The new year means a fresh crop of baseball cards are here with the arrival of Topps’ 2023 Series 1 release. As with every year, there are always a select few prized rookie cards and veterans that collectors scramble to track down. With so many inserts, parallels and autographs to sift through, here are some of the most coveted cards to keep an eye out for as you rip packs of the new Series 1:
Bobby Witt Jr. Rookie Card (Base / Parallel Variations)
Leading the charge of the exciting rookie class is Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. After a phenomenal debut season that saw him finish second in AL Rookie of the Year voting, Witt Jr.’s rookie cards from 2022 Topps are some of the hottest on the market. Naturally, collectors will be clamoring for his base rookie card and all of its parallel variations from Series 1. The rainbow foil and paper parallels will be hotly pursued, as will any 1/1 parallels that are pulled. Witt Jr. has superstar potential and his rookie cards could end up being worth a fortune long term.
Julio Rodriguez Rookie Card (Base / Parallel Variations)
Another rookie who had a monster debut season was Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez. The AL Rookie of the Year winner had one of the best first years in recent memory and immediately established himself as a cornerstone player for Seattle moving forward. Like Witt Jr., collectors will be targeting Julio’s base rookie card and its many parallel variations. The flagship Topps rookie of a player of Rodriguez’s caliber is sure to retain value exceptionally well for years to come. Any rare parallels could set collectors back quite a bit if they want to add them to their PC.
Oneil Cruz Rookie Card (Base / Parallel Variations)
While he didn’t make as big of an immediate splash statistically as Witt Jr. or Rodriguez, Pirates super-prospect Oneil Cruz possesses freakish tools that have scouts drooling. Standing an incredible 6-foot-7, Cruz is a true five-tool talent who made his MLB debut in 2022. His rookie cards exploded in price after a strong September call-up. The Series 1 base rookie and its parallels will be hot ticket items for collectors chasing one of the game’s most exciting young prospects. Cruz could develop into a perennial All-Star, making his rookie cards a wise long term investment.
Adley Rutschman Rookie Card (Base / Parallel Variations)
After a few years of waiting, Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman finally made his MLB debut in 2022 and showed why he’s considered one of the top prospects of the last decade. While injuries slowed his progress initially, Rutschman flashed all of his talents in his first full season and looks primed to be an anchor for Baltimore for years to come. His flagship Topps rookie cards from last year remain some of the most coveted on the modern rookie scene. The Series 1 base card and color parallels will be must-haves for collectors pursuing one of the premier young catchers in baseball.
Spencer Strider Rookie Card (Base / Parallel Variations)
While he made his MLB debut in 2021, Spencer Strider truly broke out as a star in 2022 for the World Series champion Atlanta Braves. The flamethrowing righty cemented his role at the back of their vaunted rotation and looks like a future ace. Strider’s rookie cards skyrocketed in value after his dominant season and collectors will be hot on the trail of any unowned copies from Series 1. The base rookie and its parallel variations are sure to retain value extremely well long term as Strider continues establishing himself as one of baseball’s best young arms.
Rookie Autograph Cards
In addition to the base rookies, collectors will no doubt be hunting rookie autograph cards of the games’ top prospects. Pulling a Witt Jr., Rodriguez, Cruz, Rutschman or Strider autograph would be the holy grail for any pack opener. But the rookie class runs much deeper, with players like Gunnar Henderson, Drew Waters, Emerson Hancock and others all possessing rookie autos that could gain value quickly with a breakout season. The hunt will be on for these coveted signed rookie cards across Series 1.
National League MVP Cards – Paul Goldschmidt
After winning the NL batting title and leading the Cardinals to the playoffs, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt took home his first MVP award at age 35. His MVP season was one for the ages and cemented his Hall of Fame resume. The 2023 Topps Series 1 base card and parallels of Goldschmidt sporting his new MVP hardware will be highly sought after. For Cardinals fans and collectors pursuing the cards of award winners, these Goldschmidt MVP cards will be at the top of the wish list.
American League MVP Cards – Aaron Judge
In one of the most dominant individual seasons in baseball history, Yankees slugger Aaron Judge smashed an AL record 62 home runs en route to a Triple Crown campaign and his first AL MVP award. The sports memorabilia world was set ablaze by Judge’s historic season. His Topps Series 1 base card and parallels highlighting his MVP achievement will be among the most in-demand modern cards on the market. For Yankees collectors and those wanting cards of baseball’s biggest star, adding a Judge 2023 MVP card to their collection has to be a top priority.
Cy Young Winner Cards
In addition to MVPs, the Cy Young winning pitchers from each league will also have highly sought after base cards in Series 1. For the NL, it’s Miami’s Sandy Alcantara, who had a career year and dominated the league. In the AL, it’s Justin Verlander, who at 39 returned from injury to lead the league in wins and strikeouts for Houston. Both hurlers’ flagship cards showing off their Cy Young hardware are sure to be collector favorites.
Rookie Pitchers
While the position player rookies get most of the hype, don’t sleep on the promising rookie hurlers who could be the next Verlander or deGrom. Cardinals flamethrower Andre Pallante broke out in 2022 and his rookie card autographs could explode in value. Other hurlers to watch include Braves flamethrower Spencer Strider, Mariners strikeout artist George Kirby, and Dodgers fireballer Ryan Pepiot. Their Series 1 rookie cards could pay dividends long term.
Veteran Stars and Franchise Favorites
While rookies and award winners get top billing, collectors also love chasing cards of the game’s biggest veteran stars like Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto. Their base Topps cards remain fan favorites. Collectors seek out cards paying tribute to franchise legends and Hall of Famers like Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Chipper Jones, and more. These veteran star cards hold nostalgic appeal and retain value exceptionally well over the long haul.
Parallels and Insert Sets
No Topps release would be complete without an assortment of shiny parallels and hit-or-miss insert sets to entice collectors. Rainbow foil, gold foil, paper, negative and 1/1 parallels of the top rookies and stars will be in high demand. Meanwhile, insert sets like Topps Chrome, Gallery, Archives, Photo Hits and more provide fun photo or retro-styled card designs alongside chances at short printed hits. Collectors will be on the hunt for complete rainbow foil parallel sets of their PC players as well as chase cards from these inserts.
Autographs and Memorabilia Cards
When it comes to the high-end relics and autographs scattered throughout Series 1 hobby boxes, the sky is the limit on what collectors will pay to land a big hit. Gold label 1/1 autographs of superstars like Judge, Ohtani or Acuña could fetch thousands. Meanwhile, rare patch cards or autographed memorabilia of franchise legends are prized possessions. The hunt is always on for these ultra-rare autograph and memorabilia cards tucked inside Series 1 packs.
The 2023 Topps Series 1 release offers something for every type of collector. From affordable base cards to chase parallels and inserts, to high-end autographs and memorabilia, there is a treasure to be found. For investors, cards of rookie phenoms, MVPs and Cy Young winners hold the most long term potential. But at its heart, Series 1 is about capturing a new year of baseball history on cardboard and enjoying the thrill of the chase alongside millions of other fans. With so much to discover across the release, the hunt is half the fun each January.
