The 2023 Topps Chrome Baseball set was released on December 7th, 2022 and contained a wide variety of rookies, stars, and parallels that have collectors excited. As one of the flagship products in the hobby each year, Topps Chrome offers fans the chance to pull shiny refractors of their favorite players. With its retro design paying homage to the original 1987 set, 2023 Topps Chrome contained several cards that have already become highly sought after by collectors.
One of the biggest rookie cards in the set is Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners. The AL Rookie of the Year finished 2nd in MVP voting in 2022 and is considered a future superstar in the game. His base Topps Chrome rookie card is a hot commodity, with PSA 10 examples already selling for over $1000. Julio also has several valuable parallels like the Refractor, Pink Refractor, and Gold Refractor that command premium prices. Any Julio RC from 2023 Chrome is a great long term hold.
Another standout rookie is Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena. As the MVP of the 2022 World Series in his first full MLB season, Pena’s star has risen tremendously. His Topps Chrome base rookie is in high demand, with the Refractor parallel being the true short print of the set. Pena looks poised for stardom playing for a perennial contender, making his rookie cards perfect for any Astros PC or investment portfolio.
Two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels is always one of the most sought after players in the hobby. His base Topps Chrome card is plentiful but still holds value as a current superstar. The true chase parallels for Shohei collectors are the Refractor, Pink Refractor, and Gold Refractor, with the 1/1 Gold being the ultimate Ohtani card from the set. Any parallel of the 2021 AL MVP is worth adding to a collection.
Rookies aren’t the only stars that shine in Topps Chrome. Two-time NL MVP Freddie Freeman returned to the Atlanta Braves in 2023 after winning a World Series with the Dodgers. His base Topps Chrome card jumped in value after the homecoming to Atlanta. The Refractor parallel is the standout Freeman from the set to hunt. Another Dodgers star, Mookie Betts, has always been a fan favorite for his 5 tool skillset. His Refractor is the Betts card to own long term.
Topps Chrome also featured several popular young stars that are cornerstones of their franchises. Cardinals catcher and 2019 NL Rookie of the Year Dylan Carlson, Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm, and Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. all had desirable base cards and Refractor parallels. For Rangers and Cubs fans, top prospects Jack Leiter and Christopher Morel had their rookie debuts featured prominently in the set as future building blocks.
Veteran superstars also had their place in 2023 Topps Chrome. Mike Trout remains the consensus best player in baseball and his Refractor parallel is a must-have for Angels PC collectors. Fellow AL West stars Shohei Ohtani and Yordan Alvarez also had their shining Refractors included. For Dodgers fans, the Refractors of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Trea Turner make a great 1-2-3 punch. Yankees fans sought after the Aaron Judge Refractor as the reigning AL MVP.
Parallels are what make Topps Chrome such an exciting modern release each year. The Flagship Red parallel /150 was highly sought after for stars and rookies alike. Lower numbered parallels like the Gold /10, Gold Wave /5, and the ultra rare 1/1 Gold Refractor provided a true chase. Colorful parallels like Pink /175 and Orange /250 added to the rainbow collecting aspect that Chrome encourages. Autograph and memorabilia cards sprinkled throughout packs gave collectors a chance at game used relics and signatures of their PC players.
The 2023 Topps Chrome Baseball set delivered many stars, rookies, and parallels that will hold value for years to come. Rookie sensations like Julio Rodriguez and Jeremy Pena anchor the young star power of the release. Veterans like Trout, Betts and Freeman showcase the present superstars. Lower numbered parallels and short prints provide the true high-end hits. As one of the premier modern issues, 2023 Topps Chrome Baseball offered something for every type of collector and will be a set remembered as a milestone for the next generation of baseball cards. Its retro design and shiny refractors make it a flagship product that livens up any collection.
