The 2023 Topps baseball card set is one of the most anticipated releases each year. While the base cards may not hold huge value on their own, there are always standout rookie cards, short printed parallels, and special inserts that have the potential to greatly appreciate over time. Let’s take a look at some of the cards from the upcoming 2023 Topps series that could be valuable long term investments.
One of the top prospects for the 2023 class is shortstop Jackson Holliday, who was selected first overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2022 MLB Draft. His rookie card autographs and parallels from Topps are almost guaranteed to be some of the set’s most valuable. Holliday is considered a true five-tool player with potential star power, so his Topps Chrome autograph and refractor parallels especially could gain significant value if he develops into the superstar many scouts project. Other top rookie cards to watch include Druw Jones (Braves), Termarr Johnson (Red Sox), and Elijah Green (Royals).
Short prints have long been a driving factor in the popularity of high-end Topps products. The 2023 Topps Update Series is expected to continue the tradition of including scarce parallel cards at a rate of 1 per case or less. Past short prints like Mike Trout’s 2011 Update rookie refractor have sold for thousands. Keep an eye out for parallels of top young talents in low numbered formats like /99 or less from Update. Also watch specialty parallels like Photo Variations, which are only available one per box on average.
For collectors of the game’s biggest stars, autographed and memorabilia cards are where huge value resides long term. Topps Chrome and Finest often feature swatches and autographs of players like Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto. As their careers progress and Hall of Fame caliber seasons are achieved, these unique cards will become increasingly desirable. Numbered to extremely low editions like /10 or less, triple-swatch and dual-relic cards can easily sell for thousands in top-graded condition years down the line.
Insert sets within Topps products frequently gain cult followings and secondary market strength over time. Past examples include Topps Chrome Refractors, Topps Finest Refractors, and Topps Archives photo variations. For 2023, Topps Heritage High Number is confirmed to include a special “Stars of the Game” insert set featuring current greats and retired legends. These nostalgic snapshot style cards are a perfect fit for the Heritage aesthetic and collector demand will likely drive values up significantly for stars.
Of course, the biggest movers will always be the true one-of-one 1/1 parallel cards available exclusively in Hobby Jumbo Boxes or higher end products. Past hits have included dual-signed 1/1s of Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter from Topps Tribute that sold for over $100,000. While extremely rare, these unique 1/1 cards represent the pinnacle achievement for any collector and hold value as true works of modern sports memorabilia art. Even 10-20 years from now, a 1/1 parallel of a player who went on to greatness could demand a massive price tag.
When evaluating the long term potential of 2023 Topps cards, focus on the premier rookies, short printed parallels available at chase rates, autographed memorabilia cards of rising stars, cult insert sets, and the elusive true 1/1 parallel cards. Condition is also critical – a top graded gem mint rookie or auto from a future Hall of Famer will hold exponentially more value. With patience and foresight, savvy collectors can identify and acquire cards from the upcoming release that become valuable holdings for their portfolios. The 2023 Topps series is primed to produce many such prospects.
