The 2023 Donruss Baseball set is one of the most anticipated releases of the new year. While Donruss is known for its affordable wax boxes and packs, certain rookie cards and parallels within the set have tremendous potential to gain value in the secondary market. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the 2023 Donruss Baseball cards that could become very valuable in the coming years.
One of the biggest storylines entering the 2023 season is Shohei Ohtani continuing his quest to dominate on both the mound and at the plate. As the reigning American League MVP and one of the faces of MLB, Ohtani’s base rookie cards from previous Donruss sets have skyrocketed in value in recent years. His 2023 Donruss base card is unlikely to gain much since it is readily available in packs and boxes. Low-numbered parallels and autographed or memorabilia cards of Ohtani could appreciate tremendously given his superstar status. Collector interest in Ohtani remains huge, so look for 1/1 parallels and high-end memorabilia cards to fetch five figures or more down the road.
Another player who could take the baseball world by storm in 2023 is Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners. Rodriguez had a breakout rookie campaign that saw him selected for the All-Star Game and finish second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. His 2021 Donruss Chrome rookie card skyrocketed in price last year, proving his marketability and potential impact on the hobby. Rodriguez’s 2023 Donruss base rookie card will likely be obtainable at a reasonable cost initially but has the chance to gain value quickly if he builds upon his success. Low-numbered refractors, autographs, and memorabilia cards from 2023 Donruss could emerge as true gems in collectors’ portfolios given Rodriguez’s superstar trajectory.
Bobby Witt Jr. made headlines by debuting with the Kansas City Royals in 2022 and showing off tantalizing talent that has him poised for stardom. The top prospect’s 2022 Donruss rookie cards gained value steadily throughout last season and still have room for growth. Witt’s 2023 Donruss base card will be obtainable but could become a long-term hold, especially if he takes another step forward in his sophomore campaign. As with Rodriguez, low-numbered refractors, autographs, and memorabilia cards from Witt’s 2023 Donruss rookie year have the potential to emerge as true blue chip investments.
One of the most intriguing rookies to debut in 2023 could be Cardinals catcher/outfielder Delvin Perez. A former top-25 overall prospect, Perez missed most of 2022 due to injury but has five-tool potential and could carve out an everyday role in St. Louis next season. While Perez is far from a proven commodity, his 2023 Donruss rookie cards could emerge as true sleepers. If he gets off to a hot start and remains healthy, collectors may bid up the prices of his low-print parallels, autos, and memorabilia cards quickly. Even his base rookie card has longshot appeal as a potential bargain given the talent Perez has flashed in the minors.
Veteran superstars continuing to produce at an elite level can also lead to valuable cards in Donruss sets. For example, if Mike Trout stays healthy and battles Ohtani for the AL MVP award again, his 2023 Donruss base card and parallels could hold steady value. The same goes for other perennial stars like Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, and Fernando Tatis Jr. Of course, major injuries or declines in performance could dampen the values of these veterans’ 2023 Donruss cards. But for players expected to continue contending for individual honors and team success, their base cards and low-numbered parallels remain a relatively safe bet to hold value long-term.
Beyond rookies and proven stars, breakout candidates on winning teams could yield valuable 2023 Donruss cards as well. Cardinals first baseman/outfielder Juan Yepez made a strong impression as a rookie in 2022 and could be primed for a bigger role in 2023. Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic and Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos are former top prospects looking to solidify their careers after up-and-down debuts. Breakouts from these types of players could lead to surging demand for their 2023 Donruss rookies and parallels.
The 2023 Donruss set is sure to include its usual assortment of valuable inserts, parallels, and memorabilia cards. Low-numbered prizm refractors, rainbow foil parallels, autographs, and game-used memorabilia cards of top players will always be in high demand. Unique promotional parallels like Walmart Blues, Target Reds, and Hobby-exclusive greens could also emerge as long-term holds. While Donruss is affordable for most collectors, savvy investors would be wise to target the aforementioned rookies, stars, and short-print cards that have the strongest chance of appreciating from the 2023 release.
The 2023 Donruss Baseball set is primed to produce several valuable cards based on top rookies, veterans, and short-print parallels. Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., Shohei Ohtani, and breakout candidates have the most upside, while stars like Trout and low-numbered inserts remain relatively safe. For collectors and investors, focusing on these types of 2023 Donruss cards is a smart strategy to build holdings that can gain value in the years to come. As always in the hobby, on-field performance will be a major driver, but this release has plenty of candidates to emerge as tomorrow’s most coveted cardboard.
