The 2023 baseball season is right around the corner which means it will soon be the perfect time to start collecting some of the most valuable and sought after modern baseball cards. Topps continues to be the industry leader in baseball cards and their 2023 series 1 release is sure to contain several rookie cards and parallels of star players that will hold significant value in the years to come. Let’s take a look at some of the top Topps baseball cards to look out for from the 2023 season.
perhaps the most anticipated rookie card release for 2023 will be San Diego Padres shortstop C.J. Abrams. Abrams finished the 2022 season strong and looks poised for a breakout campaign in 2023 now that Fernando Tatis Jr. will be suspended. Any parallels or autographed versions of Abrams’ rookie card could fetch a high premium from collectors next season. Another rookie to watch out for is catcher Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles. After a solid debut in 2022, Rutschman will look to take that next step as the future catcher and face of the Orioles franchise. An on-card auto of Rutschman would surely be one of the highest valued prospects cards of 2023.
For star veterans, Aaron Judge’s cards from the 2022 season completely exploded in value after his historic 62 home run campaign. With Judge now a Yankee for life after re-signing long term, any 2023 Topps cards featuring the face of baseball will hold significance. Parallel color variations like the popular rainbow foilrefractor parallels could gain high dollar values in the future. Speaking of parallels, any short printed parallels featuring superstar Shohei Ohtani who continues to redefine what is possible on the mound and at the plate for the Angels will be must-have cards for collectors. Parallels like the elusive 1/1 auto parallel could fetch enormous sums.
Rookies are always a hot commodity but established young stars are also great investments. Looking ahead to 2023, Cards of Ronald Acuña Jr. as he returns from injury looking to reclaim his throne as one of baseball’s best will hold value. The same can be said for 2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman as he plays his first full season with the Dodgers. Top pitching prospects like Tampa Bay’s Shane Baz and Detroit’s Jackson Jobe who had success in their MLB debuts late in 2022 can gain traction as well. Baz and Jobe rookie cards may gain steam if they break out as starters in 2023.
Autograph cards will always demand a premium in the hobby but numbered parallels tend to gain plenty of collector interest too due to their limited print runs. Keep an eye out for short printed parallels like the elusive 1/1s of course but also low numbered parallels like /25, /10 and lower. These exclusive parallels that feature the games brightest young stars and veterans are irresistible to collectors looking to own a truly one-of-a-kind card. Speaking of one-of-a-kinds, error cards are also hugely popular among collectors. While they can’t be predicted, keep an eye out for printing mistakes, missing signatures or other abnormalities that make a card a true error gem.
Of course, the value of any modern baseball card lives and dies by the performance of the player on it. Rookies and prospects are risks that may or may not pan out. Veterans can get injured or see declines. The athletes featured above are among the safest bets based on talent and what they’ve shown us already. But part of the fun of the hobby is chasing breakouts, investing in upside, and joining the ride of rising young stars. There will surely be plenty more valuable rookies and parallels revealed when 2023 Topps Series 1 hits hobby store shelves in early 2023. Have fun and good luck in chasing down these exciting cards to start your new year of collecting.
In summary, Topps 2023 Series 1 is primed to produce many valuable cards both short and long term. Rookies like Abrams and Rutschman, stars like Judge and Ohtani, vets like Freeman and Acuna and young arms like Baz and Jobe are just a few names that should produce cards worth holding in your collection. Factor in limited parallels, errors, and surprise breakouts and there will be no shortage of cards from the 2023 season that could greatly increase in value in the years to come.
