The new year brings with it a fresh crop of baseball cards to pursue for any collector. With another season of Major League Baseball on the horizon, 2023 promises to deliver exciting rookies and star players to chase. Whether you focus on the latest releases, vintage gems, or unique parallels and variations, here are some top baseball card recommendations to target in the new year.
Topps Series 1: Arguably the biggest and most anticipated baseball card release each year is Topps Series 1. The flagship set always features the biggest names and top rookies from the previous season. 2023 Topps Series 1 cards to watch for include rookie cards of Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, and Miami Marlins pitcher Max Meyer. Superstar cards of Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Ronald Acuña Jr. will also be hot. This set is a must-have for any collection.
Topps Chrome: As a parallel version of Series 1, Topps Chrome uses chromium coating on the front of the cards for a glossy, eye-catching look. The Chrome parallels are usually short printed and command higher prices. Watch for Topps Chrome rookie cards of Rutschman, Kwan, and Meyer to be especially sought after and valuable. Other top Chrome cards include Ohtani, Soto, and Acuña.
Bowman Draft: Released in June, Bowman Draft focuses on the previous year’s amateur draft class and top international prospects. The set features prospects’ first pro cards before they make their MLB debuts. Names to watch for in 2023 Bowman Draft include high school shortstop Jackson Holliday (2021’s #1 overall pick), high school outfielder Dylan Lesko, and international prospects Lazaro Montes and Jean Ramirez. Early cards of these future stars could pay off down the road.
Topps Finest: As one of the high-end flagship releases, Topps Finest utilizes foil stamping, on-card autographs, and refractors to make for some of the most visually striking baseball cards on the market. Short printed parallels like the purple, orange, and green refractor patches can be big hits. Top rookies and stars in the 2023 Topps Finest set will be highly sought after.
Topps Archives: A nostalgic throwback set, Topps Archives recreates iconic designs from the 1950s-1980s. The 2023 edition is set to reimagine 1985 Topps cards. Top rookie reprints could include Dwight Gooden, Gary Sheffield, and Bret Saberhagen. Star reprints of Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, and Ryne Sandberg will also be popular. This set is a fun way to add some classic vintage flair to any collection.
Topps Heritage: Paying tribute to the classic cardboard of the 1960s-1980s, Topps Heritage utilizes retro designs to showcase today’s top players. The 2023 release will feature a 1968 design theme. Popular inserts include the ’64 Tribute parallel and ’65 Throwbacks. Top rookies and stars like Rutschman, Kwan, Ohtani and more will have Heritage cards that emulate the look of the past.
Bowman’s Best: Released in the fall, Bowman’s Best is one of the premium Bowman releases. The set uses high-end parallels, autographs, and patches to spotlight top prospects. Names that could emerge from the 2023 Bowman’s Best set as future stars include catcher Druw Jones (son of Andruw Jones), shortstop Mikey Romero, and pitcher Brock Porter. Their early cards could prove valuable down the line.
Topps Update Series: Issued in late summer/fall, Topps Update Series features midseason call-ups, awards, and All-Star recognitions from the current MLB season. Top rookies and performances from 2023 will be highlighted. Cards of breakout rookie performers like Oneil Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr., and Julio Rodriguez from the 2022 Update Series saw huge jumps in value. The 2023 Update will spotlight that year’s top rookies and performances.
Vintage: While chasing the newest releases is exciting, don’t forget about vintage gems from the past. Legendary rookie cards from the 1950s-1980s featuring the games’ all-time greats can still be found with diligent searching. Cards to target include the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, 1957 Topps Hank Aaron, and 1975 Topps Eddie Murray rookies. Other affordable vintage stars include Ozzie Smith, Nolan Ryan, and Tom Seaver rookie cards. With patience, valuable vintage pieces can be uncovered.
Autographs and Memorabilia: For collectors seeking signed pieces and game-used memorabilia cards, keep an eye out for affordable rookie auto and relic cards outside of the flagship releases. Affordable options to target could include Bowman Draft autographs of 2022’s top signees, Topps Chrome Update Series rookie autographs, and Topps Opening Day patches and autographs inserted at lower odds. These signed and game-used rookie pieces of future stars offer strong long term potential.
With another action-packed baseball season on the horizon, 2023 promises to deliver an array of exciting new cards to chase across the various releases. Staying on top of the latest rookies and stars while also discovering vintage gems will help any collector build a well-rounded collection with cards poised to appreciate over the long run. By focusing on the recommendations above, you’ll be well equipped to pursue valuable baseball cardboard in the new year.
