Donruss is one of the most iconic brands in the baseball card industry and their 2023 offering is sure to excite collectors with another standout rookie class. While stars like Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr. have graced past Donruss sets, the 2023 edition will shine the spotlight on the next generation of future MLB greats.
Heading the rookie class for Donruss 2023 are shortstop Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates and outfielder Julio Rodríguez of the Seattle Mariners. Both Cruz and Rodríguez had breakout seasons in 2022 that have collectors and analysts buzzing about their long-term potential. Cruz brings elite power to the shortstop position at 6’7″ with a cannon for an arm. He clubbed 15 home runs in just 80 games as a 23 year old, showing off prodigious raw tools. Rodríguez meanwhile set the baseball world ablaze by slashing .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases at age 21, showcasing five-tool abilities that could make him a perennial All-Star. Their Donruss rookie cards are sure to be in high demand.
Another highly touted rookie duo featured in the Donruss set are catcher Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals. Rutschman was the top prospect in all of baseball and after a strong debut showed why with a .254 average and 7 home runs in just 50 games. His polish behind the plate and elite bat-to-ball skills have scouts drooling over his superstar potential. Witt Jr. meanwhile made headlines by reaching the majors by age 21 and didn’t disappoint, clubbing 20 home runs while playing stellar defense at a premium position. Both are future cornerstones of rebuilding franchises and collectors would be wise to stock up on their rookie cards early.
Beyond the headliners, the Donruss 2023 class offers several other rookies who made strong first impressions in 2022 and could develop into stars. Catcher Gabriel Moreno of the Toronto Blue Jays had a .324 average over 36 games in his debut and looks ready to seize the starting job in 2023. Pitchers like Braves’ sensation Spencer Strider, Marlins’ ace Edward Cabrera, and Rangers’ power arm Jack Leiter all showed electric stuff in their first tastes of the bigs and will be exciting to track going forward. Outfielders like Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs and Michael Harris II of the Braves had solid rookie campaigns and their cards could appreciate with continued success.
For collectors, the Donruss 2023 release will offer several product options to find the hottest new rookies. The base set checklist will include all the key first year players. Retail blasters and hangers provide an affordable entry point, while hobby boxes offer chase parallels and autographs of the top prospects. Multi-sport “Donruss Elite” will combine baseball with basketball and football hits. And for the true high-roller, “Donruss Elite Extra Edition” offers the creme de la creme with 1/1 memorabilia cards and color samples of the biggest stars. With such a deep rookie class headlined by future superstars, Donruss 2023 is primed to be one of the most exciting releases in recent memory.
While rookies generate the most buzz, veteran collectors know the true long-term gems are often found deeper in the set. Players like Adames, Arraez, and Grichuk had breakout seasons in 2022 and their Donruss base cards could appreciate significantly with continued success. Pitchers like Shane McClanahan, Sandy Alcantara, and Alek Manoah look poised for Cy Young caliber careers and their rookie cards from past Donruss sets could start to rival the legends. Even veterans like Trout, Judge and deGrom who continue to dominate provide affordable options for any collection.
With its classic design aesthetic and focus on the current season, Donruss remains the most authentic product on the market for chronicling MLB’s latest stars. The 2023 set is sure to ship with record production numbers to keep pace with skyrocketing hobby demand. But for discerning collectors, finding the next big rookie before the hype or snagging a future HOFer at an affordable price is still possible with some savvy hunting through retail. Whether chasing parallels, autographs or just building full base sets – Donruss 2023 has all the ingredients to be an instant classic and one of the most collected releases in recent memory. The rookie class and storylines have generated a palpable buzz that is sure to spill over from the card aisles to baseball diamonds for years to come.
