The 2023 Donruss baseball card set is one of the most anticipated releases each year among collectors. Donruss has been producing affordable and fun baseball cards for over 30 years. While they may not have the brand recognition of Topps or Panini, Donruss cards have developed a strong cult following due to their flashy designs and focus on the players themselves over elaborate photo variations.
With the 2023 Donruss set hitting stores in late July, many collectors have already turned to eBay to find individual cards from the set before retail release. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the top 2023 Donruss rookie and star player cards that are already generating buzz and big bids on the popular auction site.
Bobby Witt Jr. RCs Leading the Way
It should come as no surprise that Bobby Witt Jr. rookie cards (RCs) from Donruss 2023 are among the most popular listings found on eBay right now. The Kansas City Royals star lived up to immense hype in his debut season, batting .250 with 20 home runs and an impressive 80 RBI in just 122 games.
Witt’s autograph and memorabilia cards from high-end products like National Treasures and Flawless fetch thousands, but his standard Donruss base RC can be found for $50-75 depending on grading status. Bidding wars have driven ungraded versions up near $100 as more collectors jump in early. Parallel and short-printed variations command far higher prices already. Witt remains the biggest star from the rookie class and will likely hold that status for Donruss collectors in the coming years.
Julio Rodriguez Takes Seattle By Storm
Seattle Mariners centerfielder Julio Rodriguez put himself firmly in the AL Rookie of the Year conversation and became a household name while helping lead the M’s back to the playoffs in 2022. Not surprisingly, his Donruss RCs are the second-hottest rookie item on eBay behind Witt. Base versions trade hands between $40-60 ungraded, with higher-end parallels reaching $150-200 based on serial number or printing plates. Rodriguez’s star power and exciting play make him another must-have for collectors building their 2023 Donruss sets or PC’s early.
Spencer Strider’s Star Turn
While not a true rookie after making his MLB debut in 2021, Spencer Strider’s breakout as an ace for the Atlanta Braves’ rotation has made the right-hander one of the most sought-after sophomore cards available. Strider struck out over 200 batters in just 131 innings in 2022 and will be a Cy Young contender for years to come. His Donruss RCs move quickly around the $30-40 range on eBay, with more valuable parallels reaching up to $100-150 based on serial numbers. Strider is poised for superstardom and his early cards could prove to be wise long-term investments.
High Hopes for Oneil Cruz
While injuries limited his playing time in 2022, Pittsburgh Pirates super-prospect Oneil Cruz still generated major buzz in the hobby with his prodigious power and speed. Standing an imposing 6’7″, Cruz brings rare physical tools to the shortstop position. On eBay, his Donruss RCs have found a $25-35 price range as collectors bet on a breakout in 2023. Short prints and parallels reach up to $75-100 based on the specific card and its serial number. Cruz will be one to watch as his career gets underway and his cards could explode with a full healthy season.
Pitching Prospects to Watch
2023 figures to be a big year for several highly-touted pitching prospects as they make their MLB debuts or establish themselves in rotations. On eBay, collectors are already taking positions in their Donruss rookie cards. Tampa Bay Rays flamethrower Taj Bradley and Cincinnati Reds hurler Hunter Greene – who touched 103mph in 2022 – have standard RCs selling in the $15-25 range with higher priced parallels up to $50-75. Seattle’s George Kirby and Miami’s Max Meyer have found $10-20 price points as top pitching prospects to watch. All carry upside for increased values as their careers progress.
Veteran Stars Hold Steady
While rookies and prospects drive excitement, collectors also flock to eBay for superstar cards from proven veterans in the 2023 Donruss set. Reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt’s cards trade hands between $10-15 ungraded while his rare parallels reach $50-75 based on serial numbers. Fellow slugger Aaron Judge – fresh off breaking the AL home run record – sees ungraded base RCs at $15-20 with short prints up to $50. Even veterans like Nolan Arenado, Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor hold steady at $8-12 a card while their rarest parallels command $25-40. These tried and true talents remain fan-favorites.
Grading Demand Takes Off
For high-end collectors, securing PSA or BGS graded versions of their favorite 2023 Donruss rookies and stars is a must. On eBay, slabs for top cards like Witt, Rodriguez and Strider start in the $100-150 range for a PSA 10 gem. But bidding wars have seen mint condition examples of their rarest parallels reach up to $500-1000 already based on the specific card and grade earned. Even solid 9’s are finding $75-150 prices for major stars. Grading demand is high from collectors wanting to lock in pristine copies for long-term holds. This trend figures only to grow stronger as the release date nears and more cards hit the grading scene.
As you can see, the hype and collector demand around the 2023 Donruss baseball card set is already in full swing on eBay months ahead of the official product release date. Rookies like Witt and Rodriguez are leading the way while breakout stars and can’t-miss prospects also generate significant buzz. Both ungraded and professionally graded examples are in high demand across the board. For collectors itching to get a jumpstart on building their 2023 Donruss collections, eBay provides a valuable early opportunity to secure many of the set’s most coveted rookie cards and parallels.
