The 2023 baseball season is rapidly approaching, which means the arrival of the new baseball card releases from companies like Topps, Panini, and Leaf. Deciding which cards to target can be difficult with so many rookie stars and veterans to collect. Here are some of the top 2023 baseball cards that are worth getting your hands on based on the players and parallels included:
One of the most exciting rookie classes in years will see their first Topps baseball cards in 2023. Shortstop Julian Vasquez from the Cardinals and catcher Gabriel Martinez from the Red Sox are considered two of the top prospects in baseball right now and their rookies cards will be hot commodities. Keep an eye out for parallels and autographs of both players, as their values have plenty of upside as they progress through the minors.
Speaking of rookies, catcher Adley Rutschman from the Orioles had a breakout season and looks like a future star. His rookie debut in 2022 made those cards very expensive already, so the 2023 issues should still carry premium values. Following an impressive Cup of Coffee late in 2022, infielder Jackie Bradley Jr. will have his true rookie card issued after signing with the Red Sox, making that an interesting card to track.
On the veteran side, superstar Aaron Judge is the biggest name in baseball coming off his record-setting 62 home run season with the Yankees. His Topps Now cards from 2022 absolutely exploded in value and collectors will be hunting his base card and hit parallels in the upcoming releases. Star power and a potential monster contract make Judge’s 2023s a great card to pick up. Along with Judge, Mets pitcher Max Scherzer is also on an expiring deal and primed for one last run with a new team, giving his 2023s intrigue.
For teams expected to contend in 2023, cards from Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Freddie Freeman and New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor will hold interest as both look to rebound from down seasons on new long-term megadeals. Similarly, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber could pop big numbers playing half his games in CBP after signing a four-year deal, putting spotlight on his flagship card.
Parallels always add appeal to modern cards due to their scarcity. Topps Chrome and Finest parallels like the blue, orange and green refractors tend to carry substantial value bumps thanks to the vibrant colors and low print runs. Likewise, the Rainbow Foil parallels in Topps Transcendent hold major appeal for whales looking to complete prestigious rainbow sets. Autographs are king for super high-end collectors, with Topps Autograph parallels and National Treasures signed swatches providing incredible hits.
Perhaps most intriguing will be rookies who break out during their first full MLB season. Names like Indians outfielder George Valera, Marlins pitcher Eury Perez or Guardians infielder Brayan Rocchio could turn into stars overnight if they get hot, rocketing the values of their low-printed parallels and autographs before collectors even realize. Sleeper prospects are part of what makes the card collecting so exciting – you just never know when a no-name will emerge.
The 2023 baseball season provides a huge opportunity to acquire cards from some of the biggest names in the game like Judge and Freeman, but also cards from burgeoning rookie stars and veterans going to new teams that carry speculation. Watching the sport and getting a feel for early season overperformers will help identify values that could multiply over time. With the high-end market still so strong, this looks to be another exciting year for baseball card collectors!
