With the 2023 baseball season approaching, many collectors and investors are looking towards the upcoming rookie class and wondering which rookie cards have the potential to be valuable long-term holdings. While it’s impossible to predict the future, studying baseball history and analyzing the current landscape of the sport can provide insight into cards with the best odds of appreciating significantly in the years to come. In this in-depth article, we’ll examine several rookies who broke out in their first seasons or have the talent and hype to do so in 2023, making their rookie cards strong candidates to acquire.
Perhaps the safest bet for a true star performance and valuable rookie card in 2023 is Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. Franco had a phenomenal debut campaign in 2021, slashing .288/.347/.463 with 7 home runs and 39 RBI in just 70 games at age 20. He showed elite contact skills, plate discipline beyond his years, and budding power that is expected to grow as he matures physically. Already regarded as a true five-tool player and franchise cornerstone, Franco looks poised for superstardom. His 2021 Topps Chrome Update Blue Refractor RC /50 is currently valued around $2,000 and has immense long-term upside as one of the premier rookies of the past decade.
Another shortstop with tantalizing talent and early success is Boston Red Sox phenom Xander Bogaerts. Bogaerts broke out as a 21-year-old in 2013, batting .296 with 13 home runs and 26 doubles in 104 games. He’s developed into a perennial All-Star and is still just 30 years old, with many productive seasons likely still ahead. His 2013 Topps Chrome Update Orange Refractor RC /50 has gained over 500% in value since issue, a testament to his sustained excellence and brand as the Red Sox franchise player. Bogaerts’ cards could continue appreciating for years to come as a premier shortstop of his generation.
Moving to the outfield, Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts had one of the greatest rookie campaigns in recent memory in 2014. He slashed .291/.352/.479 with 15 home runs, 21 stolen bases, and 6.6 WAR in 133 games at age 21. Betts went on to win the 2018 AL MVP and has remained a consistent offensive force. His 2014 Topps Update Blue Refractor RC /50 has increased over 800% and could keep rising as he continues producing at an elite level into his 30s. Betts established himself as a true five-tool superstar right out of the gate, making his rookie cards among the safest long-term investments from the 2010s.
Juan Soto presents a tantalizing investment profile heading into 2023. After debuting at 19 in 2018, Soto immediately put the league on notice by batting .292 with 22 home runs and 70 RBI in only 116 games. Still just 24, Soto is a career .292 hitter who has finished top-6 in NL MVP voting three times already. While controversies around his contract situation create short-term uncertainty, Soto’s elite bat-to-ball skills and plus power should produce All-Star caliber seasons for many more years. His 2018 Topps Chrome Orange Refractor RC /50 holds steady value now but has major breakout potential as he enters his prime. Soto is a true five-tool talent who could end up as one of the game’s all-time great hitters.
Moving to this year’s rookie class, the top prospect is Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman. The #1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, Rutschman slashed .254/.368/.430 with 5 HR in 50 games after debuting late in 2022. Still just 25, Rutschman has drawn comparisons to Buster Posey for his advanced plate approach and leadership behind the plate. He’s the future cornerstone of the Orioles and has franchise player potential. Rutschman’s 2022 Topps Chrome Update Blue Refractor RC /50 currently sells in the $100-200 range but is primed to appreciate sharply if he breaks out as expected in 2023. He presents an opportunity for early adoption of what could develop into one of the most valuable modern rookie cards.
Another rookie catcher with a bright future is Detroit Tigers backstop Eric Haase. Haase debuted in 2020 at 27 but didn’t receive regular playing time until 2022, when he hit 15 home runs in 87 games while playing solid defense. Still just 29, Haase seems to have tapped into his raw power and could be a 20-homer threat for years as Detroit’s full-time catcher. His 2022 Topps Chrome Update Blue Refractor RC /50 sells around $50 currently and is very affordable for the potential of a long-term starting catcher. Haase may not reach superstar heights but has a good chance to be a steady, reliable contributor.
On the pitching side, Miami Marlins righty Max Meyer presents an intriguing case. The third overall pick in 2020, Meyer made his MLB debut in late 2022 and showed electric stuff, with a mid-90s fastball and plus slider. Still just 23, Meyer has ace potential if he can stay healthy and refine his command. His 2022 Topps Chrome Update Blue Refractor RC /50 is priced around $150 now and is arguably the highest-upside pitching card from the current rookie class. Meyer has the raw talent to emerge as the Marlins’ new staff ace and could become a dominant frontline starter for over a decade.
While predicting any investment’s future is impossible, focusing on rookies who showed five-tool ability or elite skills right away like Franco, Betts, and Bogaerts increases the odds of acquiring cards that appreciate significantly in value long-term. Prospects with franchise-changing talent like Rutschman and Meyer also offer early opportunity on the ground floor. By studying baseball history and scouting intangibles, savvy collectors can gain an edge in identifying the rookie cards most likely to retain and increase value for many years as those players’ careers progress. The above options present some of the highest-upside baseball cards to consider adding to a portfolio heading into the 2023 season.
