The 2023 Topps Series 2 baseball card set is one of the most anticipated mid-season releases of the year. Following up the flagship Series 1 issue from earlier in the season, Series 2 offers fans the chance to collect new photos and updated stats from the current MLB campaign. Series 2 is also known for including rookie cards of players who made their debuts after Series 1 was finalized.
This year’s Series 2 release maintains the traditional 382-card base set size. As with previous years, the checklist is comprised mainly of current MLB players but also features retired greats, managers, and team logo cards. Some of the top veteran stars featured in the base set include Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Gerrit Cole. Top rookie cards to look for are Adley Rutschman, Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Strider, and Oneil Cruz.
Beyond the base cards, Topps Series 2 also includes several popular insert sets. One of the most sought-after is the “Stars of the Topps Era” subset, which pays tribute to iconic players from different eras in Topps card history. The 10-card insert set for 2023 features Ken Griffey Jr. (1989 Topps), Cal Ripken Jr. (1991 Topps), Barry Bonds (1992 Topps Update), Derek Jeter (1996 Topps), Alex Rodriguez (1997 Topps), Albert Pujols (2001 Topps), Mike Trout (2012 Topps Update), Christian Yelich (2018 Topps), Ronald Acuña Jr. (2019 Topps Update), and Juan Soto (2021 Topps Update).
Another popular insert is the “Topps Now” cards, which capture memorable MLB moments from the current season. These photo-variant inserts are inserted randomly in Series 2 hobby boxes at a rate of one per pack on average. Topps Now cards from 2023 so far have highlighted big plays, milestones, no-hitters, and award winners. Completing the Topps Now set each year provides a unique chronicle of the season as it unfolds.
Autograph and memorabilia cards are also a big part of the excitement surrounding Series 2. The base autograph checklist features a mix of rising young stars and veteran greats. Rookie autographs of players like Strider, Cruz, and Witt are in high demand. Serialized parallels like gold, silver, and black border the standard autographed cards. Memorabilia cards include “Diamond Duos” dual relics and traditional single-relic patches. Numbered parallels and low-serial autographs provide the chase aspect for memorabilia collectors.
In addition to the standard release, Topps also issues some special Series 2 products. The “Walmart” exclusive edition contains bonus blue-bordered base cards and retail-exclusive inserts. “Update” packs inserted in Series 2 hobby boxes feature photo and roster updates for players who moved teams after the base set was finalized. And “High Tek” packs offer a modern twist with 3D lenticular cards highlighting today’s stars.
Secondary market demand for Series 2 is high, especially for rookie cards of emerging young talents. While base cards from the standard set are readily available, parallels, short prints, autographs and memorabilia hold significant collector value. Rookie autographs of players like Witt, Strider and Rutschman routinely fetch hundreds or thousands of dollars. Top rookie parallels like Witt’s gold border or Strider’s negative refractors can sell for even more depending on the serial number.
With its mix of established stars, rookie debuts, and fun inserts chronicling the MLB season, Topps Series 2 is a vital mid-year release for both active set builders and savvy investors. The 2023 edition looks to continue the tradition of providing an exciting new chapter for collectors to enjoy as baseball’s summer heats up. Whether completing the base roster or chasing down short printed parallels and autographed rookies, Series 2 offers something for all types of modern card collectors and fans. Its August release is always a highly anticipated event and 2023 figures to be no exception.
