rookie prospects won’t arrive until fall 2023 at the earliest. Topps Draft, Bowman Draft, and Bowman Chrome Draft are the go-to sets for following the careers of the new draftees. These larger sets with increased print runs are where collectors can find all the drafted players and have the best odds at pulling serially numbered parallels and autographs of the top names.

While it’s still very early, here’s a quick look at some of the top prospects from the high school and college classes that could be big names in the 2023 MLB draft class:

Druw Jones, OF, Wesleyan High School (GA): Considered the likely No. 1 pick, the son of former MLB star Andruw Jones has five-tool talent and elite bloodlines that will make his rookie cards highly sought after.

Jackson Holliday, SS, Stillwater High School (OK): A switch-hitting shortstop with power and speed, Holliday could push Jones for the top spot and will be one of the top prospects regardless of where he’s drafted.

Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford High School (GA): The highest profile prep arm in the class, Lesko sits mid-90s with his fastball and a plus curveball that could make him a top-5 selection.

Brock Porter, RHP, St. Mary’s Prep (MI): Another elite high school arm, Porter sits in the mid-90s and mixes in a power slider that could push him into the top half of the first round.

Daniel Susac, C, Arizona: A polished catcher with power and defensive skills, Susac could be the first college position player off the board after starring as a freshman for a top college program.

Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny High School (PA): Young has all the tools to stick at shortstop with above-average speed and power that should make him a top-10 pick.

Walker Jenkins, RHP, Jacksonville: The top college pitcher in the class, Jenkins sits mid-90s and mixes in a plus changeup that could push him into the top half of the first round.

While it’s still very early, these seven prospects in particular seem poised to be among the biggest names from the 2023 MLB draft class. Their rookie cards released by Topps and Bowman in sets focused on the draft in late 2023 and 2024 will be some of the most sought after new cards on the market in coming years. For collectors and investors, keeping an eye on this exciting draft class over the next year will be important as the careers and card values of the top selections take shape. The 2023 draft is shaping up to be a star-studded one, and the rookie cards of Druw Jones, Jackson Holliday, and others could end up being some of the most valuable modern baseball cards in the years to come.