The 2023 MLB baseball card season is shaping up to be another exciting year, as some of the game’s biggest stars from the 2022 season are primed for big cardboard releases. Baseball cards remain one of the most collectible sports memorabilia available, chronicling both individual player accomplishments as well as the shared history of Major League Baseball.
Unsurprisingly, Aaron Judge’s record-setting 2022 campaign with the New York Yankees has made him one of the most sought-after players for collectors next year. After smashing the American League single-season home run record with 62 long balls, Judge is almost certain to appear on baseball cards from the major manufacturers like Topps, Panini, and Leaf. Photogenic rookie cards of Judge from earlier in his career have already increased exponentially in value, so collectors can expect huge demand and rising prices for any 2023 card that captures his historic 162-game domination at the plate.
Along with Judge, Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani remains one of the faces of MLB. As the first full-time home run-hitting pitcher since Babe Ruth, Ohtani continues living up to unprecedented hype with his on-field play. He won’t have the campaign Judge did in 2022, but any Ohtani card is still a prize for collectors given his unique dual talents and status as one of baseball’s best all-around players. Both Topps and Panini should continue showcasing Ohtani prominently after making him a fixture in their 2022 sets.
Rookies are always a big driver of baseball card interest as well. Seattle Mariners centerfielder Julio Rodriguez had a breakout debut season that culminated in him winning the AL Rookie of the Year award. His first Topps traded and flagship cards from 2022 sold out fast, and collectors will be on high alert for any of his 2023 releases documenting his stellar rookie campaign. Likewise, Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting after batting .297 with 19 home runs – making him another exciting young player to follow on cardboard.
Postseason heroes like Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper and Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander are also sure to receive prominent card placements. Harper led the Phillies to their first World Series title since 2008, while Verlander added to his legend by winning another ring and World Series MVP honors at age 39. Both have long been stars beloved by collectors, and strong performances when it mattered most in October will only heighten demand.
Of course, superstar veterans like Mike Trout also remain must-have cards regardless of how their teams perform. Though injury limited Trout to just 36 games in 2022, he still owns a .990 career OPS and status as the greatest overall player of his generation when healthy. Trout’s rare game-used memorabilia cards constantly set new records in secondary market sales. The same goes for fellow generation-spanning talents like Mookie Betts of the Dodgers, who just signed a massive contract extension to stay in Los Angeles through the 2027 season.
International stars like San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. could bounce back strongly on the cardboard front if able to avoid injuries in 2023. Tatis missed the entirety of this past season recovering from a broken wrist but remains one of the most watchable and exciting young players when on the field. His earliest Topps Chrome and paper rookies hold immense collector value already. Similarly, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a budding superstar entering his age 24 season still seeking his first playoff appearance. Any big campaigns would serve to boost both him and his team while expanding his already dedicated fanbase.
Minor league prospects and draft picks primed for their MLB debuts are part of the intrigue too. Top prospects like the Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris II were 2022 rookies, but names like the Baltimore Orioles’ Adley Rutschman, the Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez, and the Tampa Bay Rays’ Josh Jung all still have their true first Topps cards yet to come. Evaluating future stars starting at the minor league level is part of what drives obsession over baseball cards year after year.
In an age of rising collector interest across all sports, the stars of Major League Baseball will undoubtedly shine on 2023 cardboard releases. Thanks to breakout campaigns, postseason heroics, prospect hype, and beloved veterans, the lineup of coveted players is as deep and exciting as ever. For baseball fans and memorabilia collectors alike, the cards that arrive over the coming calendar year are sure to document another iconic period in the game’s rich history.
