The 2023 baseball season is right around the corner, which means the release of the upcoming year’s baseball cards is not far behind. As collectors look ahead to the new crop of cards hitting store shelves and hobby boxes, here are some of the top rookie cards, veteran stars, and unique inserts to keep an eye out for in 2023 sets.
One of the most anticipated rookie cards of the year will undoubtedly be Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Xavier Edwards. After a breakout 2022 season that saw him hit .299 with 18 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A, Edwards looks poised for a full-time role with the Rays in 2023. He has all the tools to be an impact player at the major league level for years to come. Edwards’ rookie cards from Topps, Panini, and other brands are sure to be in high demand.
Another rookie on everyone’s radar is Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene. After making his MLB debut in June of 2022, Greene impressed with a .250 batting average and 8 home runs in 70 games. He has five-tool potential and will be looking to build on his promising rookie campaign. Greene’s rookie cards, especially autographed and memorabilia cards, could appreciate significantly if he breaks out in 2023.
On the pitching side, fans will want to watch for cards of Tampa Bay Rays starter Shane Baz. The former top prospect made his MLB debut in 2022 after recovering from Tommy John surgery and looked dominant with a 1.69 ERA in 5 starts. If Baz can stay healthy and establish himself as the Rays’ ace, his rookie cards could be some of the best long-term investments in the class.
In terms of veteran stars, the return of Mike Trout to full health makes any of his 2023 cards worth pursuing. After playing just 36 games in 2022 due to injury, Trout will be highly motivated to reclaim his title as the game’s best player. His base rookie cards have already skyrocketed in value, so parallels, autographs, and memorabilia from the upcoming season stand to gain as well if Trout dominates once again.
Fellow Angel Shohei Ohtani is also must-have for any collector. After winning the AL MVP award in 2021 and continuing to excel as a two-way star in 2022, Ohtani has cemented himself as the face of baseball. His autographed and memorabilia cards could shatter records in the years to come as one of the most unique talents the sport has ever seen.
For Yankees fans, 2023 Aaron Judge cards will be at the top of many wish lists after his historic 62-home run season. Judge remains unsigned long-term in New York, so this could be collectors’ last chance to snag affordable cards of “the new Bambino” in pinstripes. Autographed Judge cards in particular are sure to gain value if he re-ups with the Bombers or signs elsewhere in free agency.
Bryce Harper also enters a contract year with the Phillies in 2023 after another All-Star campaign. The 2015 NL MVP has rebounded tremendously from injuries and will be battling to bring a World Series title to Philadelphia. Harper has long been one of the most popular stars in the game, so collectors would be wise to stock up on any 2023 parallels, autographs, or memorabilia featuring the face of the Phillies franchise.
On the rookie side, catcher Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles is another name to watch. After a strong debut in 2022 that saw him hit .254 with 7 home runs in just 46 games, Rutschman looks ready for a full breakout season as the future cornerstone of the O’s rebuild. His prospect pedigree and five-tool ability make any of his 2023 cards a solid long-term investment.
For baseball card inserts, Topps Project 70 continues to be one of the most coveted sets each year. Featuring unique parallels and retro designs, the inserts spotlight the game’s biggest stars. Pulling a 1/1 Project 70 card of a star like Ohtani or Judge would be the crown jewel of any collection. Similarly, Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome always deliver stunning refractors and parallels of top rookies and veterans that gain value over time.
Panini also delivers exciting rookie memorabilia and autograph cards through its Prizm, Flawless, and National Treasures releases. Hits like game-used memorabilia cards of hot prospects or on-card autographs of emerging stars can appreciate exponentially with strong major league performances. Additionally, Topps Finest and Allen & Ginter are fan favorites for their beautiful photo and design variations each year.
The 2023 baseball season offers no shortage of exciting rookies, veterans, and inserts to pursue for any collector. Staying on top of early season performances and player developments will be key to identifying cards that can gain long-term value. For those willing to do the research, 2023 has the potential to yield many future collection cornerstones still affordably priced today.
