The Chicago Cubs are coming off another disappointing season in 2022 but there are signs of hope and promise for the future as the beloved North Siders continue their rebuild. While the on-field product may still be developing, Cubs fans can always look forward to the release of the latest baseball card sets each year featuring their favorite team and players both past and present. 2023 looks to be another exciting year for Cubs cards as several young stars continue to emerge and veterans remain fan favorites.
Top Young Stars To Watch
Perhaps the most anticipated Cubs cards for collectors in 2023 will be those featuring some of the team’s rising young talents. After a breakout season that saw him named NL Rookie of the Year, Seiya Suzuki will surely be one of the hot commodities. The 27-year-old Japanese outfielder batted .262 with 17 home runs in his first MLB campaign and looks primed for even bigger things. Another corner outfielder to keep an eye on is Ian Happ, who is coming into his prime at 26 years old. Happ has shown steady improvement each year and hit 25 home runs in 2022, proving to be a foundation piece as the Cubs move forward.
On the mound, 23-year-old righty Keegan Thompson looks poised for stardom after a breakout 2022 where he went 12-8 with a 3.97 ERA as a versatile starter and reliever. Thompson flashed three above average pitches and good control, making him one of the more intriguing young arms in baseball going forward. Fellow young hurlers such as Justin Steele, Adrian Sampson and Brandon Hughes also continue to develop and will be fun to track through their baseball cards.
Of course, the crown jewel of the Cubs’ collection of prospects remains outfielder Brennen Davis. The former top 100 prospect started to tap into his enormous power potential late in 2022 and will look to lock down an everyday role in 2023 at age 23. Davis has one of the highest ceilings in the system and collecting his rookie cards now could prove very profitable down the road if he reaches his star potential.
Veteran Fan Favorites
While rebuilding, the Cubs have opted to hold onto some popular veterans who continue to produce and provide leadership in the clubhouse. Perennial All-Star Willson Contreras remains one of the top backstops in baseball at 30 years old and is a heart-and-soul type player beloved on the North Side of Chicago. Contreras’ cards always fly off the shelves and 2023 looks to be no different as he enters a contract year.
Also entering his final year of team control before free agency is impending free agent catcher Yan Gomes. The 35-year-old defensive specialist has developed into a valuable experienced backup and mentor, lending his veteran experience behind the plate. Gomes remains quite popular with Cubs fans and in the dugout.
On the mound, Cubs fans can still get behind two crafty veterans who were key contributors again in 2022. Righty Kyle Hendricks, despite battling injuries, continues to chew up innings efficiently when healthy at 32 years old. A mainstay in the team’s rotation for years, Hendricks’ cards maintain their following. Fellow right-hander Wade Miley is an underrated signing that paid dividends last season. At 36, Miley proved he remains an innings-eater capable of eating quality starts.
Up And Coming RCs To Watch For
While focusing mainly on developing young talent, the Cubs did add a couple notable prospects through the draft in 2022 who collectors will want to watch out for in their rookie card debuts. Fifth overall pick Cutter Montgomery is one of the top prep arms in the draft class with a projectable 6’4 frame and three promising pitches. The pitcher out of Georgia flashed mid-90s heat and could rise up prospect lists quickly.
Later in the first round, the Cubs selected prep shortstop Christopher Morel out of Puerto Rico. Morel is a tooled up switch hitter with huge raw power potential and athleticism expected to stick at short. After flying through two levels of the minors last season, Morel could reach Wrigley soon and give fans an exciting young position player to follow. Keep an eye out for the rookie cards of these two potential future stars.
Vintage Cubs Still In High Demand
As one of the most storied franchises in baseball, the Cubs have no shortage of beloved alumni that maintain card value well after retirement. Perhaps no retired Cub maintains stronger demand than Ryne Sandberg, who remains one of the most memorable and accomplished second basemen in history. The Hall of Famer played his entire career in Chicago’s beloved blue pinstripes from 1981-1997, capturing the ’84 NL MVP and earning 10 Gold Gloves. Ryno’s rookie cards from 1981 remain among the most sought after Cubs items.
Another Cubs legend holding steady valuation is Fergie Jenkins. The Hall of Fame righty spent eight brilliant seasons on the North Side from 1966-1973, leading the NL in wins twice and ERA once en route to a career 3.34 ERA in Chicago. Jenkins’ rookie cards and Cubs starter/star cards are considered classics in the hobby. Even role players like Rick Monday, Jose Cardenal and Jody Davis from the famed 1984 division winner see collectors clamoring for their Cubs cards.
The state of Cubs collecting remains strong as fans look forward to a promising young core emerging at Wrigley Field. With established vets like Contreras and Hendricks alongside young breakouts like Suzuki and Thompson, 2023 figures to bring another exciting year of Cubs cards both new and vintage. Staying patient through the rebuild, collectors can take solace in adding top prospects like Montgomery and Morel to their Cubs PC with high expectations for the future.
