The new year brings with it a fresh baseball card season full of possibilities. With 2023 rookies debuting, stars continuing to shine, and iconic veterans nearing retirement, there will be no shortage of intriguing cards hitting the market. While it’s impossible to predict the future, here are some of the best baseball cards collectors should keep an eye out for in 2023 based on player performance, hype, and other factors.

2023 Topps Baseball – As the longest-running and most iconic baseball card brand, Topps is a staple of the hobby. Their flagship release will feature the usual assortment of stars, prospects, and veterans. Top rookies like Gunnar Henderson and Oneil Cruz will have their Topps rookie cards, which usually retain strong value. Superstar cards of Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Ronald Acuña Jr. will also be hot commodities.

2023 Bowman Baseball – The Bowman brand is synonymous with prospects, and their 2023 set is primed to feature some of the game’s best young talent. Cards of top prospects like Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson, and Elijah Green will be coveted by collectors. Keep an eye out for parallels and autographs of these emerging stars. Veterans Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Fernando Tatis Jr. will also have desirable rookie reprints from their Bowman days.

2023 Topps Chrome Baseball – As one of the premier “hits” products, Topps Chrome is known for its photo variation parallels and refractors. The base cards have a stunning on-card photo and refractors add dazzling color. Rookies, stars, and parallels/refractors of Ohtani, Soto, and Acuña will be very sought after. With its bling factor, Topps Chrome often yields cards that appreciate well long term.

2023 Topps Fire Baseball – Topps Fire has quickly become one of the hottest modern brands, known for its flashy color parallels and autographed memorabilia cards. The base cards feature vibrant on-card photos on textured stock. Rookies, stars, and especially parallels/hits of the top names will be big draws for collectors given the brand’s popularity. Topps Fire has proven to produce cards with strong long term potential.

2023 Topps Inception Baseball – As one of the premier high-end brands, Topps Inception is renowned for its stunning on-card autographs, patches, and serial numbered parallels. The base cards also have a luxurious look thanks to embossed signatures and serial numbers. RCs, stars and especially hits/parallels of Ohtani, Soto, Acuña and top rookies will be tremendously valuable chase cards. Inception often yields cards that appreciate exponentially with time.

2023 Topps Transcendent Baseball – As one of the hobby’s true ultra-high-end releases, Topps Transcendent features exquisite 1/1 cards with rare autographs, memorabilia, and serial numbering. While boxes are hugely expensive, the cards command top dollar and have proven to gain immense value over time. True 1/1 RCs, autos, and patches of superstars like Mike Trout and especially newcomers like Druw Jones will be virtually priceless for dedicated collectors.

2023 Topps Archives Baseball – Topps Archives is a nostalgia lover’s dream, recreating the look of classic designs on today’s top players. RCs of 2023 rookies with a retro aesthetic will be hot, as will stars mimicking the designs of yesteryear. Parallels, autos, and relics insert these retro treats into the modern era. Cards paying homage to designs from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s will be especially prized by vintage collectors.

2023 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball – A&G is one of the most unique and fun brands, mixing baseball stars with figures from other sports and pop culture. The base cards have vivid color photos on premium stock. RCs, stars, and especially serial numbered parallels and hits will be major draws. With A&G’s surprise factor and long term appreciation, these cards are true collector’s items.

2023 Topps Heritage Baseball – As a nostalgia-focused brand, Heritage recreates the look and feel of classic 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s designs. The vintage aesthetic and on-card photos make these a true treat. Stars, RCs, and especially serial numbered parallels and autographs mimic the old-school designs perfectly. Heritage cards often gain value as they remind collectors of the hobby’s history.

2023 Topps Sterling Baseball – As one of the most luxe modern brands, Sterling features exquisite 1/1 parallels with rare memorabilia, autographs, and numbering. While boxes carry high price tags, the individual cards can be true trophies. RCs, stars, and hits/parallels of Ohtani, Soto, Acuña and top prospects will be true prizes. Sterling cards have proven to gain immense value over long periods of time.

2023 Topps Big League Baseball – While not as premium as other Topps lines, Big League packs fun retro designs and on-card photos into affordable packs. RCs, stars and especially serial numbered parallels provide affordable vintage-style collecting. With lower prices of entry, Big League lets collectors enjoy classic designs without breaking the bank.

2023 Topps Chrome UPDATE Series – As a mid-season release, Update Series Chrome provides a second chance at the year’s top rookie class with photo variations. Stars, prospects, and parallels/refractors of emerging talents will be draws. Update Chrome is also known for short prints and serial numbered parallel chases.

While it’s impossible to predict the future, Topps flagship and high-end products like Chrome, Fire, Inception, and Archives featuring the top rookies and stars of 2023 like Gunnar Henderson, Druw Jones, Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto have the best chance to gain value long term based on brand prestige, photo quality, and parallel/hit desirability. All levels of collectors should be able to find cards that excite them from the exciting new crop of 2023 releases.