The 2023 Topps Chrome Baseball set is one of the most anticipated releases each year for baseball card collectors and investors. As a premium refractor parallel of the base Topps set, Chrome features sharp photography and flashy refractors that make for some of the most visually appealing cards in the hobby. With the release of Series 1 in late 2022, here’s a look at some of the best rookie and star player cards to chase from the 2023 Topps Chrome set.
One of the biggest rookie chase cards in the set is Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners. Rodriguez burst onto the scene in 2022 by winning the AL Rookie of the Year award after slashing .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases. His accolades and five-tool skillset have collectors excited about his long-term potential. The Rodriguez Chrome rookie card is sure to be one of the set’s most valuable long-term holdings. Another hyped rookie is Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals. Like Rodriguez, Witt showed five-tool promise by hitting 20 home runs in his rookie campaign while playing stellar defense at third base. His Chrome rookie will be a hot commodity.
For pitchers, Houston Astros righty Hunter Brown has one of the best rookie Chrome cards to target. Brown made his MLB debut in 2022 and flashed dominant stuff with a mid-90s fastball and hard slider. As a power arm in the Astros’ system, his stock is rising. Likewise, Miami Marlins righty Max Meyer had a cup of coffee in the bigs in 2022 and could break out in 2023 with his plus fastball and curveball combo. His Chrome rookie is an intriguing long-shot. Another under-the-radar pitching prospect to watch is Milwaukee Brewers lefty Ethan Small. He missed 2022 due to injury but was lighting up the minors prior. If he can stay healthy, his Chrome rookie could pay off.
For established stars, any Chrome parallel of superstar Aaron Judge is a no-brainer collect. After smashing an AL-record 62 home runs in 2022, Judge is the biggest name in baseball and any of his Chrome refractors will hold value. Speaking of home run records, the Chrome card of Angels star Mike Trout always demands top dollar as one of the faces of the league. Trout is still in his prime at 30 years old and remains one of the safest long-term investments in the hobby. Similarly, cards of two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani are always in high demand given his unique talents and status as the best player in the AL. His Chrome parallels are sure to be some of the set’s most expensive cards.
Rookies aside, the 2023 Topps Chrome cards of superstar shortstops Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts could see a boost in value with their new teams. Both signed massive free agent deals in the offseason, with Turner joining the Phillies and Bogaerts signing with the Padres. Their Chrome refractors in their new uniforms may become more coveted by collectors. Likewise, star third baseman Manny Machado will have new Chrome cards in a Padres uniform after re-signing a massive extension to stay in San Diego long-term. His refractors could jump in demand given his All-Star caliber play and contract status.
Some other notable star Chrome cards to target include reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt, two-way force Francisco Lindor, slugging third baseman Rafael Devers, ace pitcher Gerrit Cole, and young stars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Juan Soto. For lower-risk prospects, high-ceiling talents like Druw Jones, Jackson Holliday, and Termarr Johnson have Chrome rookies that could pay off long-term. And for value plays, keep an eye out for Chrome parallels of breakout stars like Jose Abreu, Gleyber Torres, and Luis Arraez who could continue excelling in 2023.
The 2023 Topps Chrome Baseball set offers a loaded rookie class along with flashy refractors of the game’s biggest stars. Keys cards like the rookies of Rodriguez, Witt Jr. and Meyer as well as stars like Judge, Trout and Ohtani are sure to be hot commodities. With its sharp photography and premium parallels, Topps Chrome remains a flagship release that any serious collector or investor would be wise to at least partially complete each year. The 2023 edition has all the makings of another highly coveted and valuable set in the never-ending world of baseball cards.
