The Cincinnati Reds are gearing up for what could be an interesting 2023 season as they continue their rebuild. While the team may not contend for a playoff spot just yet, there are still plenty of storylines surrounding the franchise that make their upcoming baseball cards an exciting prospect for collectors. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the players and themes that Reds cards in 2023 could highlight.
One of the biggest storylines will certainly surround rookie shortstop Elly De La Cruz. The 21-year old Dominican had a breakout season in 2022, hitting .326 with 27 home runs and 29 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A. He’s considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball and is expected to make his MLB debut at some point in 2023. Card manufacturers will surely want to capitalize on De La Cruz hype by featuring him prominently in their sets. Expect plenty of prized rookie cards as collectors scramble to get in early on what could be a future star.
Another young player who had a breakout season was 2nd baseman Jonathan India. The 2021 NL Rookie of the Year took his game to another level in 2022 by slashing .269/.349/.450 with 17 home runs and 69 RBI. India established himself as a cornerstone of the Reds rebuild and will be a hot commodity for collectors next season. Look for India to receive star treatment on base and insert cards as he continues ascending into an offensive force for Cincinnati.
On the pitching side, 2023 could be a coming out party for Hunter Greene. The flame-throwing righty showed electric stuff in his rookie campaign but battled command issues, posting a 5.72 ERA over 20 starts. He struck out an impressive 109 batters in just 101 innings. With a full offseason to refine his control, Greene has ace potential. Memorabilia cards featuring his triple-digit heat could capture the excitement surrounding his continued development.
While the future looks bright, Reds cards will also pay homage to the team’s recent past. Veterans Joey Votto and Mike Moustakas played the final years of their careers in 2022. Both sluggers were integral parts of Cincinnati’s playoff teams earlier in the decade. Insert cards highlighting their top moments in a Reds uniform or final season stats would make for popular nostalgia pieces. Likewise, franchise icon Votto could receive career accomplishment updates in flagship sets after racking up over 2,100 hits in his illustrious 17-year tenure.
The 2023 season will also mark the first full year without Nick Castellanos and Eugenio Suarez, who were traded at last year’s deadline. While their departures kick off the next phase of Cincinnati’s rebuild, cards looking back on their contributions—especially Castellanos’ All-Star 2021 campaign—will remind fans of recent competitive squads. Rookies like De La Cruz and pitcher Graham Ashcraft, acquired in those deals, represent the Reds’ future on cardboard.
With a new core beginning to emerge from their farm system and veterans from playoff teams of past saying goodbye, the 2023 Cincinnati Reds cards have all the makings of an interesting bridge from one era to the next. While wins may still be lacking on the field, collectors will find plenty to admire—and plenty of emerging stars to get in early on—in next year’s cardboard releases chronicling this franchise at an intriguing crossroads.
