The 2023 Topps Baseball card set is one of the most anticipated releases each year. As the longest running and most iconic brand in the hobby, collectors and investors alike eagerly await what Topps has in store. While full details and checklists are usually not revealed until closer to the product’s release date, here is an in-depth look at what collectors can expect to find in the upcoming 2023 Topps Baseball card set based on past trends and rumors.
As with previous years, the 2023 Topps Baseball base set will feature cards of every player on a Major League roster as of Opening Day. This means rookies and prospects who make their MLB debut after the checklist is finalized will not be included in the base set but may appear in special insert sets or parallels. The base set size usually falls between 600-650 cards total when accounting for variations, parallels, and short prints.
Some key rookies expected to be featured prominently in the 2023 Topps set include Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners, Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals, and Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves based on their performances in 2022. Top international prospects like Domingo Acevedo, Roderick Arias and Lazaro Montes could also receive base cards or special rookie cards after strong showings in the minors last season.
In addition to the standard base cards, Topps packs and boxes will contain several insert sets highlighting different aspects of the game. Perennial favorites like Topps Now, Photo Variations, and Gallery of Stars are sure to return. Newer insert sets like Topps Fire, Topps Holiday, and Topps Golden Moments have also become staple subsets in recent years. Specialty parallels remain a big draw as well, with popular parallels including Rainbow Foil, Negative, and Refractor expected to make appearances once again.
Autograph and memorabilia cards are where collectors can find the biggest hits. Topps Autographs and Topps Relics insert sets will feature on-card and patch signatures of today’s biggest stars. RCs (rookie cards) of emerging talents like Witt Jr. and Rodriguez carrying premiums of $100+ raw are likely. Serialized parallels like 1/1 Autographs and Patch cards of franchise icons like Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Shohei Ohtani can fetch thousands of dollars or more.
Sought-after short prints remain an integral part of the chase in each Topps Baseball release as well. Cards numbered to less than the standard base set size attract avid collectors looking to complete rainbows. Past short prints have included the likes of Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. early in their careers. Completing the entire short print subset is a badge of honor for dedicated collectors.
While the standard release will hit stores in late March/early April as usual, Topps has expanded their baseball offerings in recent years. High-end products like Topps Chrome, Finest, Bowman, and Topps Tribute provide extra autograph and memorabilia cards for collectors willing to pay a premium. Exclusive retail releases through Target, Walmart, and Meijer also give various exclusive parallels and inserts. And limited edition high-number parallels through the Topps website inject extra scarcity into the mix.
As the official MLB license holder, Topps baseball cards remain a vital part of the industry. With a 65+ year legacy, the 2023 Topps Baseball release is sure to excite collectors with a mix of time-tested staples and new exciting additions. Rookies, stars, and short prints will drive collector demand as always. And with the regular season fast approaching, the release can’t come soon enough for eager baseball card fans everywhere. Whether completing a base set or chasing big hits, the 2023 Topps Baseball checklist has something for every type of collector.
