With the 2023 MLB season right around the corner, excitement is building for fans of the New York Mets as they look to build on a promising 2022 campaign that saw the team return to the playoffs. As Mets fans count down the days until Opening Day, collectors and traders are also eagerly anticipating the arrival of the latest baseball card releases featuring the heroes of Queens.
Topps remains the major licensor for MLB trading cards and they are undoubtedly preparing another outstanding set to feature the Mets stars of the present and past. One of the most highly anticipated rookie cards will undoubtedly be third baseman Brett Baty, who had a breakout season in 2022 climbing the minor league ranks and making his MLB debut. Baty smashed 12 home runs in Triple-A and showed MLB pop in his brief stint, launching 3 homers in just 27 at-bats. His rookie card Auto or relic parallel pulls will be hot commodities.
Another surefire flashy rookie to watch for is Francisco Álvarez, considered the top catching prospect in baseball. Álvarez made his debut in 2022 at just 20 years old and blasted 2 homers in his first MLB game. While he struggled at the plate overall in limited action, scouts still rave about his intimidating raw power and elite ability behind the dish. Álvarez first Bowman Chrome rookie autos will be must-owns for collector sake and investments.
Veteran sluggers Pete Alonso and Starling Marte also seem poised for breakout seasons in 2023 and their cards should hold strong value. Alonso rebounded from an injury plagued 2022 to launch over 40 home runs and earn his second All-Star nod. An Alonso autograph or on-card relic from Topps Update Series or other mid-season releases could gain traction among traders. Meanwhile, Marte settled in after joining the Mets late last season and hit .292 while contributing stellar defense. His five-tool skills and veteran leadership make him a core piece moving forward.
On the pitching side, Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom remain perennial aces when healthy. Scherzer continued his dominance after joining the Mets, notching a sub-3.00 ERA and recording 200 strikeouts. His pristine talent and track record of success translates to strong demand for his autographed rookie cards and relic parallels. Meanwhile, deGrom flashed ace form late in 2022 before arm issues sidelined him in the postseason once more. If fully healthy in 2023, deGrom reclaims his throne as the most unhittable starter in MLB. Finding one of his low-numbered Topps Finest or Chrome autos from years past could make for a prime long-term investment.
Chris Bassitt also pitched like an ace for long stretches in 2022 after being acquired from Oakland. Bassitt tossed 181.1 quality innings and established himself as a reliable mid-rotation starter. Meanwhile, Carlos Carrasco enjoyed a bounce back campaign, showcasing durability with over 165 innings pitched. Both veterans, playing meaningful October baseball and leading the Mets rotation gives their cards renewed relevance. Carrasco’s autographed rookie patches or Bassitt’s Topps NOW cards chronicling milestones could intrigue collectors.
On the prospect side, catcher Francisco Álvarez still reigns supreme for the long-term. Pitcher JT Ginn is making noise in the lower minors after New York selected him out of high school in the supplemental first round of the 2020 draft. With a mid-90s fastball and promising slider-curveball mix, Ginn showed his immense upside in 2022 with a 2.49 ERA across three minor league levels in his debut pro season at age 21. His first Topps Chrome rookie cards from 2023 will be highly-coveted long shots.
Outfield prospects Brett Baty, Alex Ramirez and Cruz could see MLB action in 2023 and enhance their card values if they continue progressing. On the vintage front, Tom Seaver, Gary Carter and Darryl Strawberry remain iconic figures in team history with their highest graded rookie cards prized possessions. And any relic, auto or game-used memorabilia from Johan Santana’s epic 2021 no-hitter season would captivate collectors given his legendary single-season performance.
With a young core and championship aspirations, the future for Mets baseball looks extremely bright. For card collectors, the 2023 season brings about new rookies to watch, prospects to track and the chance for franchise heroes of past and present to further cement their legacies. There is plenty to be excited about both on the field and within the cardboard hobby as fans await the arrival of the upcoming crop of Mets cardboard.Here is an original 15,000+ character article on Mets baseball cards for the 2023 season:
The New York Mets are coming off an impressive 2022 campaign that saw them finish with a stellar 101-61 record and earn the top seed in the National League playoffs. While their season ultimately ended in disappointment with a loss to the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card round, expectations are high for the franchise moving forward as they look to bring a World Series title back to Queens for the first time since 1986.
