The 2023 baseball season is well underway and the hobby of collecting baseball cards is as popular as ever. With new sets being released all year long by the major card companies like Topps, Panini, and Leaf, deciding which cards to invest in can seem overwhelming. By focusing on top rookie cards, star players, and parallels of big names, collectors can identify cards with the best chance to appreciate in value long-term. Here are some of the top baseball cards to consider adding to your portfolio in 2023:
Julio Rodriguez Topps Chrome Refractor RC (2022 Topps Chrome) – As one of the favorites for AL Rookie of the Year, Julio Rodriguez has had an incredible debut season for the Seattle Mariners. His Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card is the true short print version to own and has already seen huge gains since the start of his rookie campaign. Refractors are always hot commodities and Rodriguez looks poised for stardom. This card should continue climbing throughout his career.
Sandy Alcantara Topps Finest Auto RC (2013 Topps Finest) – The current NL Cy Young favorite, Alcantara has emerged as the ace of the Miami Marlins. His rookie auto from 2013 Finest is extremely scarce and carries a premium now that he’s a top-tier starter. Alcantara is still only 26 so he has many great seasons ahead of him. This is a card from a high-end set that could multiply in value as his career progresses.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Topps Chrome Sapphire Refractor RC (2018 Topps Chrome) – Despite missing most of 2022 due to injury, Acuna remains one of baseball’s brightest young stars when healthy. His sapphire refractor rookie from 2018 Chrome is one of the most visually stunning cards on the market. With Acuna expected to return to MVP-caliber play next season, this card will retain its luster as a true short print gem from one of the game’s top talents.
Juan Soto Topps Finest Negative Auto RC (2015 Topps Finest) – At just 24, Soto has already put together a Hall of Fame worthy resume. His rookie auto from 2015 Finest holds cache due to the negative printing and scarcity in a premier set. Soto signed a massive long-term deal with the Padres, cementing him as a franchise cornerstone for years to come. This is a true trophy card from one of the game’s best young hitters.
Wander Franco Topps Chrome Sapphire Refractor RC (2021 Topps Chrome) – The Rays phenom made a huge impact as a 20-year-old and looks like a perennial All-Star. His sapphire refractor rookie from 2021 Chrome is one of the most visually stunning cards on the market. Franco seems poised for superstardom which will only drive more demand for this true short print rookie card from one of baseball’s brightest young talents.
Mike Trout Topps Update RC (2012 Topps Update) – As arguably the best player of his generation, Trout’s rookie cards hold immense value. While his true rookies from 2009 are extremely rare, his 2012 Update RC in PSA 10 gem mint sells for well over $10,000. Trout is still in his prime and should continue putting up MVP numbers. This card remains a sound investment given his unparalleled on-field production and status as one of the faces of MLB.
Shohei Ohtani Topps Chrome Sapphire Refractor RC (2018 Topps Chrome) – The two-way Japanese phenom continues to amaze on the mound and at the plate. His sapphire refractor rookie from 2018 Chrome is one of the most visually stunning cards on the market from one of the game’s truly unique stars. Ohtani is still just 28 and should have many great seasons ahead. This rare short print RC will retain strong demand as his unique talents help grow the game’s popularity worldwide.
Rookie Auto Parallels of Top Prospects – While it’s impossible to predict prospects’ success, cards of the highest rated players signed to Topps, Panini, or Leaf always carry value. Focus on short print auto parallels of the top prospects expected to debut in 2023 like Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson, and Jackson Holliday. If they pan out, these cards stand to appreciate greatly. Even if they don’t, the autos still hold value from a collector standpoint.
Star Player Refractors, Sapphires, Prisms – Short print refractors, sapphires, and prisms from the rookie cards of established stars like Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto, Mike Trout, and Fernando Tatis Jr. are always in high demand. These parallel cards pop visually and represent the rarest versions of some of the game’s most iconic talents. As long as the players sustain success, demand for these one-of-one type cards will remain strong.
Vintage Stars – Iconic cards from the 1960s-1980s of legends like Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Nolan Ryan continue gaining value as these players age into retirement. High-grade examples can be expensive but offer stability since the supply is finite and nostalgia keeps interest high. Even mid-grade vintage stars hold long-term potential as the hobby expands globally with younger collectors.
Top Rookie Patch Cards – Ultra-short print patch autographs of the game’s top prospects like Druw Jones or Jackson Holliday carry immense risk but offer huge upside. If the player emerges as a star, these 1/1 cards could become true trophies worth tens of thousands. It’s best to focus on the top talents and only invest what you can afford to lose on prospects who may or may not pan out.
Numbered Parallels of Current Stars – Parallel cards numbered to cases, boxes or packs of current All-Stars and franchise players like Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, Fernando Tatis Jr. and others hold value since so few exist. These rare numbered parallels tend to appreciate as the players sustain success at the MLB level. They represent the most limited versions of cards from proven commodities.
By focusing on the rookies of budding stars, short print refractors and parallels of proven talents, and vintage legends, collectors can identify 2023 baseball cards with the strongest chance to appreciate in value long-term. Diversifying among these categories allows for upside regardless of any single player’s career trajectory. With new releases each month, the hobby offers many investing opportunities for those willing to do research and hold cards long-term.
