The 2023 Donruss baseball set is one of the most anticipated releases of the new year. As baseball card collectors prepare to rip packs and boxes looking for their favorite players and big hits, certain cards rise to the top of want lists. While rookie cards will always garner attention, veterans can also hold significant value. Let’s take a look at some of the best cards to target from the upcoming Donruss release.
Shohei Ohtani Base Rookie Card – Ohtani has quickly become the face of baseball thanks to his two-way talents as a pitcher and hitter. His 2018 Topps Chrome rookie remains one of the most coveted modern cards. The Donruss version from the same year is nearly as iconic in design and captures Ohtani in his debut season. With another MVP-caliber campaign in 2022 that saw him lead the league in home runs, Ohtani mania is at an all-time high. His base rookie remains a must-own for Angels PC collectors and is a strong long-term hold.
Juan Soto Rainbow Foil Prizm – Soto emerged as a true superstar in 2019 at just 20 years old and has done nothing but get better each season. The 2021 Nationals fire sale saw Soto become the new face of the Padres franchise. His rookie cards from 2018 Topps are pricey, but the 2019 Donruss Prizm parallel offers a stunning alternative. Featuring bright colors and a hyper-textured foil treatment, Soto’s Prizm is one of the most visually appealing cards in the set.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Autograph – Acuña was well on his way to superstardom before a torn ACL cut short his 2021 season. Now fully healthy again in 2023, collectors are eager to re-invest in one of the game’s most exciting young talents. His 2018 Donruss rookie autograph remains a must-have for Braves PC collectors. With a serial-numbered printing of just 99 copies, Acuña’s auto is one of the scarcest hits in the set. Pair that with his 5-tool abilities and the card holds strong long-term value.
Mike Trout Rainbow Foil – Trout is simply on another level as the best all-around player of his generation. While his rookie cards from 2009 are out of reach for most collectors pricewise, Trout’s earlier Donruss issues offer a more affordable alternative. The 2012 release features a stunning Rainbow Foil parallel of the three-time AL MVP. With vibrant colors and an electric foil treatment, this Trout parallel is one of the most visually striking cards in the set year after year.
Albert Pujols Base – Pujols wrapped up his Hall of Fame career in 2022 still holding numerous all-time records. “The Machine” spent 11 seasons terrorizing NL pitching as a Cardinal before finishing up his career in Anaheim and St. Louis again. His 2001 Donruss rookie remains a true Holy Grail. But his base cards from his early Cardinals days, like the 2003 release, make for an attainable alternative for Pujols PC collectors before Father Time began catching up to him.
Aaron Judge Autograph – After smashing an AL-record 62 home runs in 2022 and winning AL MVP, Judge is now arguably the biggest star in baseball. While his 2017 Topps Chrome rookie rocketed in value, Judge’s autographed rookie from the same year Donruss set is still relatively affordable for most collectors. With his massive season cementing his superstar status, now is the time to snatch up an auto from the player who could set new single-season HR records in the years ahead.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rainbow Foil – Vlad Jr. looked primed for stardom from the moment he debuted in 2019. After a breakout 2021 season where he finished third in AL MVP voting, Guerrero Jr. is living up to the hype as a true masher in the middle of the Blue Jays’ order. His 2018 Bowman Chrome rookie remains a crown jewel, but the 2019 Donruss Prizm parallel is a stunning alternative at a fraction of the cost. Featuring his smooth lefty swing in brilliant foil colors, this Guerrero Jr. parallel is sure to gain value as his career progresses.
Fernando Tatis Jr. Autograph – When healthy, Tatis is one of the most electric and entertaining players in baseball. Injuries slowed what looked to be a likely MVP campaign in 2022. But at just 24, Tatis’ best years are still ahead. His 2018 Bowman Chrome Paper rookie took the hobby by storm, but the signed version from Donruss that same year gives collectors a more budget-friendly Tatis auto to hold long-term. With his combination of five-tools and flair for the dramatic, Tatis remains one of the faces of the next generation.
Mookie Betts Rainbow Foil – After helping lead the Dodgers to a World Series title in 2020, Betts has cemented himself as a true five-tool superstar. His early Bowman Chrome issues are out of reach for most, but the 2018 Donruss Prizm parallel offers a stunning career-definer for the 30-year-old star. Featuring his sweet left-handed swing in an electric colorburst foil treatment, this Betts parallel captures him in his Red Sox prime and will only gain appreciation as his Hall of Fame resume grows.
Yordan Alvarez Autograph – Alvarez burst onto the scene in 2019 and has developed into one of baseball’s most feared sluggers. While the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal hurt short-term interest in their stars, Alvarez’s prodigious lefty power alone is drawing collectors back in. His 2019 Bowman Paper rookie auto remains a true gem. But the signed version from the same year’s Donruss release gives Alvarez PC builders a more budget-friendly option to hold long-term on the 25-year-old masher.
Randy Arozarena Rainbow Foil – Arozarena had one of the greatest postseason runs in history during the Rays’ 2020 World Series run that saw him win ALCS MVP. He followed it up with a breakout 2021 campaign. While his 2020 Postseason heroics earned him rookie cards, Arozarena’s early Donruss issues give collectors an opportunity to own a career-defining parallel at a lower price point. Featuring his smooth lefty swing in vivid foil colors, this Arozarena parallel captures him at the start of what should be a very productive big league career.
Wander Franco Autograph – Franco took the baseball world by storm in 2021 by hitting over .300 while still a teenager in his first full MLB season. He has all the tools to develop into a true five-tool superstar for the Rays for years to come. While his 2021 Bowman Paper rookie auto exploded in value, the signed version from Donruss that same year gives collectors an affordable Franco auto to hold long-term. With his combination of youth, talent, and market, Franco remains one of the most coveted young stars in the game.
Luis Robert Rainbow Foil – After a breakout 2020 season that saw him finish second in AL ROY voting, Robert looked primed for stardom. Injuries slowed him in 2022, but at just 25, his best seasons are ahead. His 2020 Bowman Chrome rookie skyrocketed, but the 2019 Donruss Prizm parallel offers collectors an electric Robert career-definer at a lower price point. Featuring his sweet lefty swing in brilliant foil colors ahead of his breakout season, this Robert parallel is poised to gain value as he returns to full health and production.
Yordan Alvarez Rainbow Foil – As one of the game’s most feared sluggers, Alvarez is cementing himself among the elite young power hitters in baseball. While his 2019 Bowman Paper rookie took off, the Prizm parallel from Donruss that same year gives collectors an electric Alvarez career-definer at a more affordable price. With his prodigious lefty power and just turning 25 in 2023, Alvarez’s best seasons are still ahead of him. This brilliant foil captures him on the verge of stardom and remains a strong long-term investment.
While rookie cards will always be popular chase cards, the 2023 Donruss baseball set offers established stars’ parallels and memorabilia cards that provide affordable career-definers and opportunities for long-term appreciation. From franchise cornerstones like Trout and Pujols to emerging talents like Robert and Franco, Donruss delivers investment-worthy cards across the player spectrum each year. For collectors building complete long-term PC’s of their favorite players, Donruss continues to be a must-rip annual release.
