The 2023 Panini Donruss baseball set is one of the most anticipated releases each year. While it may not have the flashy parallels and memorabilia cards of some other brands, Donruss is beloved by collectors for its classic design and focus on the game. This year’s set looks to continue that tradition while also honoring some of the game’s biggest stars.
For collectors looking to find cards that can gain value over time, there are several rookies and young stars to target. One of the top rookie cards in the set is likely to be Tampa Bay Rays shortstop and top prospect Xavier Edwards. Still just 21 years old, Edwards had a breakout season in 2022 by hitting .299 with 24 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s considered one of the top middle infield prospects in baseball and is expected to debut in the majors in 2023. His rookie cards from past Donruss sets have done quite well and his 2023 cards could be a bargain at retail prices.
Another rookie to watch is Detroit Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe. The Tigers drafted Jobe third overall in 2021 out of high school and he had a very promising pro debut in 2022 by posting a 3.59 ERA over 17 starts in Low-A. At just 19 years old, Jobe has the potential to rise through the Tigers system quickly. His prospect pedigree and affiliation with a rebuilding Detroit franchise could make his rookie cards a smart long-term investment, especially for those willing to buy now before a potential big league call-up boosts his profile.
On the veteran side of things, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner will likely have some of the most desirable base rookie cards in the set as he enters his first season with the Dodgers after being acquired from Washington last year. Turner has established himself as one of the top leadoff hitters and baserunners in baseball and playing for the Dodgers should only help raise his already high national profile. His 2023 Donruss cards could be a hot seller.
Another young star to watch is Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. After a breakout rookie campaign that saw him hit .284 with 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases, Rodriguez looks primed for a true superstar campaign in 2023. He’s already one of the most exciting players in baseball and with the Mariners poised for postseason contention, his cards figure to be in high demand. Rodriguez rookies from 2022 Donruss sold for big money and his sophomore cards could follow suit if he takes another step forward.
For collectors looking for star power mixed with history, Hall of Famer Chipper Jones rejoins the Donruss set in 2023 after a decade away. Jones spent his entire 19-year career with the Atlanta Braves and was one of the best hitting shortstops in baseball history. His rookie cards from the early 1990s Donruss sets are considered classics. While Jones last appeared in Donruss in 2012 after his retirement, his return could spark collector interest in chasing parallel and autograph versions of his 2023 cards. For Atlanta fans and collectors prioritizing star power over prospects, Jones may be one of the premier chase cards.
Another living legend making his return to Donruss is New York Yankees shortstop and captain Derek Jeter. One of the most decorated and respected players of his generation, Jeter spent his entire 20-year career with the Yankees and was a key part of their late 90s dynasty teams. His rookie cards from the early 90s are iconic in the hobby. For the first time since 2014, collectors will have the chance to add a modern Jeter card to their collections in 2023. Numbered parallels and autographs of Jeter’s 2023 Donruss issue figure to be hot commodities.
Two other veteran superstars that could produce some of the set’s most coveted cards are Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani and New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer. Ohtani is arguably the most unique and exciting player in baseball as a top hitter and pitcher. His cards regularly set records and any rare parallels or autographs from 2023 could gain value quickly. Meanwhile, Scherzer has cemented himself as a first-ballot Hall of Famer and his status as the new ace of the Mets should only increase demand for his 2023 cards in the hobby hotbed of New York.
Of course, no discussion of top 2023 Donruss cards would be complete without mentioning rookie phenom Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays. After a breakout 2021 season that saw him hit .311 with 48 home runs, Guerrero took an even bigger step in 2022 by slashing .274/.339/.481 with 26 homers. He’s already established as a true superstar at just 23 years old and will likely be one of the faces of baseball for years to come. His rookie cards from 2018 and 2019 Donruss sets have exploded in value and his third year cards could follow suit if he continues progressing.
While rookies and stars tend to command the most attention, savvy collectors may also want to keep an eye out for key veterans who could retire after 2023. Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is on a one-year deal with the Dodgers and has hinted this could be his final season. San Francisco Giants pitcher Carlos Rodon is a free agent and his future is uncertain. Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez has an opt-out after the year. Their 2023 Donruss cards could take on added significance if they end up being “last cards.”
Of course, there are always breakout candidates that emerge no one sees coming. Keeping a wider view of the set and following the season could reveal new stars in the making. But for collectors prioritizing the cards with the best chances to hold long-term value based on past performance and future potential, the rookies, young stars and legends highlighted here look primed to be the most sought-after 2023 Donruss baseball cards on the hobby market. With its classic design and focus on the players, Panini Donruss continues to produce a set that connects collectors to the game.
