Series 1 is the flagship set produced by Topps each year which kicks off the baseball card season. For 2023, Topps promises an exciting Series 1 that features many of the sport’s biggest stars and top rookie cards. With MLB’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement in place, Topps has renewed their exclusive license to produce the official Major League Baseball trading card through 2025. This ensures Series 1 and the full Topps baseball card lineup will continue to be the premier product on the market.
Every Series 1 release aims to showcase the current landscape of Major League Baseball by highlighting top performers from the previous season along with rookie talent projecting to make an impact in the new year. Baseball fans eagerly await Series 1 each January to get their first cards of the year featuring updated stats, stats, and photos to track their favorite players. The 2023 edition is sure to sell out quickly and start a new cycle of collecting as the regular season approaches.
Some key things to watch for in the 2023 Topps Series 1 set include significant rookie cards for players who made their MLB debuts or were called up in 2022. Shortstop Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates is poised for stardom and his Series 1 card should be highly sought after. Despite playing in just 80 total games in 2022, Cruz showed his elite tools by hitting .233 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI. His speed, power and defense make him a future Pirates cornerstone. Other rookies to watch out for include catcher Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles), infielder Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansasas City Royals), and outfielder Julio Rodriguez (Seattle Mariners). All three were called up in 2022 and had impressive seasons to get fans excited for their long term potential.
On the veterans side, Aaron Judge’s home run chase in pursuit of Roger Maris’ American League single season record dominated headlines in 2022. Judge will undoubtedly be one of the featured faces of Series 1 after smashing an AL record 62 home runs. His card value could skyrocket even more if he wins AL MVP honors. Other established stars that deserve showcase cards include two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Mets pitcher Max Scherzer following his World Series win, and Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. as he returns from injury. Atlanta star Michael Harris II should also get recognition after his impressive rookie campaign that helped the Braves repeat as NL East champs.
While the base Series 1 set typically consists of 228 numbered cards, Topps has also been known to include special insert cards focusing on achievements, All-Star teams, award winners, and retro designs. For 2023, Topps Series 1 inserts being rumored include “Cooperstown Calling” highlight cards for players with Hall of Fame worthy careers like Albert Pujols, “Record Breakers” recognizing Judge’s 60+ homers, a “2022 World Series Champions” Atlanta Braves team card, and a special subset paying tribute to legendary players from the sport’s rich history. The inserts provide collectors valuable chase cards to find in packs or purchase individually.
After selling out of its initial print run each year, Topps Series 1 garners significant interest in the secondary market from collectors seeking specific cards that they didnt pull. The 2023 release is sure to see immediate demand for star rookies, key veterans like Judge who made history, and any short printed parallels or autographs that surface. While resell prices for base Series 1 cards usually range from around $1-5 depending on the player, premier rookie cards and stars can easily top $10-20 each for desirable copies. Long term, Series 1 acts as the foundation for valuable complete rainbow sets that encompass the various parallel color variations and autograph/memorabilia inserts inserted throughout.
Whether you’re a new collector just getting started or a longtime hobbyist, Topps Series 1 is considered a “must-have” annual release that strengthens your collection and gives you access to the latest crop of MLB’s rising stars. With the Topps brand and flagship product secure for years ahead, Series 2023 will kick off another exciting era in the neverending world of baseball cards. Check with your local hobby shop or website pre-orders to guarantee your boxes, hangers, fat packs or packs of the upcoming release when it arrives in January 2023. Building Series 1 sets year over year allows collectors to chronicle the evolution and careers of today’s top players for years to come.
