The 2023 Topps baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year, as it features current stars, top rookies, and fan favorites from across Major League Baseball. With a new season on the horizon, let’s take a look at some of the biggest names that are sure to be featured prominently in the upcoming flagship Topps series.
Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels): There may not be a more exciting two-way player in baseball right now than Shohei Ohtani of the Angels. The reigning AL MVP put together an unprecedented season in 2022, slugging 34 home runs and striking out 156 batters on the mound. Ohtani is one of the faces of MLB and will undoubtedly receive some of the top cards in the 2023 Topps set, including prized parallels and autographs.
Aaron Judge (New York Yankees): After smashing an AL record 62 home runs in 2022 and contending for the Triple Crown, Aaron Judge is poised to be one of the most sought-after players in the upcoming Topps release. The towering outfielder will likely receive several insert cards showcasing his mammoth blasts. An autograph of Judge’s record-setting season would be one of the crown jewels of any collector’s collection.
Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels): When healthy, Mike Trout is arguably the best player of his generation. Unfortunately, injuries have limited the superstar to just 36 games over the past two seasons. However, Trout remains one of the faces of baseball and always receives premier cards from Topps. Collectors will be hoping for a return to form from Trout in 2023 to make his rookie cards and parallels all the more desirable.
Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers): A perennial MVP candidate, Mookie Betts helped lead the Dodgers to the 2022 NL West title. The dynamic all-around player hits for average and power while providing Gold Glove defense in the outfield. Betts is always among the most popular Dodgers in annual Topps releases.
Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies): Bryce Harper put the Phillies on his back en route to their first World Series appearance since 2009. The slugging outfielder clubbed 35 home runs in the regular season before tearing the cover off the ball in the postseason. Harper’s iconic swing and flair for the dramatic make him a collector favorite.
Juan Soto (San Diego Padres): At just 24 years old, Juan Soto has already established himself as one of the best hitters in baseball. The switch-hitting outfielder was the centerpiece in an August blockbuster trade that sent him from the Nationals to the Padres. Soto will be a cornerstone of the Friars for years to come and figures to receive some of Topps’ finest cards as he starts a new chapter in San Diego.
Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves): When healthy, Ronald Acuña Jr. is one of the most electrifying players in MLB thanks to his five-tool talents. Unfortunately, ACL injuries have limited him to just 82 games over the past two seasons. If Acuña can stay on the field in 2023, his cards will be some of the most popular in the hobby given his breakout potential.
Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros): Yordan Alvarez followed up his 2021 ALCS and World Series heroics with another monstrous campaign in 2022, slugging 37 home runs for the powerhouse Astros. The beefy Cuban slugger is must-see TV every time he digs into the batter’s box. Alvarez figures to be one of the top young stars featured in Topps’ next flagship release.
Two-way stars like Ohtani continue to capture the imagination of fans and collectors alike. Rookies Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II made huge impacts for the World Series champion Braves in 2022 and will likely receive prominent rookie cards from Topps. Veterans like Nolan Arenado, Freddie Freeman, and Jose Ramirez ensure that star power is well-represented from both leagues. Topps never fails to highlight the biggest names in baseball each year, making their annual series can’t-miss products for fans both young and old. With a full 2023 season on deck, this year’s Topps release is sure to feature more unforgettable moments from baseball’s brightest stars.
