Baseball cards are always highly anticipated each year by collectors looking to see who the top rookies will be and get cards of star players on their new teams. The 2023 baseball card season looks to be another exciting year after some major player movement in the offseason. Here’s a closer look at some of the top stories collectors can expect to follow with the newest baseball cards to hit the hobby.
Juan Soto’s Move to the Padres Generates Buzz
One of the biggest storylines heading into the 2023 season was Juan Soto being traded from the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres. At just 24 years old, Soto is already considered one of the best pure hitters in baseball and in the midst of a long and highly successful career. His arrival in San Diego makes the Padres an instant World Series contender and generates plenty of excitement for collectors. Soto’s rookie cards increased in value after the trade and his first cards in a Padres uniform will be some of the most sought after new releases. Having a core of young stars like Soto, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. make the Padres one of the premier franchises in baseball collecting right now.
Rookie Class Headlined by Julio Rodriguez
While Soto creates buzz on the established star front, the 2023 rookie class is led by Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez. In just his first full season in 2022, Rodriguez finished fourth in AL ROY voting while displaying five-tool talents. His power, speed and defensive abilities have cemented him as a future superstar. Rodriguez’s rookie cards skyrocketed in value in 2023 and any certified autographs or memorabilia from the rookie crop will be at the top of want lists. Other hot rookies to watch include Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Xavier Edward and Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II, who both had strong debuts in 2022 and their cards could emerge as the hottest of the class.
Aaron Judge’s Free Agency Shakes Things Up
One of the biggest free agents was American League single season home run record holder Aaron Judge coming off his historic 62 home run campaign with the New York Yankees in 2022. Judge ultimately re-signed with the Yankees, but before that outcome, the possibility of him signing elsewhere shook up the baseball card market. Had Judge signed with another team, that franchise would have seen an immediate surge in interest and the value of any Judge cards in their uniform would have spiked. His continued tenure with the Yankees keeps one of the hobby’s premier stars anchored to one of its flagship franchises long-term.
Vlad Jr. and Ohtani Cements their Star Power
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels cemented themselves as two of the best and most dominant players in baseball with their 2022 seasons. Guerrero Jr. put himself in MVP conversations with another outstanding offensive year, while Ohtani did what he’s proven to consistently do by excelling both at the plate and on the mound. Their established star power makes any current or new cards highly desirable and they continue increasing the value of their growing autographed memorabilia portfolios in the hobby. Both international superstars play for franchises with huge fanbases, ensuring their cards remain hot commodities in the baseball collecting world for years to come.
Other Notable Stories to Follow
Trea Turner signs with Phillies, giving them a new star shortstop alongside Bryce Harper.
Carlos Correa goes to Twins, providing Minnesota a centerpiece of their rebuilding effort.
Xander Bogaerts bolted Boston for San Diego, reuniting with previous Red Sox teammate Eovaldi.
New stars like Bobby Witt Jr. in Kansas City and Riley Greene in Detroit get set for their first full MLB seasons.
Rookies like Oneil Cruz, Spencer Torkelson and Adley Rutschman look to build on strong debuts and Rising star potential.
Those are just a handful of the many major storylines that hobbyists will track through players’ new 2023 baseball cards. With an exciting new season on the horizon featuring elite rookies and shifted all-star veteran rosters, there figures to be no shortage of interest and speculation around what each year’s crop of cardboard can bring to the collecting community. It should make for another fantastic year in the world of baseball memorabilia.
