The 2023 baseball card season is shaping up to be another exciting year in the hobby. With rookies like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Adley Rutschman making their mark in the big leagues, their rookie cards will be hot commodities to pull from packs. Veterans like Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, and Ronald Acuña Jr. continue producing at elite levels, keeping their cards highly coveted as well.
Some key factors that determine the best baseball cards to target include the player’s talent and production, rookie or star status, team affiliation, parallels and serial numbered variations, and long term investment potential. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top baseball cards to aim for in 2023 across the major brands like Topps, Bowman, Panini, and more.
Julio Rodriguez (Seattle Mariners) – The AL Rookie of the Year had a monster debut season in 2022 and looks like a budding superstar. His rookie cards, especially serial numbered parallels, from Topps Series 1 and Bowman Chrome will be at the top of many collectors’ want lists. Look for his autos and memorabilia cards to carry big premiums.
Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals) – Like Rodriguez, Witt had a phenomenal rookie campaign and proved he’s a budding star. His Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome rookie refractors will be must-have cards. Serial numbered parallels could gain significant value as his career progresses.
Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles) – After a strong debut late in 2022 following his much-hyped prospect status, Rutschman looks primed for stardom as well. His Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome rookies will be hot, with low-numbered parallels being true long term gems.
Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels) – The two-way phenom continues doing things no one else can on the baseball field. His Topps flagship and Chrome parallels will be at the top of want lists. Autograph and memorabilia cards carry immense value as a true one-of-a-kind player.
Aaron Judge (NY Yankees) – After smashing the AL home run record, Judge has cemented himself as a true superstar. His Topps flagship and Chrome cards hold strong value. A signed Judge rookie could fetch five figures.
Mike Trout (LA Angels) – Still arguably the best player in baseball when healthy, Trout cards remain elite holdings. Low-numbered parallels of his Topps Update and Chrome rookies from 2009 are true trophies.
Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves) – The dynamic young star looks primed for a huge 2023 after returning from injury. His Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome refractors hold strong long term appeal.
Wander Franco (Tampa Bay Rays) – Widely considered the top prospect ever, Franco had a strong first full season and could emerge as a perennial All-Star. His Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome refractors are primed for growth.
Luis Robert (Chicago White Sox) – The speedy center fielder had a breakout 2022 campaign and could develop into a true five-tool star. His Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome rookie refractors have room for appreciation.
Juan Soto (San Diego Padres) – Now in the midst of his massive new contract, Soto will be a Padres star for years to come. His Topps Chrome rookie parallels hold immense value and could grow significantly.
Two other players worth keeping an eye on include Seattle Mariners rookie George Kirby, who had an excellent debut season, and Atlanta Braves star Michael Harris II, who looks like a budding star after his impressive rookie campaign. Their Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome rookie cards could emerge as solid long term holdings.
When it comes to parallel and serial numbered cards, there are some general guidelines. Refractors and prisms from Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome hold the strongest overall value, especially for rookies. Numbered to less than /5 or /10 are true high-end pieces. Autograph and memorabilia cards carry substantial premiums as well for the biggest stars. Numbered parallels from flagship Topps products like Series 1 also hold value, especially for veterans.
Focusing on the top young stars and established veterans across Topps, Bowman, and Panini products is a smart strategy. Rookie cards for Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Adley Rutschman look poised to be the biggest hits of 2023. But low-numbered parallels of stars like Ohtani, Judge, Trout, Acuña Jr., and Soto will always be in high demand. With some luck and packs ripped, any of these could emerge as long term collection highlights and potential treasures. The 2023 baseball card season is primed to be an exciting one.
