The 2023 Topps baseball card release is one of the most highly anticipated issues in recent memory. As the baseball card hobby continues to skyrocket in popularity,coveted rookie cards and star player inserts hold tremendous value for savvy collectors and investors. While it’s impossible to predict exactly which 2023 Topps cards will ultimately prove to be the most valuable long term, here’s a look at some of the strong candidates based on what we know so far:
Julio Rodríguez Rookie Card – The consensus top prospect coming into the 2022 season, Rodríguez had a phenomenal rookie campaign that landed him second place in AL Rookie of the Year voting. His explosive 5-tool talent and marketing potential make his Topps rookie cards an instant must-have. Look for his base rookie, paper rookie, and especially short print variations to lead the way value-wise from Series 1.
Bobby Witt Jr. Rookie Card – Like Rodríguez last year, Witt exceeded enormous expectations with a stellar debut for the Royals in 2022. Widely considered the top hitting prospect in baseball, Witt’s exciting two-way play and marketability point to his Topps rookies retaining value. With fewer Witt cards in Series 1 compared to Rodríguez, scarce parallels could gain premium.
Oneil Cruz Rookie Card – Cruz saw only a September cup of coffee in 2022, but electrified fans with mammoth home runs in a breakout showing. Now entrenched as the Pirates’ everyday shortstop, Cruz’s potential for stardom makes his Topps rookie cards a must-have for collectors. Print runs may be larger than Witt or Rodríguez, but Cruz remains a dark horse for future value.
Adley Rutschman Rookie Card – After a long wait, Rutschman arrived in the majors in 2022 and showed why he’s considered a future superstar. As the Orioles continue improving, demand for Rutschman’s Topps rookie cards will stay hot. While less scarce initially than previous prospects, Rutschman parallels still hold future blue-chip status.
Riley Greene Rookie Card – Overshadowed by Rodriguez’s hype, Greene had a impressive debut season of his own with the Tigers. With huge upside still untapped, Greene’s Topps rookies are primed to gain over the long haul as his skills develop. Short prints could carry extra value for those who believe in his long term outlook.
Jordan Walker Rookie Card – The Cardinals’ top prospect has all five tools and is generating loads of buzz entering 2023. While he may start in the minors, Walker’s talent level has collectors eager to snap up his Topps rookie cards before a likely midseason callup. Riskier than the others here, but huge reward potential if he blossoms.
Spencer Strider Rookie Card – The dominant Braves rookie came out of nowhere in 2022 to lead all rookies in strikeouts. Strider’s overpowering stuff makes his Topps rookie cards a buy for those bullish on his future as a staff ace. Larger print run than past years, but parallel short prints still prized by Atlanta collectors.
Nolan Gorman Rookie Card – Staking his claim as the Cardinals’ everyday third baseman in the second half, Gorman showed why he was once a top 10 prospect. If he takes another step forward in 2023, Gorman’s Topps rookies could see renewed interest from collectors seeking his singles and color parallels.
Oneil Cruz Rainbow Foil Printing Plate – The 1/1 super short print plates featuring current stars in dazzling rainbow foil are always coveted collectors pieces. With his mammoth raw power and Pirates’ franchise player intrigue, Cruz’s plate promises to be a true blue-chip item for years to come assuming he keeps ascending.
Sandy Alcantara Autograph Card – At 27, Alcantara isn’t a prospect anymore after his dominant 2022 NL Cy Young campaign. But his Topps autographed Insert cards remain a collector favorite. Considered Miami’s cornerstone, Alcantara’s star continues rising rapidly.
Wander Franco Autograph Insert – Franco emerged as a true superstar as a 21-year-old in 2023, finishing third in AL batting. Any autographed cards featuring the young Rays’ phenom are sure to hold steady future value thanks to his franchise cornerstone status and marketing excellence.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Reinsert Card – Coming back slowly from ACL surgery, Acuna reminded fans of his 5-tool brilliance down the stretch for Atlanta. His reemergence makes any 2023 Topps inserts or parallels featuring the 25-year-old Braves’ stud a sound long term investment for collectors bullish on his full return to stardom.
Mike Trout Insert Autograph – Perhaps the only modern player who truly rivals Mickey Mantle in popularity and iconic status, any Trout autographed cards always retain value through market forces alone. At just 31 with a Hall of Fame trajectory intact, Trout will likely remain a grading and collecting bellwether for years to come.
Shohei Ohtani Printing Plate – The current standard bearer for two-way excellence in the game, Ohtani captivates fans worldwide. His 1/1 printing plates have become premium collectors items. Back-to-back AL MVPs cement Ohtani’s status as a generational talent primed to gain value over time alongside Babe Ruth and others.
Aaron Judge Rainbow Foil Refractor – In a contract year, Judge put together a for the ages 62 home run campaign to finally fulfill his potential. With a strong case as the game’s top player, the 30-year-old Yankees’ slugger’s rare refractor parallels command huge fanfare and dollars. A true superstar in the making.
Of course, there will inevitably be surprises and risers that emerge from the 2023 Topps series that weren’t on anyone’s radar beforehand. But based on current prospects, performances and popularity, the above names feature some of the safest best long term the value of their coveted rookie cards, autographs and parallels in the upcoming flagship release and beyond. With the card market’s continued growth, Topps cards of top young stars and current greats profile as sound investments for patient collectors.
