The 2023 baseball season is upon us and that means it’s time to start looking for the rookie cards and prospects that could become highly valuable in the coming years. While it’s impossible to predict exactly which players will break out and live up to their potential, here are some of the top baseball cards from 2023 sets to keep an eye on based on player talent and future potential.
One of the most hyped rookie cards entering the 2023 season is Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene. Considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball, Greene had a strong showing in his MLB debut late in the 2022 season and is expected to claim an everyday role for the Tigers in 2023. The speedy and athletic Greene has five-tool potential and his autographed or first-bowman cards from sets like Topps, Bowman, and Panini Prizm could skyrocket in value if he develops into the superstar many scouts envision. Even his base rookies from mainstream sets like Topps Series 1 and Update series hold solid long-term value and resale potential.
Another highly sought after rookie for 2023 is Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Xavier Edwards. Though he struggled somewhat in his initial MLB stint last season, Edwards remains one of the top prospects in what is arguably baseball’s best farm system. He possesses plus speed, contact skills, and defensive abilities that could make him a perennial all-star if everything clicks. Look for his prized autographed and memorabilia cards, as well as his base rookies, to be hot commodities in the trading card market even after a full season of production. His relatively low print runs in high-end products like Bowman Chrome also bode well for long-term appreciation.
Moving from prospects to established young stars, keep any cards showing off Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tyler Naquin. The 29-year-old Naquin broke out in a huge way in 2022 to the tune of a 19 home run, 70 RBI season while playing above average defense. As a late bloomer still in his prime, Naquin has the potential to continue producing at an all-star caliber pace for several more seasons. With his newfound fame and production, even his common base cards from 2022 could appreciate substantially with a repeat performance. The same applies to fellow breakout star Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, who possesses rookie cards from 2022 that could spike in value with another productive season at age 26.
For pitchers, focus on New York Mets flamethrower Max Scherzer. At age 38, Mad Max just posted one of the finest seasons of his Hall of Fame career and re-signed long-term with the Mets, making a run at 300 career wins seem attainable. Any vintage Scherzer rookies or relic cards from his earlier days with the Diamondbacks, Tigers, and Nationals could realize massive gains if he continues dominating well into his late 30s and early 40s. The same is true for Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan, who might be the ace of one of baseball’s top rotations for years after posting a 2.54 ERA as a 25-year-old in 2022.
Beyond active players, keep an eye out for prospects like Druw Jones of the Atlanta Braves, Jackson Holliday of the Baltimore Orioles, and Termarr Johnson of the Atlanta Braves. All three were top-five overall picks in the 2022 MLB Draft and could debut in 2023 if they continue mashing in the minors. Any autographed or memorabilia cards they sign in 2023 Bowman products are high-risk, high-reward long term investments if their development tracks align with lofty scouting projections. Just ask fans of Wander Franco how his prized Bowman Chrome draft year autos have exploded in value.
Focus collecting and long term holding of 2023 cards on emerging stars like Greene and Edwards, late bloomer breakouts like Naquin and Donovan, as well as aging legends like Scherzer who could cement their legacies. Factor in high-profile prospects Jones, Holliday, Johnson and beyond as well. Developing a balanced portfolio of such rookies, prospects, and proven veterans from the 2023 season positions your collecting portfolio for exponential long term appreciation as the MLB careers of these featured players continue to unfold in the seasons ahead. Apply a diversified, buy-and-hold approach to steadily build your stash of 2023 cardboard for maximum returns down the road.
