As the 2023 MLB season gets underway, collectors are turning their attention to the coming year’s rookie class and top young stars in pursuit of the hottest new baseball cards. While no one can predict the future, there are several players whose rookie cards or particularly strong seasons in 2022 have collectors excited about their potential to produce valuable memorabilia in the year ahead.
At the top of many lists for 2023 are the rookies of Texas Rangers shortstop and 2020 number-one overall draft pick Jack Leiter and Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene. Both players made their MLB debuts in 2022 and showed flashes of stardom that have driven early interest in their rookie cards. Leiter, the son of former MLB pitcher Al Leiter, put on dominant displays on the mound as a 21-year-old, striking out 21 batters in his first four big-league starts. Meanwhile, Greene brought speed, power, and patience to the plate as one of baseball’s top-rated prospects finally got his chance in Detroit. Their flagship Topps Chrome rookie cards from 2022 have already risen sharply in secondary market price and more gains are expected as they continue to develop.
Another hot rookie to watch is Tampa Bay Rays catcher and 2019 number-one overall pick Adley Rutschman. After years of hype, Rutschman made his own MLB debut in late May of 2022 and immediately started turning heads with his advanced all-around game. Still just 25 years old himself, Rutschman has already assumed an leadership role for the youthful Rays and possesses the type of rare hitting and defensive skills behind the plate that could make him a perennial All-Star and the future face of the franchise. His rookie campaign likely means a big jump in secondary value for any of his 2022 Topps issue cards next season.
Beyond the rookies, Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez headlines the young stars already making a name in the big leagues. The 21-year-old Rodriguez turned in a breakout campaign in 2022 that saw him named American League Rookie of the Year. He brought elite power, speed, and energy to Seattle’s lineup and anchored their surprising run to the postseason. His phenomenal rookie season has skyrocketed the price ofany parallels, autographs, or memorabilia cards from this past year and collectors expect that momentum to continue into 2023 as he establishes himself as a true superstar. Cards from Topps, Bowman, Panini, and others profile this year could see significant appreciation.
Another player on the rise is 24-year-old St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman. After a mid-season callup in 2022, Gorman showed plus raw power and an advanced offensive approach that could make him an MVP candidate for years to come in the NL Central. His rookie cards gained steam late last year and prices are expected to climb even higher if he achieves stardom in 2023. Similarly, 24-year-old Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Alec Bohm saw a breakout season in 2022 and his leadership as a team leader could result in future All-Star nods that drive the secondary values of 2018 Bowman Chrome Autographs and other early issue cards featuring this rising talent.
For pitchers, Los Angeles Angels two-way Phenom Shohei Ohtani is always among the biggest names in the hobby. After back-to-back AL MVP awards, Ohtani has cemented himself as a true baseball unicorn and collector favorite regardless of language barriers. While his early cards hold immense value already, any new parallels, autographs, or memorabilia featuring the 28-year from this season or next may attract serious dollars. Elsewhere, Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander looks reborn after returning from Tommy John surgery to win the American League Cy Young Award at age-39. His vintage rookie cards from decades ago are valuable already, but new 2022-23 issues chronicling his later-career resurgence as a Hall of Famer in the making could also gain collector attention.
Breakout offensive seasons in 2022 by Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II and Seattle Mariners outfielder/DH Eugenio Suarez have many optimistic about their futures as well. Harris, 21, and Suarez, 30, both put up All-Star caliber numbers for playoff teams and could be candidates for improved stats, awards, and future induction to high-dollar products like Topps Chrome and Bowman’s Best that spike collector demand. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez is poised for a full return from injury having shown 60-grade power potential in the past. A bounceback campaign revealing that promise again could supercharge interest in his early Topps flagship and Bowman issue cards from 2017-2019.
Looking beyond individual players, collectors are also optimistic about vintage team sets and uniform updates that could gain widespread popularity. Topps flagship and Allen & Ginter are expected to feature a new Boston Red Sox green alternate uniform that has already drawn throwback comparisons. Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners debuted a classic trident “M” logo this year that some see gaining retro appeal akin to the Atlanta Braves “Screamer.” Overseas artists like Topps Hong Kong, Panini Italy, and Maximum Japan often produce short-printed parallels and inserts depicting these fun uniform tweaks months before domestic brands as well.
While no one has a crystal ball to predict performance, injuries, or unforeseen events – 2023 shapes up as another exciting year full of cards featuring burgeoning young stars, established veterans, fun uniform nods to the past, and nostalgia-inducing recollections of past seasons’ successes and surprises. Between rookies looking to make names for themselves, Ohtani continuing to dominate in new ways, and teams adopting fan-favorite throwbacks, there is plenty of potential for cards produced throughout next year to attract intense collector demand that drives the ever-growing baseball card market to new heights.
