The release of 2023 Topps Series 1 baseball cards brought plenty of excitement from collectors hoping to pull valuable rookie cards and stars of the game. As with every new Series 1 release, there is anticipation around which cards will emerge as the most coveted and hold strong value in the long run. While it’s still early, here are some candidates that seem primed to be among the most valuable 2023 Topps Series 1 cards based on player performance and popularity so far:
Julio Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners – At just 21 years old, Rodríguez had a phenomenal rookie season that has cemented him as a budding superstar. His stats of 28 home runs, 75 RBI and 25 stolen bases while batting .274 made him the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year. His athleticism, five-tool talent and marketability in Seattle have collectors high on his cards, including the coveted Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor parallel. Look for any of his rookies, but especially the prized refractors, to gain steady value as his career progresses.
Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals – Like Rodríguez, Witt had a fantastic rookie campaign that has placed him among the elite young shortstops in baseball. He slashed .256/.308/.428 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI and 30 stolen bases. Witt has All-Star potential and is the centerpiece of the Royals’ rebuild, making his Topps rookies a lock to appreciate over the long run. The Chrome and paper rookies will be hot, but his 1-of-1 Topps Fire auto could emerge as one of the set’s true gems.
Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves – Strider exploded onto the scene in 2022 with a 2.67 ERA over 31 starts and 202 strikeouts in 131.2 innings as a rookie. The flame-throwing righty has cemented his place in the Braves’ rotation and will be an impact arm for years to come. His Topps Chrome rookie refractor parallel and autograph cards in particular hold immense long-term value potential as a star pitcher on a perennial contender.
Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates – At 6-foot-7 with incredible raw power, Cruz turned heads by hitting .233 with 15 home runs in just 57 games as a rookie. He has all the tools to be a perennial All-Star and could be the cornerstone player to lead the Pirates back to relevance. Any of his Topps rookies, especially prized parallels and autographs, are worth holding long-term as his career takes off.
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles – After a strong debut late in 2022 that saw him hit .254 with 5 home runs in 35 games, Rutschman looks poised for a breakout as the Orioles’ centerpiece catcher. He has drawn comparisons to Buster Posey and could be the catalyst for Baltimore’s rebuild. His Topps rookie cards, especially the prized refractors, carry immense long-term value potential as a franchise cornerstone.
Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves – Harris had a phenomenal rookie season, batting .297 with 19 home runs, 64 RBI and 20 stolen bases while playing stellar defense in center field. He is a big part of the Braves’ young core and his 5-tool ability makes him a star in the making. His Topps Chrome rookie refractor parallel in particular holds strong long-term value potential.
Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners – Acquired from Cincinnati at the trade deadline, Castillo went 4-2 with a 2.83 ERA in 11 starts down the stretch for Seattle to help lead them to the postseason. At 29, he is in his prime and under team control through 2023. Now pitching for a perennial contender, Castillo’s Topps cards from 2023 carry great near-term value as he tries to lead the Mariners on a deep playoff run.
Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins – At 26, Alcantara has emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball, going 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 2022. He finished second in the NL Cy Young voting and will continue to anchor Miami’s rotation. His Topps cards are primed to gain steady value as he cements his place among the game’s elite starters.
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees – After breaking the AL home run record with 62 bombs in 2022, Judge is already a living legend in pinstripes at age 30. He turned down a massive extension offer and will command huge money on the open market. His Topps cards, especially any rare parallels or autographs from 2023, hold immense value as perhaps the last collection of cards from his Yankee tenure.
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals – Pujols signed a one-year deal to finish his career back in St. Louis, where he began it. At 42, he remains a fan favorite and had a sentimental late season return that included hitting his 700th career home run. Any Pujols cards from 2023 carry strong collector value as his true “farewell” season cards before retirement.
Of course, there are always surprise rookies or veterans who break out to increase the value of their 2023 Topps cards throughout the year and beyond. Injuries or trades could also impact certain players’ values. But based on their impressive 2022 campaigns and long-term potential, the above names from 2023 Topps Series 1 seem poised to emerge as the most valuable cards to collectors over the next several years. With baseball’s rising popularity among investors and collectors alike, stay tuned to see which 2023 rookies and stars ascend to the top of the hobby in value.
