The release of new baseball card sets is an annual event highly anticipated by collectors every year. Even though the 2023 MLB season is still months away, card manufacturers are already working hard behind the scenes to design, produce and distribute the upcoming year’s crop of new baseball cards. Based on historical release patterns and information from the major card companies, here is a breakdown of when the major 2023 baseball card releases can be expected:
Topps is generally the first company to release flagship baseball cards each year, with their main set usually dropping in late January or early February. For 2023, current projections have Topps releasing their flagship Series 1 cards some time in early-to-mid February. This timing allows them to include any big name free agents or trades that may occur in the MLB offseason. Series 1 will feature base rookie and star player cards along with various inserts. Throughout February and March, Topps will then release subsequent Series 2 and Series Update sets on a periodic basis to incorporate stat and roster updates from spring training and the early season.
Panini tends to follow Topps closely with their main Donruss and Contenders releases in February and March as well. Their timing for 2023 flagship products like Donruss Baseball and Contenders Baseball is pegged for late February through March. As with Topps, Panini uses the Series format and plans staggered releases to continually freshen up rosters. Additional Panini sets like Diamond Kings, Impeccable and Clear Cut which feature highly coveted parallels and memorabilia cards typically come out in March through May.
Further into April and May, expect releases from other notable brands like Leaf, Bowman and Franchise Football. Leaf usually launches their annual Metal Universe and/or Leaf Greatest of All Time tribute sets in April. Bowman is renowned for their extensive lineup of highly sought after prospects, and their flagship Bowman’s Best, Bowman Draft and Bowman Chrome releases tend to hit the market from late April into June after the draft. Franchise Football shifts over to baseball for their Franchise All-Stars set in May, which compiles top performers from the previous season into memorabilia card formats.
Upper Deck is a company that waits a little later in the year for their baseball releases compared to other manufacturers. With fewer overall sets compared to in the past, Upper Deck typically unveils their flagship products like Upper Deck Series 1 and Upper Deck SP Authentic starting in June going into July/August. These capture the heart of the regular season and all-star festivities, as well as mid-season player movement from trades. Updates like SPx and Timeline can be expected in late summer also from Upper Deck.
Towards the end of the season from August into October, expect hobby retailers to start seeing the first 2023 release boxes from smaller independent labels as they ramp up production. Brands like Gold Label Memorabilia, In The Game, Just Commons and Clubhouse Collection have carved out niches crafting unique parallel and patch sets focused on stars, rookies or specific teams. With lesser print runs, these later releases often cater to collectors seeking certain short-printed autographs or memorabilia relics of their favorite players as autumn baseball winds down.
While things can shift month-to-month based on unforeseen circumstances, the typical window for major 2023 baseball card releases spans from February at the earliest through October at the latest. Kickoff flagships from Topps, Panini and Leaf should start hitting the shelves in February and March ahead of Opening Day. Releases will then continue in steady waves through the summer from brands like Upper Deck, Bowman and Panini before smaller independent labels wrap things up towards playoff season. Collectors can look forward to a full calendar year’s worth of new cardboard from their favorite companies featuring the 2023 MLB stars and storylines as they unfold.
