The 2023 Topps baseball card release is one of the most anticipated issues of the year. As collectors eagerly await the arrival of Series 1 in retail stores and hobby shops in late February/early March 2023, they are also studying price guides to get an idea of what certain rookie cards, star players, and parallels may be worth. Let’s take an in-depth look at what collectors can expect from the 2023 Topps baseball cards price guide.
One of the top rookies to watch for in Series 1 will undoubtedly be Cardinals catcher/outfielder Dylan Carlson. After establishing himself as a regular starter in 2022 with a .247 average, 20 home runs, and 65 RBI, Carlson looks primed for stardom. His base rookie card can be expected to settle in the $10-15 range, with parallels and autographs carrying premiums from there. Another exciting rookie to follow is Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. While he only received a cup of coffee in the majors in 2022, Rodriguez’s five-tool talent and electric play in Seattle’s playoff run have made him one of the game’s top prospects. His base rookie is likely to fetch $15-20 initially, with higher prices for short printed parallels.
For star veterans, Mike Trout remains the gold standard. Barring injury, Trout will continue producing at an MVP level for the Angels in 2023. His base card can be found in Series 1 packs but will carry a steep $30-40 price tag due to his perennial status as one of baseball’s best. Fellow outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. also commands a high valuation as one of the game’s most exciting young stars when healthy. After missing much of 2022 due to injury, Acuna will look to regain superstar form next season. His 2023 Topps base can be had for $20-25. Short prints and parallels of Trout and Acuna will command multiples of their base values. Rookies Oneil Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr., and Adley Rutschman from the 2022 rookie class will also see rising values.
When it comes to parallels and inserts, collectors will pay close attention to popular serial-numbered parallel sets like Topps Chrome, Stadium Club, and Allen & Ginter. Base Chrome and Stadium Club cards tend to fetch a 20-30% premium over their standard Topps paper counterparts. Popular parallels like Chrome Gold (/50), Stadium Club Chrome (/25), and A&G Mini (/25) can easily reach the $50-100 range for star players. Autograph and memorabilia cards will carry the highest prices. Top rookies Julio Rodriguez and Druw Jones can be expected to fetch $200-400 for basic on-card autos. High-end 1/1 parallels could sell for thousands. Top veterans like Trout and Acuna routinely see their low-numbered autos sell for $500-1000+.
When it comes to grading, a PSA/BGS 10 version of any star player’s base rookie card will hold exponentially more value. A PSA 10 Dylan Carlson or Julio Rodriguez rookie could sell for $300-500 out of the gate based on recent rookie classes. Meanwhile, a Trout or Acuna PSA 10 base from their rookie years would command $1000+ each. Slabbed vintage stars like Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams also remain hugely desirable, with their best cards reaching five-figure or greater prices.
Condition is also critical, as even a slight flaw can significantly reduce a card’s value. Near-mint to mint (NM-MT 8 or higher) will retain the most value, while anything below a 7 is considered damaged goods. Centering, edges and corners are the aspects graders scrutinize most closely. Proper storage in sleeves, toploaders and binders is essential to preserve condition over the long haul.
The 2023 Topps baseball release is shaping up to be another banner year. With a strong rookie class and perennial stars, the base set and inserts should hold strong collector demand. While prices may fluctuate based on the market, using recent sales data and guides like PSA’s Population Report can give collectors a starting point as they look to build their collections. Condition, serial numbers and star power will continue to drive premium card values as the 2023 season approaches.
