The 2023 Panini Prizm Baseball set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year in the sports card hobby. Panini Prizm has become the premier modern baseball card brand known for its flashy refractors and parallels that attract collectors and investors. With the release of the new year’s set comes speculation about which rookie cards and star players will emerge as the most valuable long-term holdings. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top 2023 Panini Prizm Baseball cards that are likely to gain tremendous value over the coming years.
Perhaps the most sought-after card in the entire set is the Prizm Green Prizm Auto of superstar rookie catcher Adley Rutschman. Rutschman had a breakout season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2022 that has cemented him as a future MVP candidate. His prospect pedigree and early MLB success make his rookie card one of the safest long-term investments in the hobby. Look for 1/1 Prizm Green Prizm Auto Rutschman cards to fetch six figures shortly after release and steadily climb higher as his career progresses. Other low-numbered Rutschman autographs and parallels will gain tremendous value as well.
Another rookie who could rival Rutschman’s card prices is Cardinals shortstop Jordan Walker. The power-hitting prospect was one of the biggest storylines of the 2022 season and will start his MLB career with huge expectations. Walker’s best Prizm rookie cards, especially autographs and rare parallels, will be hot commodities for collectors. A 1/1 Prizm Green Prizm Auto Walker could realistically sell for $50,000+ right out of packs based on his hype and potential. Low-numbered refractors, color parallels, and on-card autographs of Walker will see big returns if he becomes the superstar many scouts project.
Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani remains one of the biggest stars in baseball and will be a major force driving interest and prices in 2023 Prizm. While his 2018 Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card prices have cooled off recently, Ohtani’s new Prizm rookie cards will be highly sought after. Look for Prizm parallels like the Purple Ice /25, Orange Ice /10, and especially the elusive Green Prizm 1/1s to command five-figure prices or more. Low-numbered Ohtani autographs will shatter records as well. His dual-threat talents as a pitcher and hitter make him a collector favorite who will retain value for decades.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez had a breakout rookie campaign in 2022 that saw him finish second in AL ROY voting. His performance has major league cards already appreciating in value, but 2023 Prizm will be when his true rookie cards are released. Like Rutschman and Walker, Julio Rod’s Prizm autographs and rare refractors seem destined to gain value quickly. A 1/1 Green Prizm Auto Rod could sell for $30,000+ based on his early success and star potential. His base Prizm rookie card will also be a hot commodity for set collectors and investors. Rodriguez looks poised for stardom and his cards will reflect that.
Two prized rookies from the 2022 draft class that could emerge as big hits in 2023 Prizm are Druw Jones and Elijah Green. Jones was the #2 overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks and may have the highest ceiling of any player in the draft. His father Andruw was a star, so collectors will flock to any Jones rookie cards they can find. Green went #3 to the Rangers and has tantalizing five-tool talents. Low-numbered Prizm refractors and autographs of these two could sell for five figures based purely on their draft pedigree before either plays a single pro game. Their long-term upside makes them solid speculative cards to acquire.
Beyond the rookies, 2023 Prizm will also feature many stars entering their prime like Ronald Acuña Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Wander Franco, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Acuña is coming off an injury but remains one of the most exciting players in baseball. His 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto RC has skyrocketed in value after injuries, so collectors will pay top dollar for his first true Prizm rookie cards. Tatis has had injury issues as well but is a generational talent – his rare Prizm refractors could challenge Rutschman and Ohtani for the most valuable cards in the set. Franco and Vladdy have All-Star potential for years and will attract serious collectors. Low-numbered Prizm parallels and autographs of these four studs will demand premium prices.
As with any release, there are always surprises that emerge as the most valuable 2023 Panini Prizm Baseball cards. Rookies like Oneil Cruz and Bobby Witt Jr. took off in 2022 and could see their Prizm rookie cards gain traction. Veterans like Mike Trout and Aaron Judge remain fan favorites who will drive interest. Parallel and autograph short-prints of stars both old and new will attract serious bidding. And unheralded prospects like Gunnar Henderson could explode onto the scene in 2023 and make their Prizm cards highly sought after overnight. With so much uncertainty and potential in each new release, 2023 Panini Prizm Baseball is sure to create many long-term collectible hits. For investors, focusing on the top rookies, stars, and short-prints offers the best chances of holding cards that appreciate tremendously in value. The hype and speculation are part of what makes each new Prizm set release one of the most anticipated yearly events in the baseball card world.
While no one can predict the future, 2023 Panini Prizm Baseball offers collectors a wide range of cards from rookies and stars that have the potential to become extremely valuable in the years to come. Rookies like Rutschman, Walker, Rodriguez and draft picks Jones and Green top many analysts’ lists of cards likely to gain the most long-term. But surprises happen each year, so it will be exciting to see which 2023 Prizm cards emerge as the true hits. With its flashy parallels, autographs, and star-studded rookie class, the release of this highly anticipated set is an annual showcase for the hobby.
