The 2023 Baltimore Orioles baseball card season is one that card collectors are eagerly anticipating. After years of struggles both on the field and in terms of producing exciting young talent, the Orioles farm system is now regarded as one of the best in baseball. This bodes well for the collectibility of 2023 Orioles cards, as fans and investors alike will want to get in early on cards of prospects that could become the next superstars.
Top Prospects to Watch
Adley Rutschman – Already hailed as a future star after being selected 1st overall in 2019, Rutschman’s rookie season in 2022 saw him live up to the hype. Batting .254 with 13 home runs in 92 games, he established himself as the everyday catcher. Look for Rutschman’s sophomore season cards to be hot commodities.
Grayson Rodriguez – Widely considered the best pitching prospect in baseball, Rodriguez made his MLB debut late in 2022 after dominating the minors. Posting a 3.90 ERA in 5 starts, he showcased why his triple-digit fastball and plus slider could make him a future ace. His rookie cards will be must-owns.
Colton Cowser – The 5th overall pick in 2021 had a strong first full season in 2022 by batting .275 with 13 home runs between High-A and Double-A. Still just 21, Cowser has the potential to be an all-star outfielder. His prospect cards are worth investing in.
Gunnar Henderson – Another top shortstop prospect, Henderson batted .312 in the minors in 2022 and received a late-season callup. At just 21, he could be the Orioles’ long-term solution at short. Look for him to make an impact in 2023.
DL Hall – A former top-100 prospect, Hall had an up-and-down 2022 but still possesses an electric fastball-slider combo. If he puts it together, his cards could appreciate significantly. At just 24, he’ll be worth watching in 2023.
Top Rookies on the Rise
In addition to Rutschman establishing himself as the face of the franchise in 2022, other rookies like Kyle Stowers, Kyle Bradish, and Ryan Mountcastle took steps forward. Stowers showed power potential by hitting 12 home runs in just 192 at-bats. Bradish posted a 3.73 ERA over 16 starts and could develop into a mid-rotation starter. Mountcastle bounced back from a down 2021 with 33 doubles and 26 home runs while playing above-average defense at first base. All three players are worth following as they continue developing.
Veteran Leaders
While the youth movement is in full swing, a few veterans will continue leading the way. Trey Mancini was traded at the deadline after spending his first six seasons as a fan favorite in Baltimore. Cedric Mullins followed a stellar 2021 with a down 2022 but still provides elite defense and speed from center field. John Means will look to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2022 and reclaim his spot as the ace of the staff. All three veterans produce cards each year that Orioles collectors look to add to their collections.
Breakout Candidates
A few relatively unheralded players could be candidates to break out in 2023 now that they’ve had their first tastes of the majors. Outfielders Anthony Santander and Austin Hays both have 20-homer power when healthy and could build on their 2022 seasons. Righty reliever Dillon Tate emerged as the closer over the second half and has the stuff to remain entrenched in high-leverage late innings. Catching prospect Brett Cumberland showed pop with 6 home runs in just 109 at-bats and will compete for more playing time. Keep an eye on all three to become fan favorites and produce some sleeper cards.
Manufacturers and Parallels
As for the manufacturers, Topps, Panini, and Bowman will continue to be the biggest producers of Orioles cards. Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome offer the shiny parallels collectors love to chase. Topps also does colorful parallels like Rainbow Foil and Gold Label. Panini produces parallels like Red, Blue, Green Prizm and Black parallels of top rookies. Limited edition 1/1 parallels from Topps, Bowman, and Panini Authentic hold immense value for elite prospects like Rutschman and Rodriguez. With the farm system’s rising talent, these rare parallels could appreciate significantly if those players become stars.
Outlook and Investment Potential
With Adley Rutschman cementing himself as a star and prospects like Grayson Rodriguez on the cusp of joining him, the future is bright for Orioles baseball and the collectibility of their cards. Savvy investors recognizing the franchise’s turnaround potential could score big by acquiring cards now of players like Cowser, Henderson, and Hall before they too reach the majors. Parallels of top prospects and stars like Rutschman and Rodriguez hold blue-chip status. The 2023 Orioles card season shapes up to be one of the most intriguing in years given the rising talent emerging from one of the game’s best farm systems.
