The baseball card hobby is booming once again, with interest and prices surging over the past couple years. With the start of a new year approaching, many collectors will be scouring the market to find the top baseball cards to add to their collections in 2023. While rookie cards of current stars like Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will certainly hold value, focusing solely on the newest issues can be risky. The following vintage and modern cards offer a blend of history, star power, and investment potential that collectors serious about building a portfolio should consider in the new year.

1909-11 T206 White Border Mickey Welch (PSA 1): The iconic T206 set from the early 20th century is the crown jewel of vintage issues. Within the massive 524-card checklist, the White Border subset is among the most coveted. Featuring retired players from the late 19th/early 20th century, the Mickey Welch card is one of the more affordable yet historically significant options in PSA 1 condition. Welch was a star pitcher in the 1870s and 1880s who helped the New York Giants win the 1888 World Series. With just a few dozen graded examples known, this is a rare opportunity to own an authentic piece of early baseball history for under $10,000.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 8): Arguably the single most iconic baseball card ever made, the rookie of “The Mick” is the undisputed king of post-war issues. While pristine PSA 10 examples now sell for well over $2 million, more accessible PSA 8s can still be had for under $100,000. At that price point, it’s a fairly low-risk collectible investment for exposure to one of the all-time fan favorite players. As one of the most popular athletes of the 20th century, Mantle’s enduring legacy ensures the card will remain a benchmark for the entire hobby.

1957 Topps Hank Aaron (PSA 8): Like Mantle for the Yankees, Hank Aaron was the face of the Atlanta Braves franchise for decades and holds many of baseball’s most hallowed career records. His iconic 1957 rookie card is one of the most historically significant from the post-WWII era. PSA 8s can be found in the $30-50k range, making it an affordable alternative to the Mantle for exposure to another first-ballot Hall of Famer. As one of the true home run kings of the game, Aaron’s legend is still growing more than a quarter century after his playing days ended.

1986 Fleer Barry Bonds (PSA 10): The 1986 rookie season was the coming out party for Barry Bonds, who went on to become arguably the greatest pure hitter in baseball history. High-grade PSA 10 examples of his Fleer rookie have cracked $100,000 as Bonds’ all-time home run record seems safe for the foreseeable future. Even in a PSA 9, this card can be acquired for under $10,000, a relative bargain considering Bonds is a lock for the Hall of Fame whenever he becomes eligible again. His prodigious talent and career accomplishments ensure this will remain one of the most coveted modern rookies.

1998 Bowman’s Best Refractor Chipper Jones (PSA 10): Chipper Jones spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the Atlanta Braves and was the cornerstone of their 1990s dynasty. While his regular Bowman rookie sells for five figures in a PSA 10, the ultra-rare refractors from Bowman’s Best number under 10 in the highest grade. Just owning a true “black label” example establishes you among the very elite Chipper Jones collectors. Last selling prices hovered around $50,000, a figure that seems destined to grow as Jones’ plaque gets hung in Cooperstown. For serious vintage Braves PC builders, this is as good as it gets from the late 90s/early 2000s era.

2003 Bowman Draft Pujols Patch Auto /99 (PSA/DNA 9): Albert Pujols was the surefire can’t-miss prospect who lived up to every ounce of hype over a 21-year MLB career. While his regular rookies are out of reach financially for most, low-numbered patch autographs remain relatively affordable at the moment. This special parallel offers a genuine piece of Pujols’ uniform from his draft year. Numbered to just 99 copies, PSA 9 examples have sold in the $8-10k range. That provides exposure to one of the best right-handed hitters in baseball history for a very reasonable cost compared to 1/1 cards. As Pujols’ first Hall of Fame class approaches, these rookie patches stand to gain even more appreciation.

2007 Bowman Draft Prospects Mike Trout Auto /99 (PSA 10): Widely considered the best all-around player of his generation, Mike Trout has put together a resume that should land him in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. While flagship rookies are well into the five figures, his draft prospect autographs remain surprisingly affordable given his superstar status. Numbered to 99 copies, PSA 10 examples have sold between $4-6k. That’s an absolute steal for a card featuring one of the faces of MLB and the current standard for excellence on the diamond. Trout is still early in what should be a Cooperstown career, so these rookie autos have massive upside over the next decade.

2009 Topps Update Bryce Harper Auto Orange Refractor /249 (PSA 10): Bryce Harper exploded onto the scene as a teenager with jaw-dropping tools and charisma. While injuries may have slowed his path, he’s still putting up All-Star numbers in his prime. Low-numbered refractors like this orange parallel remain very reasonably priced all things considered. Numbered to just 249 copies, PSA 10 examples have sold in the $3-4k range recently. That provides exposure to one of the biggest names in the game for an affordable cost. As Harper pushes toward 300 career home runs, these rookie gems have room for growth matching his continued production.

2015 Topps Update Kris Bryant Auto Blue Refractor /150 (PSA 10): Kris Bryant announced his arrival as the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Cubs to their first World Series title in over a century. While his regular rookies have gained value, low-numbered refractors remain a relative bargain. The blue parallel numbers to just 150 copies, with PSA 10s trading in the $2-3k range. Bryant has established himself as a perennial All-Star and is still in his prime. For the affordable price, these provide a chance to get in early on a potential future Hall of Famer before values explode.

Focusing on star players from across eras with Hall of Fame pedigrees and investing in their lowest-printed parallels offers collectors an opportunity to acquire blue-chip investments for reasonable costs. While modern stars carry risk, proven legends and their vintage gems have stood the test of time. A blend of both in a portfolio sets the stage for long-term appreciation matching the enduring legacies of baseball’s all-time greats.