2023 Topps Chrome Baseball – Top Cards to Watch For
The 2023 Topps Chrome Baseball set is set to release on December 14th, 2022 and hype is already building around some of the top rookie and star player refractors collectors will be hunting. As one of the premier insert sets in the hobby each year, Topps Chrome offers fans the opportunity to add shiny parallels and short prints of the game’s biggest names to their collections. With another exciting rookie class headlined by players like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Jeremy Peña fresh off their postseason heroics, there are certain to be multiple cards that emerge as highly sought after chase cards. Here’s a closer look at some of the top 2023 Topps Chrome cards collectors will be targeting:
Julio Rodriguez Refractors – The AL Rookie of the Year had a phenomenal debut campaign for the Mariners in 2022 and is poised to be one of the faces of the game for years to come. Any Julio Rodriguez refractors, especially top parallels like the coveted 1/1 versions, are sure to be in high demand. His base refractor will also hold value as collectors look to add the budding superstar to their PC.
Bobby Witt Jr. Refractors – Like Rodriguez, Witt Jr. had an impressive first full season that saw him named an AL All-Star for the Royals. His talent and potential make him another young star the hobby is excited to collect. Bright future parallels of the budding third baseman will be popular pickups.
Jeremy Peña Refractors – As the MVP of the World Series for the Astros, Peña instantly became a household name. His stellar rookie season out of nowhere has created buzz around his refractors, and any parallels from the championship run will carry premium value.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Refractors – Always one of the most exciting players to watch, Acuña is working his way back from injury but remains one of the faces of the league. His base refractor will be a must-have, and high-number parallels could surge in demand depending on how he performs next season.
Sandy Alcantara Refractors – The NL Cy Young winner had a breakout season for the Marlins and established himself as one of the game’s most dominant pitchers. Alcantara’s stock is rising, making his refractors a smart addition for any PC.
Aaron Judge Refractors – After smashing the AL home run record, Judge will enter 2023 as one of the most watched players in baseball. Any parallels from his record-setting ‘22 campaign will hold significant collector interest.
Mike Trout Refractors – The consensus best player of this generation, Trout remains the holy grail for many collectors. While his base refractor holds steady value, ultra-low numbered parallels could see a bump in demand depending on how he bounces back from injury next season.
Rookie Short Prints – Topps Chrome is known for its tough-to-pull short prints of top rookies, and names like Oneil Cruz, Spencer Torkelson, and C.J. Abrams could emerge as the big short print chase cards of 2023 depending on their MLB performances.
Autograph Refractors – Topps Chrome always includes some of the top prospect and young star autographs collectors covet. Names like Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson, and Jackson Holliday will likely headline the sought-after autographed refractor checklist.
Base Set Short Prints – Traditional short prints like the SPs of superstars Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Mookie Betts will remain must-haves for completionists. Low serial numbered versions command top dollar on the secondary market.
Of course, player performances and postseason heroics next season could shift the focus and demand for certain cards. Injuries are always a factor as well. But based on 2022 and what we know so far, the above cards profile as some of the biggest 2023 Topps Chrome cards to target when the highly anticipated release hits store shelves and online marketplaces this December. For collectors, it’s another chance to add shiny parallels and short prints of both established stars and rising young talents to their collections.
