The 2023 baseball season is officially underway, which means it’s time to look at who the hottest rookies and rising stars are in the baseball card collecting hobby. There are always new players emerging who excite fans both on the field and in the highly lucrative sports memorabilia marketplace. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most in-demand names in baseball cards today.
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels: Quite simply, Ohtani is the face of baseball right now and that translates directly to his cards being some of the most sought after on the resale market. The two-way Japanese phenom just continues to amaze with his pitching and power hitting abilities. His prizm and numbered parallels regularly sell for hundreds, if not thousands, as many believe he may go down as the greatest player ever. Even his most basic retail cards fetch a premium price.
Juan Soto, Washington Nationals: Still just 24 years old, Soto has already established himself as one of the purest hitters in the game. His prodigious power has generated lots of highlight reels and highlight cards. Soto’s 2019 Topps Update rookie card is one of the most iconic and valuable modern baseball cards, often selling for well over $1000. Any Soto parallels or autographs from the past few years will cost a pretty penny.
Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves: When healthy, Acuña is one of the most electrifying all-around players in MLB. The 25-year-old missed much of 2022 with injury but remains a superstar in the making. His 2018 Bowman Chrome prospects card skyrocketed in value and now changes hands for thousands. Look for his on-field production, which just resumed in September, to revitalize collector interest in Acuña cards across the board.
Wander Franco, Tampa Bay Rays: Still just 21 years old, Franco became the youngest player ever to hit in his first 30 MLB games last season. Scouts drool over his smooth left-handed swing and MLB veteran-like plate discipline. As Franco cements his status as a true franchise cornerstone, his already lofty card values will only continue climbing. The 2020 Bowman Chrome Auto refractor is particularly coveted, routinely fetching well into the four figures.
Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners: J-Rod exploded onto the scene in 2022 with his scintillating playoff performance against Toronto. At just 21, he’s shown freakish athleticism and an advanced all-fields approach. Rodriguez’s cards immediately gained traction but truly blew up after his postseason breakout. Many of his prized rookies and prospects materials from 2021 Topps Chrome and Bowman’s Best now trade for thousands due to sky-high longterm upside expectations.
Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves: As a late-round draft pick who rocketed to the majors, Strider’s story and electrifying 102mph fastball made him a breakout rookie sensation in 2022. Still just 24, he’s quickly developing elite secondary pitches too. Strider’s rookie cards were an afterthought in series 1 but became hugely sought after and valuable after his dominance in the second half. Even his common base cards now cost $20-50 each or more.
Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals: Like Rodriguez, Witt roared onto the scene in the second half with immense hype and did not disappoint. The son of former big leaguer Bobby Witt, he shows five-tool ability at just 22 years old. Witt’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Auto refractor rookie was a hobby darling for years and now routinely demands $1000+ given his ascending star power. His ‘22 Topps Chrome Update RC also garners big money.
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles: As the top prospect in baseball for years, expectation was understandably high for Rutschman. While he endured early MLB struggles, his talents are prodigious – a powerful lefty bat with elite defense and leadership behind the plate. At just 25, Rutschman will be a franchise cornerstone for a rebuilding Orioles club. Many collectors speculate his cards could eventually approach the values of legends like Pudge Rodriguez.
Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles: While injuries stalled his ascent slightly, Rodriguez remains arguably the top pitching prospect in the minor leagues right now at age 23. His triple-digit sinker is unhittable when located. As Baltimore’s future ace, Grayson mania is growing by the card collection. The 2021 Bowman Chrome Auto refractor sells for over $1000 already based purely on projection. When he arrives in 2023, those will exponentially increase.
Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates: At a towering 6’7″, Cruz is a physical marvel who’s just scratching the surface of his immense talents. He tantalized in his late-season MLB debut with prodigious raw power. Cruz remains very affordable now in the low minors levels, but collectors are eagerly awaiting his full-time promotion knowing he could be a true superstar. Any of his latest prospect refractor autos could pay big dividends in just a few years.
Bobby Miller, Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers’ 2020 1st rounder packs a 100mph fastball and elite slider in his powerful right arm. Miller stormed through the minors and made his debut late in 2022 at age 24. With the Dodgers’ talent development track record, he could rapidly emerge as a rotation anchor. His prospect cards remain reasonably priced for now but may blossom into serious longterm hold gems as his career takes off.
This covers some of the hottest young talents creating buzz in the baseball card market today. All of these players have MVP-caliber upside and continued on-field success will only drive collector demand and prices higher for their prized rookie cards, autographs and parallels over both the short and long run in the marketplace. Youth and potential are major factors fueling card speculation, so these names will remain firmly in the hobby spotlight for years to come.
