The 2023 Topps baseball card set is set to be released in just a few months and there are already some cards collectors will be hunting for. Topps has maintained its position as the premier baseball card manufacturer for decades by creating memorable rookie cards and chasing parallels and autographs of star players.
Some of the top rookies to look for include Reds pitcher Hunter Greene, who wowed in his rookie season with a 100+ mph fastball. His autograph and rookie cards will be hot commodities. Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan had a breakout rookie campaign and established himself as a versatile contributor. His rookie cards will gain value as he continues to perform at the MLB level. Guardians infielder Steven Kwan had one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory, hitting over .300 while playing stellar defense. Any Kwan parallels or autographs will hold serious value long term as it looks like he’ll be a mainstay in Cleveland’s lineup.
Two huge stars entering their first season of Topps cards will be rookie cards to target. 2021 top draft pick Henry Davis of the Pirates caught just 13 games in his debut but showed massive power potential. As he advances, his rookie cards will climb in price. The biggest superstar rookie is likely to be Mariners lefty George Kirby, who had an incredible rookie year and looks like a fixture in Seattle’s rotation for years. His flagship rookie card and any serial numbered parallels will demand big money in the years ahead.
When it comes to star players with established track records, prospectors will be hunting for parallels and autographs of superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto, Mookie Betts and more. The value of flagship parallels like gold /50, silver /77 or teal /99 never ceases to increase over time. Autograph cards of course always gain value as the star’s greatness continues as well. Some less expensive but still quality stars to target include super-utility man Christian Walker of the Diamondbacks, Twins power-hitter Luis Arraez and Dodgers swing man Tony Gonsolin.
Veterans and All-Stars who could see career resurgences in 2023 also present opportunity. Cards of Mike Clevinger, Giancarlo Stanton, Corey Seager and Clayton Kershaw offer middleground risk-reward potential. Clevinger returned from Tommy John and adds ace caliber potential to the Padres rotation. Stanton has battled injuries but is a perennial MVP candidate when healthy. Seager and Kershaw seek to lead the defending champs back to the top and their cards could spike with strong seasons.
Other categories of vintage Topps cards that tend to rise in the coming year include traded players in new uniforms. Watch for cards of Aaron Judge as a Dodger, Trea Turner in Philadelphia or Jacob deGrom with the Rangers if/when those superstars change scenery. Rookies from past seasons also trend up as young stars break out further like Logan Webb, Alec Bohm or Ian Anderson. Parallels and Serial Numbered cards from flagship years provide built in scarcity.
Investors would be wise to pick up base Topps flagship cards of future Hall of Famers near or in their primes. Guys like Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna Jr and Fernando Tatis Jr. will only grow more valuable as legends. Their entire rookie seasons in flagship may be had for a few dollars now but will be worth exponentially more 15-20 years down the line. If you’re in it for the long haul, established future HOFers offer unequaled slow appreciation potential far outpacing inflation.
The 2023 Topps baseball card release will feature some of the biggest stars and rising prospects in the game. Keep an eye out for flagship rookie cards, prospecting serial numbered parallel versions and autographs of Greene, Kirby, Kwan, Davis and more. Target core veteran stars like Ohtani, Betts, deGrom and super utility players. Consider cards of veterans hoping for bounceback campaigns or future Hall of Famers early in their primes. With savvy collecting focused on these key players and categories, collectors stand to realize strong returns on their 2023 Topps baseball cards investments for years to come.
