Topps is gearing up to release their highly anticipated 2023 Opening Day Baseball card set in late February or early March, continuing their long run as the official MLB trading card license holder. The Opening Day set has become a modern classic for baseball card collectors looking to get their hands on the first cardboard renditions of players for the new season.
This year’s edition is sure to be another highly sought after release from Topps, with collectors eagerly awaiting to see who makes the cut for the base card checklist and which rookie phenoms receive coveted rookie cards after strong showings in 2022. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about the upcoming Topps 2023 Opening Day release below.
Base Card Checklist and Parallels
Topps usually includes around 300 players on the base card checklist for their Opening Day set each year. This provides a solid sampling of the biggest names and best performers from both the American and National Leagues. Rosters will likely be finalized based on how the 2022 season concluded. Expect household names like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, and Fernando Tatis Jr. to anchor the checklist.
In addition to the base parallel, Topps also produces a variety of parallels and short printed cards to chase. Recent Opening Day sets have included Sapphire, Gold, Rainbow Foil, Atomic Refractors, and Gold Label parallels. Topps also usually sneaks in around 10 Autograph or Memorabilia cards that are extremely difficult to pull. Overall print runs range from 10,000-20,000 cards per parallel type and player.
Rookie Cards and Prospect Autographs
Every year, the Topps Opening Day release provides collectors their first glimpse at the official Topps rookie cards for the most hyped young players who broke into the majors the previous season. Names like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Spencer Strider from the 2022 rookie class are sure to be hot ticket pulls.
Topps also uses Opening Day as an opportunity to showcase some of the best prospects still in the minor leagues with enticing autograph and memorabilia cards. Cards featuring prospects like Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez, and Oneil Cruz before they made their MLB debuts hold significant long term value for collectors. These hard signed, on-card autographs from top prospects are rarely over 5000 copies.
Baseball Card Design and Photo Quality
Opening Day cards have come to feature some of the most beautifully designed and highest quality photography in the entire baseball card industry each year. Topps pulls out all the stops to create elegant yet classic looking cards worthy of one of the first major card releases of the new season.
Elements like foilStamp logos, custom designed borders highlighting each player’s team, vivid action shots or crisp portraits all come together in a cohesive visual package every year. Topps has also taken steps in recent years to use higher resolution photography fit for the modern collector. Flawless scans coupled with state-of-the-art color correction make each image pop off the card.
Initial Release and Hobby Box Contents
When Topps first unleashes the 2023 Opening Day set on the marketplace, collectors can expect a robust release with several associated products other than just loose packs and boxes. Hobby boxes which usually retail between $85-$100 contain either 12 or 24 packs with each pack carrying around 5-7 cards. Inserts and parallels are dispersed throughout the box at designated ratios.
Additional release options may include blaster boxes, fat packs, value packs, memorable moments packs highlighting big plays from the previous season, and exclusive tradeable Team Boxes for each MLB franchise containing guaranteed hits and parallels. Opening Day Retail Mega boxes are also a popular way to enjoy ripping packs without breaking the bank.
Resale Market and Long Term Value
In the weeks and months following an initial surge after the release date as collectors rip packs feverishly, the resale market for particularly rare and desirable 2023 Topps Opening Day cards heat up. Rookie autographs, star memorabilia relics, and low numbered parallels usually command the highest prices on the secondary market. Even common base cards from the set hold value as interest and demand outlasts the initial print run.
Ten to twenty years from now, a well-preserved collection of Topps 2023 Opening Day cards could provide an interesting snapshot from that period. Early cards of burgeoning superstars or historically significant performers will likely carry premiums. But the set as a whole holds charm as an accessible doorway for collectors into the yearly ritual of anticipation that Opening Day brings each season.
That covers all the major details collectors need to know about the upcoming premiere release from Topps to kick off the 2023 baseball card season. With intricate designs, a star-studded checklist, and the first looks at high profile rookies, Topps Opening Day is sure to excite the hobby yet again this year. Stay tuned for the official on-sale date in late February or early March to add these modern classics to your collection.
