The 2023 Panini Prizm baseball set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year for baseball card collectors and investors. Panini Prizm has become the premiere modern baseball card product known for its flashy designs and allure of hitting big rookie cards that can gain immense value. With the 2023 season on the horizon, collectors are already plotting their strategies for chasing the top rookie cards and parallels that could make them a fortune down the road.
Some of the biggest names likely to debut in this year’s Prizm set include Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson, Elijah Green, and Jackson Holliday. Each of these players was a top-5 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and are expected to rise up minor league ranks quickly in their debut professional seasons. Landing any of their prizm rookies, especially in short printed parallels, could set a collector up for huge returns if they develop into stars at the MLB level.
Aside from rookies, collectors will be on the hunt for prized veteran cards in parallels and serial numbered formats. Some of the top veteran cards to target in 2023 Prizm include Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Mike Trout. Prizm is known for its “Hits” parallels that are serial numbered to varying quantities like Silver Prizm (/99), Gold Prizm (/10), Black Prizm (/5), and 1/1 White Prizm. Landing any of the biggest stars in these ultra-rare parallel forms could net six figures down the road.
Another way 2023 Prizm baseball stands to create value is through its new rookie autograph and memorabilia cards. Panini has expanded the use of these types of premium “patch” and autograph cards featuring top prospects in recent years. Expect Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson, and Elijah Green to be some of the featured names in these types of chase cards that are always in high demand. Numbered to low quantities, cards like on-card autographs and jersey swatches of top prospects can gain value exponentially as their careers progress.
Beyond rookies, veteran autograph and memorabilia cards will also be a major focus. Trout, Acuña, Guerrero Jr., and Ohtani autographs are always in high demand. Panini has also begun including more game-used memorabilia cards of stars in recent years. Things like bat knob or splinter swatches featuring the biggest names could gain immense value as collectibles. With the increased use of serial numbering down to /10, /5 or lower, these types of unique memorabilia cards have become major prizes.
When it comes to parallels and serial numbered cards, the 1/1 variations are always the biggest chase. Landing the sole copy of any star player’s card in an ultra-rare parallel or memorabilia format is the holy grail. While odds of actually pulling a 1/1 are infinitesimal, it’s the dream that fuels collectors to rip countless boxes and cases in hopes of striking gold. Even base rookie 1/1s of future stars could gain six-figure valuations with a breakout career.
For collectors looking to supercharge their value long-term, focusing on top prospects with the highest upside makes sense. While Jones, Johnson, Green and Holliday will garner immense attention and have already seen early hype, keep an eye on other emerging talents who could become future stars too. Names like Brock Porter, Daniel Susac, and Dillon Dingler all have potential and their prizm rookies could pay off in a big way down the line.
When it comes to parallels and memorabilia cards, condition will be another major factor in long-term value. While the thrill of the hunt is pulling exciting hits, properly storing, grading and preserving cards will be key to maximizing returns. Top grades of rare serial numbered parallels or 1/1 memorabilia cards could gain exponentially more than raw non-graded versions down the road. Taking care of cards post-rip will be as important as the rip itself for patient investors.
With baseball’s rising new crop of talent and Panini continuing to deliver innovative card designs in 2023 Prizm, the excitement is sure to be at an all-time high. The combination of star rookies, flashy parallels, and coveted memorabilia cards makes it one of the year’s most anticipated releases. With cards that could gain six or even seven figures in value, the potential rewards will have collectors and investors alike chasing big hits with vigor come release date.
