Baseball card collecting is a beloved hobby for many sports fans. Each new year brings anticipation for the upcoming baseball season as well as the release of new baseball card sets and packs. 2023 promises to be another exciting year for the hobby, with several major card companies unveiling new products featuring today’s top MLB stars and rookies.
Topps has been the dominant force in the baseball card industry for decades. In 2023, Topps will release its flagship Topps Series 1 baseball card set in late winter/early spring. This set annually features over 300 base cards highlighting players from all 30 MLB teams. Topps Series 1 cards for rookies and stars are usually in high demand from collectors. Some key rookies expected to have cards in the 2023 Topps Series 1 set include Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals and Riley Greene of the Detroit Tigers – two highly-touted prospects who made their MLB debuts in 2022. Topps will also release special parallel and short-printed “hit” cards within the Series 1 set to add to the excitement of opening packs.
In addition to Series 1, Topps plans to release Series 2 and Heritage sets later in the season. The Heritage set pays tribute to the classic baseball card designs of the past. Topps Update, released in fall, provides updated player info and rookie cards for call-ups who debuted after the initial Series 1-3 releases. Jumbo boxes containing 24 packs and guaranteed autograph or memorabilia cards will be available for each Topps flagship set. Topps Chrome, featuring refractors and other “hit” parallel cards, is sure to be another popular product. Overall, Topps remains the most accessible brand for the average collector due to widespread retail distribution of their products at major outlets.
Upper Deck is the other major player in the modern baseball card market. In 2023, Upper Deck will continue their Sterling brand which focuses on premium cards with higher end parallels and autographs. Sterling packs and boxes are more expensive than typical Topps but offer collectors a different artistic style and “hit” odds. Upper Deck’s 2023 MLB flagship set is slated for release in March/April and will feature base cards of all current players as well as prospects. Upper Deck is known for innovative parallel designs like their “Black” and “Gold” refractors that attract high-end collectors. Their products may not be found in as many retail stores but are readily available online.
Panini is a relative newcomer to baseball cards but has gained popularity in recent years. Panini’s 2023 Donruss set is scheduled to drop in late winter/early spring with on-trend retro designs and a fan-favorite “Optic” parallel set. Panini is also expected to release more of their “Prizm” basketball-style refractors in a baseball card edition. While Panini products are distributed primarily through hobby shops and online, their colorful “hits” have earned them a cult following. Collectors will be on the lookout for rookie cards of emerging young stars in Panini’s 2023 releases.
In addition to the flagship releases from Topps, Upper Deck, and Panini, several smaller companies offer niche baseball card products. Leaf produces high-end sets focused more on memorabilia and autographs. Allen & Ginter brings an eclectic mix of players alongside non-sports inserts. Stadium Club and Bowman are known for their photograph-centric base card designs. And collectors can find retail-exclusive sets sold at big box stores under brands like Topps Transcendent and Donruss Elite.
Overall, 2023 looks to be a strong year for new baseball card releases and the hobby overall. With a full MLB season on deck after two pandemic-impacted years, interest and excitement among players both young and old is running high. Top rookies like Oneil Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr. and others will attract new collectors to the hobby. And time-tested brands like Topps, Upper Deck and Panini will continue to innovate and drive the market forward. Whether collecting base cards, parallels or autographs, there will be no shortage of product for those seeking to build their collections throughout the upcoming season.
