The 2023 Donruss baseball card set is one of the most anticipated releases each year from Panini America. Donruss has been producing affordable and fun baseball cards for collectors since 1981. While they may not carry the same cachet as Topps or Bowman, Donruss cards remain popular due to their classic design aesthetic and accessibility.
For the 2023 season, Donruss is continuing their tradition of offering collectors a large base set along with numerous parallels and insert sets at an affordable price point. The release of the new design each year is a highly anticipated event on the baseball card calendar. While individual cards may not carry huge values, completing sets is very doable for most collectors on a budget. Let’s take a deeper look at what collectors can expect from the 2023 Donruss release and how card values may fluctuate over time.
Base Cards: As with every year, the bulk of the 2023 Donruss set will consist of the base cards. There will likely be around 350-400 total base cards in the standard release. Routine base cards for current major leaguers will hold very little resale value initially, usually settling in the $0.25-$1 range depending on the player. Top rookie cards or stars may command $2-5 each. Base cards are where set builders will spend most of their time and money. Over many years, well-kept base cards for all-time great players could appreciate to $5-10 each.
Parallels: Donruss is known for including numerous parallel variations of their base cards each year to add to the fun of set collecting. In 2023, expect at least 10 different parallels ranging from standard refractors to more rare color variations. Refractors and other “hits” from hobby boxes will initially sell in the $3-10 range on average. Rare color parallel rookie cards for future stars could reach $20-50 shortly after release. Many parallels will not gain much long-term value unless they feature a true Hall of Famer.
Rookies: As with any set, the rookie cards will attract the most attention and demand. Top prospects like Grayson Rodriguez and Druw Jones will see their Donruss rookie cards list for $10-20 immediately following release. If they live up to the hype, those first Donruss cards could reach $50-100 within a couple years. More mid-tier prospects may start at $3-5 and top out around $20-30 long-term. Only the biggest star rookies, especially those who achieve stardom quickly, will routinely surpass $100 in value long-term from their Donruss rookie cards.
Insert Sets: Donruss typically includes several popular insert sets beyond the base cards. Topps-style “Diamond Kings” parallels usually number around 50 cards and feature current stars. These inserts will debut around the $5-10 range and top out around $20-30 for the biggest names long-term. “Flashback Friday” throwback cards gain popularity each year and start around $2-5 with stars reaching $10-15. Autograph and memorabilia cards provide the highest hit value potential from retail and hobby boxes, often debuting in the $50-100 range.
Long-Term Holders: While individual Donruss cards may not carry huge values, the sets have proven to be a solid long-term investment for patient collectors. Complete base sets can often be acquired for $100-200 and maintain their value over decades. Well-kept rookie cards for true legends continue increasing in value as their careers progress. A mint 1984 Donruss Roger Clemens rookie just sold for over $4,000. Top stars like Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw are already seeing their Donruss cards command over $100 each and should reach the $1,000+ range within the next 10-20 years.
While individual 2023 Donruss cards may not carry huge price tags, the affordability and fun of collecting the entire set makes it appealing to many collectors. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers and popular inserts provide the best long-shot investment potential. But for set builders on a budget, Donruss remains one of the most accessible and collectible baseball card releases each year. With care and patience, complete 2023 Donruss sets should hold and potentially increase in value for dedicated collectors over the long run.
