The release of a new baseball card series is always an exciting time for collectors. Topps baseball cards have been documenting every MLB season for over 70 years now. On December 12th, 2022 Topps will be releasing their Series 1 packs for the 2023 season, kicking off another year of capture players, rookies, and moments from America’s pastime.
Series 1 is usually the first main baseball card release each calendar year from Topps. It provides the first chance to find rookie cards and base cards showing players in their current uniforms from the upcoming season. The release of Series 1 2023 will be particularly anticipated after two fascinating MLB seasons in 2021 and 2022 that saw many exciting storylines and player movement between teams. Fans will be eager to see how Topps documents these changes in photography and short write-ups on the front of each card.
Some names collectors will be hunting rookie cards and debut cards for in Series 1 2023 include catchers Adley Rutschman (Orioles), catcher/OF Gabriel Moreno (Blue Jays), OF Esteury Ruiz (Padres), 3B Jordan Walker (Cardinals), SP Grayson Rodriguez (Orioles), SP Shane Baz (Rays) and more. The true top rookie chase cards may end up being Oakland A’s SS Max Muncy and Detroit Tigers SP Joey Wentz assuming they make their MLB debuts early in 2023. Rookie cards are always some of the most desirable pulls in a new Series release and help shape the long term value of the set.
In addition to rookies, collectors will want to carefully inspect each Series 1 card for photo anduniform updates showing players with their new teams. Some notable player moves between 2022 and 2023 that Topps cards will reflect include Freddie Freeman joining the Dodgers, Carlos Correa signing with the Twins, Japanese star Masataka Yoshida joining the Red Sox, Luis Castillo traded to the Mariners and Juan Soto and Josh Bell heading to the Padres in a blockbuster deadline deal. Topps does an excellent job of selecting context-rich action photography that makes each card an instant snapshot of that particular season.
Aside from standard base cards, hobby boxes of Series 1 2023 are expected to contain several popular parallel and short print insert sets at lower odds. Popular parallels from past years that may return include Gold Foil (#/2021), Mother’s Day Pink (#/50), Father’s Day Blue, Independence Day Red White & Blue and more design variations. Popular short print inserts in recent years like Living Legend Signatures, League Leaders, League Top Prospects, Topps Now Moments From the Playoffs and Topps Archives also provide collectors fun hits to chase outside the base rookie class. These short prints and parallels are what really drive interest in breaks, breaks and high-end purchases of full series 1 sets.
The release of Series 1 also marks the beginning of the flagship Topps Chrome release cycle. Chrome is an extremely popular parallel product due to its vivid photography, smooth refractory card surfaces and history of housing some of the most valuable modern rookie cards. Series 1 Chrome is anticipated to hit stores in late January 2023 continuing Topps’ trend of a 6 week cadence between their main flagship and Chrome releases. Chrome will feature the exact same base rookie class photography and short print inserts but in a more premium foilboard package.
Topps has also continued to expand their digital platforms and offerings in recent years. The Series 1 release will coincide with the launch of the 2023 Topps MLB app which allows collectors to build virtual sets, trade cards and participate in daily “hits” for physical redemption cards. The Topps BUNT, HANGER and SLAM apps will also showcase Series 1 rookies, base cards and inserts in virtual form. For collectors who prefer physical cards but want easier access Topps also sells “blasters” of Series 1 in retail stores nationwide and online.
The release of Topps 2023 Baseball Series 1 on December 12th marks the official start of the new collecting season. Whether buying packs, boxes or building a set online – this exciting flagship release from Topps provides the first glimpse of the upcoming MLB campaign on trading cards while allowing collectors to chase iconic rookie cards that could gain value for decades. Series 1 is truly the foundation upon which the entire modern baseball card season is built.
