The baseball card market continues to be one of the most popular collectibles, with interest surging in recent years. As we head into 2023, there are certain cards that are poised to gain value and be worthwhile investments for collectors. With the help of experts in the industry, here are some of the best baseball cards to consider adding to your collection in the new year.
Rookie Cards of Top Young Stars – Many of the biggest names in the game today made their debuts just a few short years ago, and their rookie cards remain some of the hottest commodities. Cards like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. rookie cards are always in high demand. Soto’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect card has already gained tremendous value and is a great long-term hold. Acuña’s 2018 Topps Series 1 RC and Guerrero’s 2018 Bowman Chrome RC also have immense upside as those superstars continue producing at an elite level.
Vintage Mickey Mantle Cards – You can’t go wrong with any vintage Mantle card, as “The Commerce Comet” remains one of the most iconic and beloved players ever. His 1952 Topps, 1953 Topps, and 1956 Topps cards are the true holy grails, but they command astronomical prices. More affordable vintage Mantle options to target include his 1957 Topps, 1958 Topps, or 1960 Topps issues. Even low-grade copies of these can appreciate significantly with time. Mantle’s popularity and name recognition ensure strong future demand.
Sandy Koufax Rookie Cards – Koufax is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers ever, and his rookie cards have exploded in value in recent years. His 1955 Bowman and 1956 Topps rookie cards are near impossible to acquire in high grade now. His 1955 Topps #127 card remains somewhat attainable for collectors and is primed to continue its upward trajectory. Any early Koufax issue you can add to your PC would be a wise choice.
Mike Trout Rookie Cards – Trout has firmly cemented himself as the best player of his generation and holds countless MLB records as his career progresses. His 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Superfractor is the ultimate Trout collector’s piece, but most will never be able to afford one. His 2009 Bowman Paper rookie card and 2009 Bowman Chrome rookie refractor are much more accessible while still having immense long-term potential. Trout is signed long-term with the Angels and will continue shattering records, making any of his rookie cards a sound investment.
Vintage Stars of the 1950s and 1960s – Legends like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente and more dominated during baseball’s Golden Era in the 1950s and 1960s. Their vintage rookie cards and early career issues remain some of the most coveted in the hobby. While the true high-grade gems will set you back huge money, it’s always worth targeting affordable mid-grade examples that can still gain value significantly over the long run. These players are forever etched in baseball history and will maintain strong collector demand for decades to come.
Rookie Cards of Current Young Stars – Beyond Acuña, Guerrero Jr. and Tatis Jr., several other recent rookie cards are primed to appreciate as those players continue developing. Cards like Wander Franco, Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr. and others have the potential to become true superstars. While there is risk inherent in any young player, targeting affordable rookie cards of these types of talents is a savvy way to get skin in the game on players who may break out in 2023 and beyond.
Modern Parallels and Autographs – For collectors looking to invest at a higher price point, modern parallels and autographed cards of top young stars are an enticing option. RCs like an Acuña Jr. Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor or a Guerrero Jr. Bowman Chrome Autograph hold immense long-term value potential as those players’ careers progress. The same applies to rookies of emerging talents like Franco. These high-end modern cards require a larger initial commitment but have huge upside if the player blossoms into a perennial All-Star.
Vintage Stars from the 1980s and 1990s – Legends like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr. and more dominated during baseball’s renaissance era in the late 20th century. While their true rookie gems are out of reach for most, affordable mid-grade copies of their early Topps/Donruss issues are still worth targeting. These stars created lifelong memories for generations of fans and will remain iconic figures in the hobby for decades to come.
Low-Serial Number Parallels – For those willing to invest four figures or more, modern low-serial parallels of stars offer immense long-shot potential. Cards like a /10 printing plate of Acuña’s 2018 Topps Chrome RC or a /5 auto of Guerrero’s 2018 Bowman Chrome RC are true collector’s pieces. While riskier short-term, they hold immense value if those players have Hall of Fame careers and remain beloved stars for decades. These ultra-rare parallels are true long-term speculation pieces for the bold collector.
This covers some of the best baseball card investments to consider making in 2023. By targeting rookies of established and emerging young stars, as well as affordable vintage legends, savvy collectors can build a collection with strong long-term appreciation potential. The hobby continues booming in popularity, so classic cards will always be in high demand. With patience and the right card selections, there are collecting opportunities for budgets of any size.
