Red Sox All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts is entering his 10th MLB season in 2023 after re-signing with Boston on an 11-year, $280 million contract. As one of the franchise cornerstones and a veteran leader in the clubhouse, Bogaerts’ baseball cards from the upcoming season are sure to be some of the most sought after. Let’s take a deeper look at what collectors can expect to find in their 2023 Xander Bogaerts baseball card collections.
Bogaerts has been a model of consistency throughout his career with the Red Sox since debuting in 2013. He’s appeared in at least 150 games each season except for the shortened 2020 campaign. This longevity and elite production has made Bogaerts one of the premier shortstops in baseball. As a result, his rookie cards from 2014 Topps and Bowman Sterling sell for well over $100 each today. With another strong season on the horizon, his newest cards are primed to hold value for collectors long-term.
Topps, as the MLB’s official card partner, will undoubtedly feature Bogaerts prominently in both their base set and various inserts. Expect an autograph or memorabilia card of him to be one of the big ticket short print chase cards in Series 1, Update, and High Number releases. Parallel and refractors of his base card will give collectors multiple options to add to their PC. In addition, Topps Chrome and Finest are sure to shine a spotlight on Bogaerts with their photo and design variations.
Panini prides themselves on securing exclusive MLB licensing outside of Topps. Their 2023 Donruss baseball offering will grant collectors access to unique Bogaerts parallels and autographs not found elsewhere. The brand new Prizm set from Panini is also poised to be a hot product, giving Bogey an exciting new card to lead collectors’ PC’s for years to come. Both companies have shown a knack for crafting memorable short prints and 1/1’s of star players that can become major holdings.
While the big two will deliver the bulk of Bogaerts’ 2023 cardboard, several smaller brands still provide fun and affordable collecting options. Allen & Ginter’s unique retro design is a fan favorite that will feature the Sox slugger. Leaf’s Metal Universe inserts in particular tend to gain appreciation for their innovative metallic parallels. Bogaerts is sure to shine in such premium sets. Even value offerings like Stadium Club and GQ from Topps offer collectors accessibility at reasonable price points.
Autograph hunters will find a plethora of Bogaerts signatures to pursue across the various releases as well. Topps’ Tribute set leads the way with memorabilia swatches and on-card autographs of the Red Sox hero. Luxury boxes from brands like Leaf and Panini provide the best odds at low serial numbered parallels. And don’t forget the allure of 1/1 plates and patches from high-end products like National Treasures. With Bogaerts locked in long-term, his modern autographed cards establish a stronghold in collections.
As one of the faces of Boston’s franchise, Bogaerts’ 2023 cards are sure to resonate with collectors both locally and worldwide. After a decade of Gold Glove caliber defense and consistent 20+ home run seasons at the plate, Bogey has cemented himself among the elite at his position. This type of sustained success translates directly to robust demand in the secondary market. Savvy investors would be wise to snap up affordable parallels and rookie cards now before appreciation sets in down the road. With another contract locked in, Bogaerts is a surefire staple of Red Sox collections for years to come.
In summary, Xander Bogaerts’ 2023 baseball cards are primed to excite collectors across the hobby. As one of baseball’s true iron men and a homegrown star, Bogey will see feature placements throughout flagship releases from Topps and Panini. Autograph hunters have an array of exclusive memorabilia cards to pursue as well. With over a decade of elite production already under his belt in Boston, Bogaerts has established a strong brand that resonates worldwide. Both casual fans and savvy investors would be well advised to accrue affordable 2023 cards now before they appreciate in value with time. The future is bright for Xander Bogaerts cardboard.
