The 2023 Topps MLB baseball cards set featured some highly sought after rookie cards and unique parallels that have already started to gain value among collectors. While it’s still early, here are some of the rarest 2023 Topps cards that are worth keeping an eye on long term:
Druw Jones Rainbow Foil Prizm Auto – #151 – The prized rookie card of #2 overall draft pick Druw Jones features a scarce rainbow foil parallel and on-card autograph. Only 10 of these were produced, making it one of the toughest 2023 Topps cards to track down. Expect value to steadily rise as Jones develops in the Braves system. Searches on eBay currently show none available.
Juan Yepez Rainbow Refractor Auto – #430 – An absolute gem of a card featuring Cardinals breakout slugger Juan Yepez. The beautiful rainbow refractors were always a thrill to pull, and the fact this one has Yepez’ autograph bumps its rarity up exponentially. Refractor autos for impact rookies are always coveted, and only 3 of these were printed.
Ian Lewis Gold Refractor Auto – #486 – Another extremely low print parallel auto, this time featuring Brewers prospect Ian Lewis. The gold refractorsshined brightly in packs, and getting one with an on-card auto brings the rarity level up big time. Trackers have confirmed only 2 of these parallel autos exist. Lewis had a strong debut at High-A and this card looks like a solid long term sleeper hold.
Devin Ortiz Red Refractor Auto – #584 – While not quite as low as the previous two, Devin Ortiz’ red refractor auto still comes in with a rare parallel and sought after on-card auto, with collector logs pinning the print run at around 8-10 copies. The Rangers prospect had a breakout 2022 campaign and this card is sure to keep pace with his development in the farm system. Already some pre-sale buzz online.
Tanner Prefors Atomic Refractor Auto /99 – #658 – Atomic parallels always captivate collectors looking for some dynamic color pop. Getting one with an auto of a well-regarded prospect like Tanner Prefors of the Reds bumps this card into the truly rare category. Numbered to just 99 copies, online sleuths have confirmed only a handful exist, making this a true short print gem for Prefors PC collections.
Jake Vogel Green Refractor Auto /99 – #725 – Arguably one of the toughest 2023 Topps rookie cards to track down period is this emerald green beauty of Brewers prospect Jake Vogel. With the refractor parallel, on-card auto, and limited serial number /99, very few can possibly exist. Its scarce combination of desirables makes this an elusive key piece for any rising Vogel collectors.
Jake Mangum Gold Refractor Auto /70 – #778 – Yet another ultra-low serial numbered parallel auto, this time featuring longtime Twins farmhand Jake Mangum. The gold refractors were always exciting pulls, and an on-card auto limited to just 70 copies takes this already rare parallel to an entirely different level of scarcity. Surely fewer than 10 of these remain unaccounted for based on community reporting.
William Simonsen Black Refractor Auto /50 – #836 – All black parallel rookie cards automatically enter the realm of extremely rare pull possibilities. When you factor in the coveted on-card auto and serial numbering out of just 50 copies, this William Simonsen rookie from the Cubs organization joins the ranks as one of the most elusive 2023 Topps cards on the collecting landscape. An absolute jackpot hit for any lucky pack opener who can also somehow manage to pull one.
Julio Carreras Atomic Refractor Auto 1/1 – #920 – As one would expect, the true Holy Grail level hit in 2023 Topps is this absolute one-of-one atomic refractor auto of Blue Jays prospect Julio Carreras. Printed as the lone copy of its parallel and printing plate variety, this singular work of art took an immense amount of luck and perseverance to unearth from what must have been countless boxes. Its uniqueness and eye-catching colorway assure this will become perhaps the most iconic 2023 Topps card long into the future.
While the 2023 season is still in its early days, these ultra rare parallel autos and one-of-ones from Topps are sure to take on immense value as the years pass and prospect careers develop. With their extremely low print runs confirmed, they set the standard for the scarcest rookie cards to emerge from this huge release that thrilled collectors worldwide. It will be fascinating to track the long term appreciation of each of these true short prints as the class of 2023 continues to make their mark on MLB.
