The 2023 Topps Baseball Cards factory set is one of the most anticipated card releases each year from sports card giant Topps. The factory set provides baseball card collectors an affordable and complete way to acquire all the base cards from the flagship Topps series 1, series 2, and update sets all in one product. With the 2023 season on the horizon, here is an in-depth look at what collectors can expect from the upcoming Topps factory set release.
Topps has been the exclusive producer of Major League Baseball licensed cards since 1956 and each year they release three main sets – Series 1 in spring, Series 2 in summer, and Update in late summer/fall. These three sets make up the core of the baseball card year and capture all the players, rookies, and key moments from that season. In the past, collectors would have to purchase many packs and boxes trying to complete the base card checklist from each set. The factory set solves this issue by containing a pre-assembled complete set of all the base cards.
For the 2023 edition, the factory set checklist will include all the standard size base cards from Series 1 (approximately 600 cards), Series 2 (around 500 cards), and Update (150-200 cards). That adds up to over 1,200 total cards encompassing every MLB player on a 40-man roster at the time of each set’s production. Topps has stated the 2023 factory set will have an expanded checklist from previous years to account for additional players signed as the season progresses.
In terms of design and production, collectors can expect the 2023 Topps cards in the factory set to match the look of the retail releases. The cards will be on the standard Topps card stock at 2.5 x 3.5 inches in size. Serial numbers will be included on the reverse of each card to ensure no duplicates. As with past years, parallels and insert cards from the three series will not be included in the factory set – it is solely for completing the base rosters. The cards will be packaged in a sturdy box with the Topps logo and 2023 branding on the outside for easy storage and organization.
Pricing is always a major factor for collectors, and Topps has worked hard to make the factory set a very affordable option. In recent years, the MSRP has been around $75, which provides an incredible value considering it would cost many times that amount to purchase packs and boxes to complete the three base sets. While MSRP may increase slightly for 2023 due to inflation, Topps has stated their commitment is for the factory set to remain one of the most cost-effective products in the hobby. Availability is also excellent, as factory sets are produced in huge quantities and readily available at major hobby shops and online retailers from release through the end of the calendar year.
For the rookie card collector, the 2023 Topps factory set is an especially intriguing purchase. It guarantees inclusion of the base rookie cards for all the top prospects who made their MLB debuts during the season. This includes any first-year-player cards from Series 1 all the way through call-ups and new rookies featured in Update. Some of the biggest rookie names expected to be showcased include Cardinals super prospect Jordan Walker, Mariners slugger Julio Rodriguez, and Cubs phenomenon Cristian Hernandez. Completing rookie card sets from retail is extremely difficult, so the factory set solves that problem.
In addition to the core baseball card content, Topps packs in valuable bonuses with every factory set. An annual guidebook is included that provides informative stats and bios on every player featured. Serialized sticker inserts are also present that can be collected and traded. Exclusive to the factory set are factory-set-themed parallel cards only available in this product. For 2023, Topps is expected to again include an autograph or memorabilia card of a star player randomly inserted in 1-in-10 factory sets as an extra bonus.
The 2023 Topps Baseball Cards factory set is a true one-stop shop for collectors. It provides an affordable, guaranteed way to finish sets from Series 1, Series 2, and Update all in one fell swoop. Rookie card collectors have everything they need, and additional bonuses make it an even better value. With the inclusion of over 1,200 base cards at a very reasonable price point, the factory set continues to be one of the most popular and important releases on the annual Topps baseball calendar. Its wide availability also ensures that any collector can easily acquire this must-have product.
