The 2023 Topps Series 1 baseball release marks the start of the flagship Topps baseball card set’s 66th year. As always, Series 1 contains a wide variety of rookies, stars, and parallels that make it one of the most anticipated releases each year. With so many cards to sort through, here’s a closer look at some of the standouts collectors will want to target from the 2023 Topps Series 1 set.
One of the biggest rookie cards in the set is Tampa Bay Rays shortstop and top prospect Xavier Edwards. Considered one of the elite prospects in baseball, Edwards hit .299 with 24 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022 and is expected to make his MLB debut in 2023. His base rookie card can be pulled in Series 1 packs and will be one of the key rookie chase cards for collectors next year. Another exciting rookie is Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler, who hit .250 with 13 home runs in his first full season in Double-A. Dingler has big power potential and his rookie card should be in high demand.
On the star player front, one card that will attract a lot of attention is Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani. After winning the AL MVP award in 2021 and continuing his dominance on the mound and in the batter’s box in 2022, Ohtani has become one of the faces of MLB. His base Topps card is always a popular pull and parallels will carry premium value. Another superstar to watch is New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who rebounded from an injury-plagued 2021 season to hit .270 with 107 RBI and win his first Gold Glove award in 2022. Lindor’s star power makes him a coveted card for collectors.
In terms of parallels, the Rainbow Foil parallel cards tend to be some of the most sought-after short prints in Series 1. Featuring an iridescent foil treatment on the player image, these parallel cards number between /99 and /50 copies and highlight some of the set’s top rookie and star talents. Other key parallels include Gold Foil (/50), Gold Stamp (/2020), and Platinum Stamp (/1). Low-numbered parallels of big names like Ohtani, Lindor, Edwards, and Dingler will be highly valuable. The set also includes an autographed card checklist, with signatures of stars and prospects available through redemption.
Topps also continues its popular Traditions insert set with Series 1. Highlighting classic designs from decades past, the Traditions cards feature current players in vintage-style uniforms and photography. Parallels like Gold (/50) and Black (/10) take on added significance. Rookie Traditions cards are particularly sought after by collectors. Another popular insert is Topps Now Moments, which captures iconic MLB performances from the previous season in card form shortly after they occur. Topps Now cards of postseason heroes and award winners like Aaron Judge are highly collectible.
In terms of variations, the ever-popular negative photo variations return in Series 1. Featuring players photographed against a black background in a negative color scheme, these one-per-case hits create a unique aesthetic. Other short-printed variations include Rainbow Foil Negative (/99), Gold Foil Negative (/50), and Platinum Stamp Negative (/1). Finding a negative parallel of a big star like Judge or Shohei Ohtani would be a true chase card. Additionally, Topps continues its popular “Photo Variation” concept, with alternate photos of select players inserted randomly in packs.
When it comes to serial numbered cards, collectors will want to target low-number versions of top rookies and stars. Serial numbers below /250 are considered short prints. Super short prints below /50 like Gold Stamp (/2020) or Platinum Stamp (/1) cards of big names will be true high-end hits. The set’s Box Toppers, featuring select star players in a photo variant design, are serial numbered to /299, with low numbers being the most coveted.
With rookies like Xavier Edwards and Dillon Dingler, stars like Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor, and an array of popular parallels, inserts, and variations, the 2023 Topps Series 1 baseball release is stocked with cards that are sure to be in high demand from collectors. For those chasing the set’s biggest hits and chase cards, keep an eye out for low-numbered parallels, negative variations, Traditions cards, and the prized rookie cards that could become collectible cornerstones. Series 1 is always a fun way to start the annual Topps baseball card journey.
