The 2023 baseball season is right around the corner, which means new baseball card sets are starting to hit the shelves from all the major manufacturers. Putting together a complete set from the flagship releases is a fun hobby for both kids and adults alike. Each year brings updated rosters, rookie cards of the game’s future stars, and parallels/short prints that add to the excitement of the hunt. Let’s take a closer look at some of the major 2023 baseball card releases and what collectors can expect to find if trying to complete each set.
Topps Baseball (Hobby Box): As the longest running and most iconic brand in the industry, Topps’ standard baseball card release is always one of the most anticipated each year. The 2023 Topps base set contains a total of 132 cards, with the standard checklist including all 30 MLB teams along with manager, rookie, and award winner cards. Topps also includes several parallels and inserts in their hobby boxes that add to the challenge of completing the set. Rainbow foil, negative photo variations, and red/blue/gold parallels are some of the more common “hits” collectors can expect to find. Top rookies to watch for include Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Spencer Strider. The design has a classic Topps look featuring action shots on a white background.
Topps Chrome (Hobby Box): Topps’ refractor parallel release is a fan favorite each year. The 2023 Topps Chrome base set mirrors the 132 card checklist of the standard issue but all cards feature a shiny refracted photo. Topps Chrome packs also contain several short printed parallels like black, gold, and red that make completing the set very difficult without trades. The refracted photos give these cards a very premium look that is appealing to both collectors and investors. Topps Chrome is usually one of the scarcer products to find on shelves each year.
Bowman Baseball (Hobby Box): As the premiere rookie card release, Bowman is where fans get their first look at the next generation of MLB stars each year before they even play a professional game. The 2023 Bowman base set contains 300 cards focused entirely on prospects, draft picks, and international signings. Top prospects like Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson, and Elijah Green lead the way for this year’s class. Bowman also features several parallels and autograph/memorabilia cards that add value. The design has a very classic and clean look featuring headshots of the game’s future stars. Completing the large Bowman base set is a major challenge.
Topps Heritage (Hobby Box): Topps Heritage pays tribute to the classic designs of the 1950s/1960s. The 2023 release features a 144 card base set mimicking the look of the old tobacco era designs. While the checklist is similar to Topps’ standard issue, the true vintage-style design gives these cards a very nostalgic and premium feel. Topps Heritage also contains several parallels and short prints that increase the challenge of completing the set. The true-to-original designs are a big draw for collectors looking to add vintage flair to their collections.
Donruss Baseball (Hobby Box): Donruss returned to the baseball card scene in 2021 after a long hiatus. Their 2023 release features a 300 card base set with a very clean and simple design. While the set is larger than some other flagship releases, Donruss packs offer some of the best value as hits like parallels, autographs, and memorabilia cards are more common pulls. The brand has also done a great job highlighting top prospects in their release each year. Completing the large Donruss set is a major undertaking but offers a unique challenge compared to the other top brands.
Panini Prizm Baseball (Hobby Box): As one of the premiere “hobby-only” brands, Prizm packs a big rookie card punch each year in their baseball release. The 2023 Prizm base set contains a standard 132 cards but packs are loaded with short printed parallels and refractors of the game’s stars. Prizm is known for their “rainbow” parallels that come in several different color variations, making a full parallel set incredibly rare. Autograph and memorabilia cards are also more prevalent pulls compared to some other flagship releases. The modern refracted designs give Prizm a very premium feel that is appealing to high-end collectors.
While putting together a complete set from any of these major 2023 releases is no small task, it’s very rewarding for collectors to track down all the cards through the season. The thrill of the hunt and finding short printed parallels or rookie gems makes it an exciting hobby. With increased interest in the MLB and baseball cards over the past few years, products may be harder to find on shelves. But working the trading market is a big part of the fun as well. Whether it’s the classic designs of Topps, the vintage flair of Heritage, or the modern looks of Prizm – each flagship baseball card set offers a unique collecting challenge for 2023.
