The 2023 baseball season is right around the corner, which means the release of the latest baseball card sets from the major manufacturers is not far behind. As in years past, eBay will no doubt see a surge of activity as collectors look to buy, sell, and trade the hottest new rookie cards and parallels from sets like Topps, Bowman, Panini, and more.
While the official release dates have yet to be announced, here’s a look at what collectors can expect to find on eBay for 2023 baseball cards in the coming months:
Topps Series 1: As the longest-running and most iconic baseball card brand, Topps Series 1 is always one of the most anticipated releases each year. The base cards feature current players along with prospects poised to make their MLB debuts. Parallels like Chrome, Rainbow Foil, and Negative usually start popping up on eBay within days of the official release date in late February or early March. Top rookies to watch include Druw Jones, Elijah Green, and Termarr Johnson.
Topps Chrome: Following Series 1 a month or two later is Topps Chrome, featuring the same base cards but with a shiny refracted finish. Chrome parallels like Blue, Purple, Orange, and Red tend to command higher prices than the base issues. Top rookies like Jones, Green, and Johnson can easily fetch $100+ for their prized Chrome rookie cards on eBay auctions.
Bowman: The Bowman brand owns the prospect card market, with its releases in late winter/early spring focusing exclusively on minor leaguers and draft picks. Watch for cards of top prospects like Green, Johnson, and Jackson Holliday to surface on eBay auctions and buy it now listings as collectors look to acquire their rookie cards before they debut in the majors. Colorful parallels and autographed cards often carry four-figure price tags.
Bowman Chrome: Debuting a few months after the base Bowman set, Chrome provides the same prospect content but with flashy refractors. Top prospect rookies can sell for thousands on eBay given their scarcity and allure among collectors. Hot names to track include Green, Johnson, Holliday, and Max Clark.
Topps Finest: Released each July/August, Finest features current stars in a high-end format with refractor technology and glossy photo variations. Rated rookies, autos, and parallels tend to drive the highest prices on the secondary market. Top rookie cards to watch on eBay include players who made their MLB debuts that season.
Topps Transcendent: The ultra-premium Transcendent set released each fall is one of the hobby’s biggest splurges. Featuring 1-of-1 cards crafted from rare materials like onyx and emerald, auctions on eBay can reach eye-popping five-figure sums for a single card. While out of reach for most collectors, it’s always fascinating to browse.
Stadium Club: Also arriving each fall is Topps Stadium Club, which utilizes a retro-inspired graphic design and premium card stock. The base rookie cards are joined by parallels, autographs, and memorabilia cards that attract avid collectors. Top rookies like Jones, Green and Johnson could garner thousands on eBay auctions.
Panini Prizm: As the top brand from Panini, Prizm releases its baseball edition each winter/spring. Like Topps Chrome, it features current players in a flashy refracted format with numerous color parallels. Top rookie cards often sell briskly on eBay, though Panini doesn’t hold the same cachet as Topps. Still, cards of top prospects can sell from hundreds to low four figures.
Panini Contenders: Released each summer/fall, Contenders focuses on star players and rookies with an emphasis on autographs and memorabilia cards. eBay is a hotbed of activity as collectors pursue their favorite players in this high-end product. Base rookie autos can sell from $100s to low $1Ks, while 1/1 patches fetch astronomical sums.
While the official release dates have yet to be announced, keep an eye on eBay in late winter/early spring for the arrival of 2023 Topps Series 1, Bowman, and Topps Chrome. As the rookie classes of Green, Johnson, Jones, and others take shape throughout the season, their cardboard can be found on the secondary market via eBay auctions, buy it now listings, and group breaks. For serious collectors, it will be an exciting year pursuing these future stars in their rookie card forms across all the major brands before, during, and after the 2023 baseball season.
