The 2023 baseball season is set to begin in just a few months, which means the new year of baseball cards are starting to hit the hobby. Baseball card collectors are always eagerly awaiting the release of the latest season’s cards to rip packs, chase their favorite players, and find the big hits. 2023 looks to continue the momentum from recent years and provide collectors with some excellent hobby box options across the major brands.
Topps, as the longest-tenured brand in the baseball card industry, will have its standard Topps Series 1, Series 2, and Topps Chrome releases. The flagship Topps Series 1 is always one of the most anticipated releases of the year, as it provides collectors their first chance at cards featuring stats and photos from the previous season. The 2023 Topps Series 1 is set for wide release in late February/early March. It will feature the usual assortment of base cards, parallels, inserts, and autographs/memorabilia cards. Topps Chrome then follows in late spring/early summer with its refractor parallel version of the base cards. Both sets are must-haves for any collector looking to build their player collections from the ground up.
Panini also has another strong year of licensed MLB products on deck for 2023. Their flagship Donruss baseball set is expected to hit shelves in March/April, headlined by an exciting new design. Donruss has really upped their game in recent years to compete with Topps, so collectors can expect another high-end release. Panini also has exclusive rights to produce special subsets like Contenders Draft Picks, which provides a first look at the previous year’s draft class. Their Impeccable and Immaculate ultra-high-end releases will also be must-haves for those chasing 1/1 hits.
Bowman is sure to excite collectors again in 2023 with their annual Bowman Draft, Bowman Chrome, and Bowman’s Best releases. Bowman Draft in particular is a favorite of prospect hounds, as it gives an early glimpse of the cream of the amateur crop. Past years have seen major stars like Wander Franco featured as rookies in Bowman Draft. Bowman Chrome then polishes things up with its refractors, while Bowman’s Best delivers premium parallels and autographs later in the year. All three Bowman sets are must-owns for any collector with an eye on the future of the game.
While the big three brands will drive much of the early season hype, several smaller companies are also worth keeping an eye on. Leaf is coming off a strong 2022 that saw hits like Juan Soto 1/1 autos. Their 2023 offerings could provide another avenue for high-end parallels and memorabilia. Also, newer brands like Stadium Club and Allen & Ginter from Topps continue gaining steam by delivering creative designs and unique inserts at affordable price points. And Heritage Minors from Leaf gives a nostalgic look at prospects coming up.
For collectors looking to rip hobby boxes, the best approach is often to target releases early in the season before prices escalate. Topps Series 1 and Bowman Draft are usually among the most cost-effective per pack when first available. But demand is high, so pre-orders sell out quickly. Later flagship releases from Donruss and Chrome tend to carry higher per-pack prices. For extremely rare hits, high-end releases from brands like Panini and Leaf require deep pockets. But even modest hobby boxes of mainstream releases can provide a fun ripping experience and foundation for long-term player collections.
The 2023 baseball card season is primed to excite collectors with new designs, prospects to chase, and star rookies and veterans to add to collections. With the return of a full MLB schedule on deck after the shortened 2020 and lockout-impacted 2022 campaigns, the major brands will bring their best product to celebrate the game. For those who enjoy the thrill of the rip or hunt for the biggest rookie cards and autographs, 2023 offers a deep mix of mainstream and high-end hobby box options across many respected brands. With patience and discipline, savvy collectors can build their collections and find treasures across the wide landscape of this exciting hobby.
