The 2023 Topps Baseball Card Series 1 release is one of the most anticipated issues of the new year. As the flagship set that kicks off Topps’ annual baseball card release schedule, Series 1 provides fans their first look at new photos and designs for the upcoming season. Some of the notable inclusions and features of the 2023 Topps Baseball Series 1 include:
Rookie Class – One of the biggest draws each year is seeing the new crop of rookie cards. The 2023 Series 1 set features some highly touted prospects making their Topps debut, such as Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Xavier Edwards, Detroit Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe, and Kansas City Royals catcher MJ Melendez. These rookie cards are some of the most sought after by collectors looking to get in early on potential future stars.
Veteran Stars – In addition to rookies, Topps also highlights many of the game’s established superstars with new cards each Series 1. Some of this year’s top veteran inclusions are Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, and Mookie Betts. Collectors love finding these star cards to anchor their team collections.
Design Updates – For 2023, Topps has introduced some tweaks and improvements to the traditional Series 1 design template. The borders are thinner this year for a cleaner look. The team logo patch on the uniform has been enlarged slightly for better visibility. Subtle changes like this help make each year’s set feel fresh.
Parallels and Inserts – No Topps release would be complete without various parallel and insert card variations to chase. Series 1 includes several such cards like Gold Foil parallels (1/100), Rainbow Foil parallels (1/750), and Black Foil parallels (1/2022). Popular inserts like Topps Now Moments also debut new subjects from the previous season.
Short Prints – Hidden throughout Series 1 are several short printed cards that are exponentially harder to find. Topps produces fewer of these SP versions of stars, rookies, and key moments. Discovering a short print is always an exciting hit for collectors.
Base Set Size – The 2023 Topps Series 1 release consists of 324 total base cards spanning all 30 MLB teams. This includes player photos, manager/coaches, and team checklist cards to complete a full team set. Collectors can expect several chase variations beyond the base set as well.
Pack Distribution – Hobby boxes of Series 1 contain 18 packs with 11 cards per pack. This includes a mix of base cards, parallels, inserts, and the occasional hit. Retail blaster and hanger packs contain fewer cards but provide a more affordable entry point for casual collectors.
Release Date – The official release date for 2023 Topps Series 1 is January 11, 2023. Hobby boxes and special edition cases will begin pre-selling in late December through major card distributors and online retailers. Retail packs should begin hitting shelves at major retailers in early to mid-January.
Pricing – Hobby boxes for the 2023 Topps Series 1 release are expected to carry an MSRP of around $90-100 per box. Individual packs from blasters and hangers will run $4.99-$5.99 each at most stores. Single cards can be found on the secondary market through auction sites and card shops at varying prices depending on player, parallel, and condition.
The 2023 Topps Baseball Series 1 release is shaping up to be another exciting flagship set that will launch the new year of collecting. With its strong rookie class, veteran star power, and fun parallels and inserts to chase, the set provides something for all types of baseball card collectors and fans. Whether seeking to complete team sets, land big rookie hits, or simply enjoy the thrill of the hunt, Series 1 is sure to satisfy when it arrives in stores this January. The release officially kicks off another year of collecting America’s pastime on cardboard.
