The 2013 Topps Baseball card set featured many promising rookie cards that baseball card collectors were excited about. The 2013 rookie class had several players who went on to have great MLB careers. Some of the top rookies featured in the 2013 Topps set included Wil Myers, Jose Fernandez, Manny Machado, and Shelby Miller. This article will provide an in-depth look at some of the top rookies from the 2013 Topps Baseball card set.
One of the most highly sought after rookie cards from the 2013 Topps set was Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Wil Myers. Myers was considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball heading into the 2013 season. He was called up to the majors in June 2013 and immediately made an impact. Myers hit 13 home runs and posted an .838 OPS in just 53 games in his rookie season. His impressive debut made his 2013 Topps rookie card one of the hottest cards on the secondary market. The Myers rookie featured a clean photo of him in a Rays uniform and became a must-have for collectors. Many predicted a Hall of Fame caliber career for Myers based on his early success and that increased demand for his rookie card.
Another rookie who made a huge splash in 2013 was Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez. Fernandez had a dominant rookie season, going 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 28 starts. He finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting and fourth in Cy Young voting as well. The Fernandez rookie card in 2013 Topps captured him mid-delivery with an intense look on his face. Like the Myers rookie, the Fernandez was highly sought after by collectors. Tragically, Fernandez passed away in a boating accident in 2017 at the young age of 24, making his rookie card that much more valuable in the years since as a remembrance of his incredible talent and potential.
The Baltimore Orioles also had an exciting rookie in 2013 in third baseman Manny Machado. Machado made his MLB debut at just 20 years old in August 2012 but was still eligible for rookie status in 2013 Topps. The O’s were coming off a playoff season and had high hopes Machado could lock down third base for years to come. He didn’t disappoint in his first full season in 2013, hitting .283 with 14 home runs and 71 RBI while playing stellar defense. Machado’s smooth left-handed swing was captured perfectly in his 2013 Topps rookie card, which became a must-have for Orioles fans and collectors alike. Machado went on to have an All-Star career in Baltimore before signing a massive free agent deal with the San Diego Padres in 2022, making his rookie card an even better long term investment.
Another impact rookie pitcher in 2013 was St. Louis Cardinals righty Shelby Miller. Miller broke out with a 15-9 record and a 3.06 ERA in his first full season, finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year voting. His 2013 Topps rookie card showed Miller mid-windup with an intense stare. Miller continued to have success over his first few MLB seasons before his career was derailed by injuries. Still, his rookie card remained a popular one for Cardinals collectors given his early success and importance to the franchise. While Miller was ultimately not able to sustain his early success long term, his rookie card provided a affordable way for fans to remember his promising debut season.
In addition to the big name rookies highlighted above, the 2013 Topps set also included first Bowman Cards and rookie cards of players like Yasiel Puig, Michael Wacha, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Tony Cingrani, Nolan Arenado, and Matt Adams that have gone on to have solid MLB careers. The depth of rookies in the 2013 class made it an exciting year for the hobby. Many of these rookie cards from the 2013 Topps set have increased significantly in value in the secondary market in recent years as these players performances have matched or exceeded early expectations. The 2013 rookie class will likely be remembered as one of the best of the modern era and their inclusion in the 2013 Topps set makes it a highly collectible release for baseball card enthusiasts.
The 2013 Topps Baseball card set featured some truly elite rookies like Wil Myers, Jose Fernandez and Manny Machado that made immediate impacts in their debut seasons. Others like Shelby Miller and Nolan Arenado showed early promise of long careers ahead of them. The depth of talent and production from the rookies in 2013 created a unique collector demand for these rookie cards that remains strong to this day. While injuries and fluctuations in performance happened for some, these rookies made the 2013 Topps set one of the most exciting releases in recent memory and their cards remain a great investment area for collectors nearly a decade later.