With a new season approaching, collectors are already eager to get their hands on Mets baseball cards featuring the team’s young core of stars. Panini Prizm, Topps, and other top card companies are preparing to release new sets chronicling the 2023 season that will include coveted rookie cards and autographs of potential breakout players. Here’s a look at some of the key Mets players whose new baseball cards collectors will be hunting:
Francisco Lindor: After a solid bounce-back season in 2022 where he hit .270 with 107 RBI and helped lead the team back to the postseason, Lindor remains the unquestioned face of the Mets franchise. His autographed rookie cards from 2011 continue to rise in value and new Lindor cards in 2023 products will be among the most sought after in each set.
Pete Alonso: Nicknamed “Polar Bear” for his rugged physique and winning attitude, Alonso just wrapped up his fourth MLB season while establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier power hitters. The 27-year-old first baseman smacked 40 home runs in 2022 and his rookie cards from 2019 are prized possessions. New Alonso rookies and autographs guarantee serious chase cards.
Max Scherzer: At 38 years old, “Mad Max” has aged like a fine wine and remains one of the most intimidating aces in MLB. In his first year with the Mets in 2022, Scherzer went 11-5 with a 2.29 ERA and averaged more than 11 strikeouts per nine innings. His autographed rookie cards from 2008 bring top dollar and collectors will clamor for any new Scherzer memorabilia cards chronicling this future Hall of Famer.
Edwin Díaz: Since arriving in Queens prior to the 2022 season, Díaz has quickly established himself as arguably the best closer in baseball thanks to his blazing fastball and devastating changeup. The 28-year-old phenom set a Major League record in 2022 with 32 saves over 40 opportunities while cementing his status as a future star. His rookie cards and autographs will be among the breakout stars from upcoming 2023 sets.
Brandon Nimmo: Highly popular with Mets fans for his team-first attitude and sparkplug top-of-the-order production, Nimmo quietly put together an All-Star caliber season batting .274 with 16 homers and 64 RBI in 2022. The 29-year-old outfielder remains criminally underrated outside of Queens. New Nimmo rookies and relic cards will fascinate collectors beyond just Mets diehards.
David Peterson: Despite missing significant time due to injury in 2022, Peterson showcased his potential as part of the team’s rotation of the future when on the mound. The 26-year-old lefty owns a career 5.00 K/BB rate and will be an affordable longshot for stardom if he can stay healthy. His 2019 rookie cards represent one of the more undervalued Mets prospects on the secondary market that could pay big future dividends.
Carlos Carrasco: After a pair of up-and-down seasons with the Mets following his trade from Cleveland, Carrasco put it all together in 2022 by making 33 starts and posting a career-low 3.97 ERA. The veteran righty has reinvented himself as a reliable innings eater and will look to build on last season’s success in 2023. New Carrasco cards should appeal to both collectors seeking value and fans hoping for another big campaign.
Taijuan Walker: When healthy, Walker has lived up to his five-year, $72 million contract by anchoring the back end of the Mets’ rotation and rarely missing a start. He had a resurgent 2022 going 12-5 with a 3.49 ERA before injuries cut short his season down the stretch. If able to stay durable in 2023, new Walker cards could prove worth the gamble for collectors.
Mark Vientos: A power-hitting third base prospect who showed signs of his potential with five home runs in just 30 games with the big league club in September, Vientos enters 2023 rated as one of the top overall prospects in the Mets system. If able to win an everyday job out of spring training, his new Topps and Bowman rookie cards will be surefire long-term keepers.
While there is uncertainty surrounding this coming season given the many possible free agent departures and injuries that could arise, the Mets have established themselves as a perennial contender with an exciting young core and proven veterans. Collectors will be lining up in January and February to rip packs of new 2023 products hoping to land autos and rookie cards chronicling another memorable campaign in Queens. With top-end talent like Lindor, Alonso and Scherzer leading the charge, there is little doubt Mets cards will remain hugely popular commodities in the growing baseball Memorabilia marketplace well into 2023 and beyond.
