Topps Baseball released their highly anticipated 2023 Series 2 set in mid-August, continuing their flagship design from Series 1. With 286 base cards, parallels, autographs, and more, this set contains plenty of exciting rookies, veterans, and chase cards for collectors. Let’s take a look at some of the top cards from 2023 Topps Baseball Series 2.
One of the most prized rookie cards in the set is Houston Astros OF/DH Yordan Alvarez. The 25-year-old slugger has established himself as one of the premier power hitters in baseball, slugging 33 home runs in 2022 while batting .306. His base rookie card is in high demand, and parallel versions like the Refractor, Rainbow Foil, and Red version are highly sought after by Astros and Alvarez collectors. Another top Astros rookie is 3B/DH Alex Bregman. After missing much of 2022 due to injury, Bregman looks to rebound in 2023 and regain his All-Star form. His rookie card is a great card to hold long-term.
Two other rookies in high demand are Cardinals OF/1B Jordan Walker and Mariners SP George Kirby. Walker, considered one of the top prospects in baseball, had a strong debut in 2022 with 5 home runs in just 27 games. He has star potential and his base card could end up being a bargain. Meanwhile, Kirby dominated as a rookie in 2022, going 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 20 starts for Seattle. His control artist pitching style makes him an intriguing part of the Mariners’ young core.
Veteran cards that are gaining popularity include Reds 2B Jonathan India and Twins SS Carlos Correa. India captured Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 and looks to regain that form next season in Cincinnati. Correa signed a massive deal with Minnesota last offseason and batted .291 with 22 home runs in his debut campaign for the Twins – he could be an MVP candidate in 2023. Their rosters spots make their base cards good long term bets.
Two veterans who switched teams in 2023 and have increased card value are Yankees SP Luis Severino and Phillies SP Aaron Nola. After re-signing with New York, Severino will again form a formidable 1-2 punch with Gerrit Cole as the Yankees eye another playoff run. Nola, meanwhile, signed a $100 million extension to stay in Philadelphia, cementing him as the ace of a staff looking to win the NL East. With new uniform but proven track records, their cards stand out.
When it comes to numbered parallels, collectors are chasing the prized 1/1 Rainbow Foil parallel cards, which feature a single player on card stock with vivid color reflection. Some early standouts include Bo Bichette, Julio Rodriguez, Brendan Donovan, and Shane Bieber – all young stars on competitive teams. The low print runs make these extremely rare and valuable chase cards. Refractors (#’d to 99), Mint Condition (#’d to 15), and Red Foil (#’d to 5) parallels of top rookies like Oneil Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr, and Adley Rutschman are also some of the most sought after parallel cards to find.
Autograph cards remain a big focus for collectors. Top rookies to watch include Dodgers OF Andy Pages, Marlins P Max Meyer, and Rangers P Brock Porter, who all have impressive pedigrees. Veteran autos of Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor, Clayton Kershaw and more carry premium value as they remain cornerstones of their franchises. Rarest of all are the Prime Cuts auto patches, which feature swatches of worn jersey material on beautifully designed cards. Trout, Soto, and Acuna Jr patches never disappoint collectors chasing the highest end parallels.
Collectors search pack-to-pack for the elusive short print variations unique to Series 2. Players like Willson Contreras, Cristian Javier, and Ketel Marte sport alternate photo variations on their base cards at a much lower print run. The unexpected thrill of finding a SP variation makes these chase cards highly coveted in the hobby.
In summary, Topps Baseball 2023 Series 2 offers something for every type of collector. With top rookie cards, premium parallels and hits of stars old and new, this set provides action, investments and fun for sports card enthusiasts. Whether collecting for enjoyment or long term holds, Series 2 has cards that will appeal to those seeking the best the hobby has to offer this year. With exciting new players and storylines emerging each season, Topps Baseball remains the flagship brand of the industry.
