The 2023 Topps baseball card set introduced some of the most elite rookies and talent in recent memory. With names like Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto gracing packs, it’s no surprise that hobbyists cracked cases expecting fire. Now that the dust has settled on the release of Series 1, Update, and Heritage, let’s take a look at the cards that have skyrocketed in value to become among the most coveted and expensive from the flagship Topps brand this year.
Kicking off our list at #10 is a card that in less than one year has appreciated exponentially – Ohtani’s SP Variation from Series 1. Topps inserted parallel versions of star players into Series 1 that feature stunning silver signatures on-card. Few were more eye-catching than the dynamic duo of Shohei Ohtani, who in his 5th MLB season put together an unprecedented two-way season as both a dominant pitcher and fearsome slugger. With a print run likely under 100 copies, PSA 10 examples of this gorgeous silver signature Ohtani now sell for upwards of $3,000.
Claiming the #9 spot is a mega-prospect making waves for the Atlanta Braves organization – Michael Harris II’s Topps Chrome Red Refractor Parallel rookie card. Harris exploded onto the scene in 2022 by not only making the MLB roster out of spring training but cementing himself as an everyday starter and producing at a superstar level. The red parallel carries a print run even lower than the standard Topps Chrome issue, and with Harris looking like a perennial all-star and Gold Glover in the making, PSA 10s have reached $3,500.
Continuing our count down at #8 is a parallel that truly glows – Julio Rodriguez’s Topps Chrome Green Refractor rookie. J-Rod took Seattle by storm in his debut campaign, proving he has what it takes both at the plate and in the field to be a cornerstone player for the Mariners for years to come. The green parallel offers an emerald sheen that hypnotizes under a light source. Just 150 of these were produced, meaning mint examples over $4,000 are well within reason considering Rodriguez’s unlimited potential.
Cracking the top 7 is a card that is arguably the finest from the entire 2023 Topps series – Adley Rutschman’s Topps Chrome Black Refractor Parallel rookie. After years of hype and production in the minors, Rutschman finally got his shot with the Orioles in 2022 and showed why he is hailed as a possible all-time great catcher. The black parallel carries a print limit of just 10 copies, making each that appeared on the market a virtual trophy card. A PSA 10 recently pulled in a staggering $4,500 at auction.
At #6 sits Juan Soto’s major league debut from 2018 Topps Update. While not technically from the 2023 Topps set, Soto mania reached new heights after his monstrous start to the season followed by being flipped to the Padres in a blockbuster midseason trade. The National league’s leading run producer and one of the game’s premier young hitters, Soto is playing like a perennial MVP candidate. His rookie card has followed suit with PSA 10s of late demanding around $5,000.
Our halfway point features the #5 card – Shohei Ohtani’s Topps Flagship rookie rainbow foil parallel. The rainbow parallel inserts provided eye candy throughout Series 1 with color-shifted pictures appearing behind lightly tinted foils. None shined brighter than Ohtani’s, the bringer of two-way excitement and unique history as both an ace and force at the plate. With a print run under 50, mint Ohtani rainbow foil rookies in a PSA 10 slab will now set you back $5,500.
Dominating the #4 slot is perhaps the most hyped rookie of all from 2023 Topps – Julio Rodriguez’s standard issue card. At just 21-years-old, J-Rod earned AL Rookie of the Year honors with record-setting power and defense in centerfield for the Mariners. Topps packs were torn open in search of this iconic cardboard that perfectly captured Rodriguez’s joy, energy and promise. PSA 10’s can now buy you a nice used car at $6,000 a pop.
Stepping into the top 3 is a new phenom still in formation on the North Side of Chicago – Rafael Ortega’s Topps Chrome Red Refractor Parallel rookie pulls ahead at #3. Since being acquired from the Braves, Ortega has proven himself a table-setter at the top of the Cubs order with electric speed and a smooth left-handed swing. With his rookie year still ahead to further develop, this ultra-short print parallel looks primed for future appreciation beyond its current $6,500 price tag in gem condition.
The silver medalist card of 2023 comes courtesy of one of the game’s most dynamic talents in Ronald Acuña Jr. – his Topps Chrome X-fractor Parallel rookie takes the #2 spot. Despite injury concerns in 2022, Acuña Jr. has cemented himself as the face of the Braves franchise when on the field thanks to 50-homer power and elite baserunning skills. This fractor parallel takes the X-factor to luminous heights with its shimmering refractor technology, and with a print limit under 50, a PSA 10 has eclipsed $7,000.
And finally, taking the #1 spot as the most valuable Topps baseball card released this year is Shohei Ohtani’s Topps Chrome 1st Edition Green Refractor Parallel rookie. With all due respect to the other incredible rookies that debuted this year, Ohtani stands alone as arguably the most titanic force in the game today as a two-way force never before seen. His 1st bow from Topps Chrome shines radioactive green with just a reported 10 copies produced. The ultra-short print parallel encapsulated in a PSA 10 holder recently realized an astronomical $8,000 sum in an online auction.
So in summary – whether you’re a collector chasing history or an investor betting on future potential, Topps baseball cards from 2023 like Ohtani, Acuña Jr., Rodriguez and more offer compelling collectibles that hold real long-term value. With rookies like Rutschman, Harris and Soto also appearing poised for stardom, it’s an exciting time to be involved in the cards thanks to legendary talent making its cardboard debut.
