Baseball cards have long been a popular collectible for both casual fans and serious investors. The baseball card market saw huge growth in the late 1980s and early 90s fueled by the rise of stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds. While the bubble eventually burst in the mid-90s, interest and prices recovered over the following decades.
Today, the baseball card market remains strong and offers opportunities for savvy investors. With another season in the books, it’s a great time to look ahead at the top baseball cards that could appreciate significantly in value in 2023 and beyond. By focusing on star players, rookie cards, and cards from iconic sets, investors stand the best chance of seeing strong long-term returns.
Mike Trout Rookie Cards (2009 Topps, Bowman Chrome, etc.)
Many experts consider Mike Trout the greatest baseball player of his generation and one of the all-time greats. As the likely future Hall of Famer enters his age-30 season in 2023, his already valuable rookie cards from 2009 and 2010 are only going to increase in demand. Trout’s 2009 Topps rookie card is one of the most iconic in the modern era and has already crossed the $10,000 price point for high-grade copies. His 2009 Bowman Chrome rookie is even more valuable, with PSA 10 copies selling for over $150,000. As Trout continues piling up accolades and edges closer to career milestones, these cards are sure to appreciate significantly and should be a cornerstone of any baseball card portfolio.
Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards (2018 Topps Series 1 & 2, Bowman Chrome)
Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has quickly become one of the most unique and compelling players in baseball history as a top pitcher and hitter. His 2018 rookie cards were already in high demand, but interest exploded after his MVP 2021 season and will likely continue rising if he stays healthy and productive in 2023. While PSA 10 copies of his Topps Series 1 and 2 rookies currently sell in the $2,000-3,000 range, prices are forecast to at least double within the next couple years. His ultra-rare 2018 Bowman Chrome rookie could be a true long-term blue chip, with only a handful of PSA 10s known to exist.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Rookie Cards (2018 Topps Series 1 & 2, Bowman Chrome)
Prior to a devastating knee injury that ended his 2021 season, Ronald Acuña Jr. was well on his way to superstardom and appeared poised to battle Mike Trout as the face of MLB for years to come. If he’s able to return to pre-injury form in 2023, interest in his already valuable 2018 rookie cards will spike dramatically. Even after missing much of 2022, PSA 10 copies of his Topps Series 1 and Bowman Chrome rookies still sell in the $1,000-2,000 range. With his huge talent and still being just 25 years old, Acuña has the potential for huge appreciation if he gets back to producing like an MVP.
Wander Franco Rookie Cards (2021 Topps Series 1 & 2, Bowman Chrome)
Tampa Bay Rays super-prospect Wander Franco had one of the best MLB debuts in recent memory in 2021 at just 20 years old. While he battled injuries in 2022, he still showed tantalizing talent and will enter his age-21 season with immense expectations. Franco’s rookie cards exploded in popularity in 2021 and remain some of the most sought-after on the modern market. PSA 10 copies of his flagship Topps Chrome rookie have already crossed the $1,000 threshold and could climb much higher if Franco fulfills his destiny as a perennial All-Star. He may have the highest long-term upside of any young player.
Juan Soto Rookie Cards (2018 Topps Series 1 & 2, Bowman Chrome)
At just 24 years old, Juan Soto has already established himself as one of the best pure hitters in baseball. After his monster 2022 season where he led MLB in walks and on-base percentage, interest and prices surged for his 2018 rookie cards. PSA 10 copies of his Topps Series 1 and Bowman Chrome rookies now sell in the $500-1,000 range on the high end. With Soto locked up long-term in Washington, he should continue producing at an elite level and gaining more mainstream recognition. His rookies have the potential to reach the $2,000-3,000 range within the next couple years.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rookie Cards (2019 Topps Series 1 & 2, Bowman Chrome)
After a breakout 2021 season where he finished second in AL MVP voting, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looks like a surefire superstar for the Blue Jays. His 2019 rookie cards gained significant value last year but still have room to appreciate further. PSA 10 copies of his Topps Series 1 and Bowman Chrome rookies currently sell in the $300-500 range. As Guerrero Jr. approaches his age-24 season with 40-homer, 100-RBI potential, these cards could reach the $1,000 level within the next couple years if he stays healthy and productive.
Luis Robert Rookie Cards (2020 Topps Series 1 & 2, Bowman Chrome)
When healthy, White Sox center fielder Luis Robert looks like a true five-tool star capable of putting up MVP-caliber seasons. Injuries limited him to just 68 games in 2022, but he still showed why his 2020 rookie cards gained so much hype. PSA 10 copies of his Topps Series 1 and Bowman Chrome rookies have dipped a bit from their 2021 highs in the $300-500 range but have long-term breakout potential. If Robert can avoid the injury bug in 2023 and produce at an All-Star level over a full season, interest will spike again in these cards.
Spencer Torkelson Rookie Cards (2021 Topps Series 1 & 2, Bowman Chrome)
Tigers top prospect Spencer Torkelson had a disappointing MLB debut in 2022 that dampened some of the hype around his rookie cards. At just 23 years old, he still has all the tools and hitting ability to develop into a perennial All-Star. His 2021 rookies from Topps and Bowman are relatively inexpensive in high grades currently in the $50-150 range. For patient investors with a long-term outlook, taking a chance on Torkelson bouncing back with a breakout 2023 season could yield huge returns down the road on these cards.
Rookie Cards from Iconic Sets (1952 Topps, 1957 Topps, 1987 Topps, etc.)
While focusing on recent stars offers the most short-term upside, baseball cards from iconic vintage sets can deliver steady long-term appreciation. Sets like 1952 and 1957 Topps introduced the modern cardboard format and featured legends like Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays in their rookie seasons. High-grade rookie cards from these sets sell for hundreds of thousands, if not millions. More recent classics like 1987 Topps, which featured young stars like Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, have also gained steady value. Even mid-level vintage rookie cards offer a relatively low-risk way to hold blue-chip collectibles.
By concentrating on the rookie cards of today’s emerging young stars combined with strategic investments in cards from beloved vintage sets, savvy collectors can build a baseball portfolio with strong long-term appreciation potential. Focusing on stars with MVP upside like Trout, Ohtani, Acuña Jr. and Guerrero Jr. offers the best chances of multiplying initial investment many times over in the coming years as their careers progress. With another exciting MLB season ahead in 2023, now is an ideal time to get in the game.
