The 2023 Major League Baseball season brought with it a new crop of prized rookie cards and specialty inserts that collectors scrambled to obtain. While it’s still early, several 2023 cards have already established themselves as highly valuable based on strong early sales and interest from the hobby. Let’s take a look at some of the top baseball cards from 2023 that could end up appreciating significantly in value over the long run.
Perhaps the most sought-after rookie card of 2023 has been Grayson Rodriguez’s Topps Archives First Signature card. Rodriguez put together a dominant season split between Double-A and Triple-A in the Baltimore Orioles system, cementing his status as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. His autos and parallels from Topps Chrome, Topps Update, and Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects sold for big money throughout the year. It’s been his Archives First Signature parallel rainbow foil cards, of which only 10 were produced, that have shattered records. Multiple copies have sold for over $10,000, making this one of if not the most valuable MLB card released in 2023.
Another prized rookie who debuted in 2023 and produced flashy cards is Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan. While Kwan didn’t possess the prospect pedigree of some others, he stormed out of the gates by setting a MLB record with hits in his first 22 career at-bats. Kwan mania took off from there as he put together a strong campaign and established himself as a rising young star. His Topps Chrome and Bowman Autograph rookies became hot commodities overnight, with BGS/PSA 10 examples bringing four figures. Kwan’s Archives and Finest autograph parallels could be long-term blue chip cards in the making.
One of the most iconic MLB subsets that’s proven to produce investment-worthy hits is Topps Sapphire. The 2023 edition contained several stars, but shortstop Anthony Volpe’s Sapphire parallel rookie refractors really stood out. Volpe made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2023 as one of their top prospects, and his on-card auto sapphires flew off eBay shelves. Multiple PSA 10 sapphire Volpe autos hit $5,000 sales, projecting huge long-term potential as he develops further. The card’s elegant design combined with Volpe’s hype and Yankees fandom make this a vintage-style card to watch.
For collectors looking beyond rookies, Topps Finest offered several major star cards that could retain value. The parallel rainbow foil refractor autograph cards of superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto are always huge hits. But two cards in particular stood out – a /10 Francisco Lindor Finest auto refractor and a /5 Aaron Judge Finest auto refractor parallel. Lindor remains a elite shortstop signed long-term with the Mets, while Judge’s historic 2023 season with the Yankees where he broke the AL home run record cemented his superstar status. BGS/PSA 10 examples of these low-numbered Finest parallels changed hands for $3,000-$5,000 immediately.
Another frequently collectible insert set is Topps Definitive. This year’s short prints of Rafael Devers and Julio Rodriguez, two emerging young stars, found favor with collectors. While Rodriguez dealt with injuries in 2023, he remains a huge talent for Seattle, while Devers further established himself as one of MLB’s best young hitters for Boston this season. Early PSA 10 examples of their Definitive autos sold for $1,500 to serious PC collectors and investors. Look for those to appreciate steadily as their careers progress.
While rookies and stars drive the high-end baseball card market, collectors should also take note of emerging veterans who take their game to new heights and produce valuable inserts in the process. This year, Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II broke out with an All-Star season at age 21 and became one of the top rookies in baseball. His Archives auto parallels and Bowman Sapphire refractors gained steam and brought four figures for high-graded versions. If Harris continues developing, these early cards capturing his arrival could become long-term cornerstones.
In conclusion, 2023 saw several impressive rookie classes and breakout stars that fueled the baseball card investor market. While it’s still early, cards featuring Rodriguez, Kwan, Volpe, Ohtani, Soto, Judge, Lindor and more have already proven to be worth high prices based on the players’ talents and storylines. For collectors pursuing the next generation of blue chip cards, monitoring the careers and added demand for these 2023 releases over the coming years will be important. Done properly, building positions in top 2023 baseball cards presents an opportunity for long-term appreciation and profit potential.
