The 2023 Topps Heritage baseball card set is one of the most anticipated releases of the new year. As with every Heritage set, it pays tribute to vintage Topps designs from the past while also providing collectors with some of the top rookies and stars from the current MLB season. With its retro aesthetic and focus on key players, Heritage always manages to be a highly sought-after set.
This year’s edition is no exception, headlined by major names like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Ronald Acuña Jr. adorning the fronts of packs. But beyond the big stars that drive initial hype, there are also several prospects and breakout talents that could end up being long-term valuable cards in the set. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top rookies, prospects, and parallels to be on the hunt for as you rip packs or purchase singles of the 2023 Topps Heritage release.
Bobby Witt Jr. – The Royals star rookie had a phenomenal debut season that saw him finish second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Any of his base Heritage cards will be hot, but parallel and auto versions could really take off in value with a few more strong seasons.
Julio Rodriguez – Like Witt, J-Rod had an incredible first MLB campaign that earned him the AL Rookie of the Year award. His Heritage rookies, including parallels and autographs, are sure to be in high demand.
Oneil Cruz – Not all that far behind Rodriguez and Witt in the rookie power rankings, Cruz made a splash for the Pirates in 2023. At 6’7″ with incredible raw tools, his cards hold breakout potential.
Adley Rutschman – After a few years of top prospect hype, Rutschman finally debuted for the Orioles in 2023 and did not disappoint. As the new face of Baltimore baseball, his Heritage cards will be popular.
Spencer Strider – Strider exploded onto the scene for the Braves in 2022 and looks like a budding ace. His rookie cards, especially autographs, could pay off nicely in the long run.
Nolan Gorman – The Cardinals infielder took a step forward in his sophomore season and will be an exciting young power threat for years. Heritage rookies could gain value.
One card that is already gaining buzz before the set even releases is the Heritage SP variation of superstar Shohei Ohtani, due to his incredible two-way play. Parallel and auto versions of this card in particular will be at the top of want lists.
Rookies aren’t the only story though – stars like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Mike Trout, and Aaron Judge will drive initial interest as the faces of the sport and franchise players. But keep an eye out for lesser-known veterans as well who could see a career resurgence in 2023. A breakout season from players like Bo Bichette or Shane Bieber could give their Heritage cards a nice boost.
When it comes to parallels, as with most modern sets the color variations will play a big role in the long-term appeal and potential value increases of certain cards. Top parallel versions to target in 2023 Heritage include:
Gold /50 (among the lowest printed)
Red /25
Blue /5 (extremely scarce)
1/1 Printing Plates (unique)
Autograph cards will also be a major collector focus, with rookie autos holding the most long-term potential upside. Watch out for low-numbered parallels of the top young stars like Witt Jr., Rodriguez, Cruz, and Rutschman. Veteran autos can gain value too with hot seasons – keep an eye out for parallels of Ohtani, Trout, Soto, etc.
While the base set will drive initial retail interest, keep an eye on Heritage’s prestigious high-number parallels towards the end of the checklist. Numbers like #150, #250, and especially the ultra-short-printed #500 parallels featuring the biggest names are always collector favorites. These tend to gain value quickly due to their extreme scarcity.
With its classic designs, focus on current stars and top prospects, and scarcity of highly-numbered parallels and autographs, the 2023 Topps Heritage baseball set is primed to be a major release of the new year. For investors, collectors, and fans alike, keeping an eye out for the top rookies, prospects, parallels and stars within its pages offers plenty of long-term potential. It’s sure to be one of the most picked through and discussed modern issues over the coming months.
