The 2023 baseball card season is well underway, and as with any year, there are always certain rookie cards and veterans that command premium prices. While it’s still early, some cards have already established themselves as truly valuable modern pieces for collectors. With players like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Ronald Acuña Jr. continuing to dominate on the field, their rookie cards remain highly sought after. Meanwhile, new rookies like Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt Jr. are making a strong early impression and generating buzz around their fresh cardboard. Let’s take a look at some of the costliest 2023 baseball cards on the market so far.
Perhaps the most expensive 2023 baseball card to date is the Juan Soto Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card. Soto has cemented himself as one of the game’s true superstars after winning the Home Run Derby in back-to-back years. As a result, his 2018 Topps Chrome Refractor RC is one of the most coveted modern cards in the hobby. Fresh PSA 10 examples of this Soto gem have been selling for $1,500 or more. While it’s not technically a 2023 release, the sustained demand for Soto cards makes this one an obvious inclusion.
Staying in the realm of established young stars, the Topps Chrome Sapphire Shohei Ohtani rookie card has also been a hot ticket. As the current AL MVP and one of baseball’s biggest draws, collectors pay top dollar to own a piece of Ohtani history. Pristine PSA 10 examples of his 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire RC have changed hands for $800-1000 so far in 2023. The card remains quite scarce in a flawless grade.
Turning to true 2023 releases, the Topps Chrome Sapphire Julio Rodriguez rookie refractor is a clear early standout. Rodriguez had a phenomenal rookie campaign with the Mariners and looks poised for stardom. Low-numbered versions of his Topps Chrome Sapphire refractor, which parallels number to /150, have sold in the $400-600 range when freshly graded PSA 10. This bodes well for the card’s long term potential as Rodriguez continues to produce.
Another 2023 rookie making waves is Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals. After an impressive debut season that saw him finish second in the AL ROY voting, Witt mania is in full effect. His Topps Chrome Sapphire rookie refractor /150 parallel has also been a hot ticket, with PSA 10 examples reaching $350-450. Like Rodriguez, Witt’s continued development should only serve to increase demand for this prized rookie card.
Veteran superstars continue to hold significant value as well. For example, a PSA 10 Ronald Acuña Jr. Topps Chrome Sapphire rookie refractor from 2018 has sold for around $700 this year. The two-time All-Star is still just 25 and returning from injury, so his cards remain a staple in collections. Meanwhile, superfractor parallels have also drawn big bucks – a one-of-one Mike Trout Topps Fire red refractor sold for a whopping $9,000 in August after months of bidding. Trout’s unmatched consistency and star power will likely keep even his parallels pricey for years to come.
Looking ahead to potential risers as the year progresses, keep an eye on cards from breakout young talent like Oneil Cruz, Joe Ryan, and Michael Harris II. Cruz’s electric tools have already driven some parallel rookie refractors above $100. Meanwhile, rookie cups and autographs of emerging stars like Harris II and Ryan could gain steam if they sustain strong play down the stretch. On the veteran side, expect continued strong prices for Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge, and other active greats amid contract years and playoff pushes.
While still relatively early, the 2023 season has already produced some expensive modern baseball cards. Established stars like Soto, Ohtani and Acuña continue dominating alongside emerging talents like Rodriguez and Witt Jr. As the year progresses, more rookie gems as well as parallels and autographs of rising young players are likely to break out. With a fresh crop of rookies joining longtime greats, the 2023-24 offseason shaping up to be another big one for the trading card market. Condition-sensitive cards like refractors and sapphires in pristine PSA 10 will remain the most costly, but compelling rookies and vets across all products and grades are primed for strong collector demand.
