USA Baseball Cards 2023: Examining the New Crop of Young Talent
The 2023 baseball season will mark another year of elite young prospects making their debuts in Major League Baseball. While rookies like Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez, and Spencer Torkelson took the MLB by storm in 2022, an exciting new class of prospects are projected to reach the Show in 2023. This includes several USA-born position players and pitchers who are generating excitement and intrigue among collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top American prospects who could receive baseball cards as rookies in 2023.
Druw Jones (OF, Atlanta Braves) – As the number two overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, many see Jones as the top prospect in all of baseball entering 2023. The son of former All-Star outfielder Andruw Jones, Druw has five-tool potential with game-changing speed, power, and defense in center field. After batting .340 with 16 home runs as a prep senior, Jones will likely start his pro career in A-ball. His jersey number and cards will be some of the most sought-after of any 2023 rookie.
Termarr Johnson (SS, Atlanta Braves) – Though he slipped to the fourth round due to signability concerns, Johnson possesses elite bat-to-ball skills and offensive ceiling. In his senior high school season, Johnson hit .586 with 19 homers and was named national high school player of the year. His disciplined approach and smooth left-handed swing could see him move up prospect rankings quickly. Johnson’s rookie cards could be a steal given his immense offensive potential.
Kyle Harrison (LHP, San Francisco Giants) – The seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft out of DeLaSalle High School (CA), Harrison blew scouts away with a mid-90s fastball and plus slider as a prep pitcher. Already showing feel for three pitches at age 19, Harrison could start his pro career in full-season ball due to his polish. With frontline starter upside, Harrison’s cards could appreciate greatly if he rises through the minors quickly.
Mickey Moniak (OF, Philadelphia Phillies) – After several years of hype, it’s now or never for Moniak to realize his potential in 2023. The 2016 top overall pick has dealt with injuries but hit .306 with 18 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in 2022. Now out of options at age 24, Moniak will compete for an everyday job in Phillies outfield in spring training. A breakout season could make his rookie cards a bargain.
Jackson Holliday (SS, Colorado Rockies) – As the 2021 number one overall draft pick, Holliday enters his first full pro season with as much fanfare as any prospect. The left-handed hitting son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, Jackson batted .685 with 29 extra-base hits as a high school senior. Now 19, Holliday will look to rise quickly through Rockies farm system with precocious all-around hitting skills.
Emerson Hancock (RHP, Seattle Mariners) – The Pirates selected Hancock sixth overall in 2020 partly due to his cutter and changeup, but arm injuries hampered his first two pro seasons. Now fully healthy, Hancock’s mid-90s fastball with sinking action and two plus off-speed pitches give him frontline starter ceiling. A strong season transitioning to Mariners system could make Hancock’s 2020Bowman Draftpaper cards a wise investment.
Ethan Wilson (OF, Detroit Tigers) – Though he lasted until round four of the 2020 draft, Wilson turned heads by hitting .402 during his junior season at South Carolina in 2022. The left-handed hitting outfielder showcased extra-base pop and excellent hand-eye skills over three college seasons. Given his polish and experience, Wilson could rocket up prospect boards with a full healthy season in Tigers system. His 2020 Bowman Draft cards could pay dividends.
Chick Gentzlaff (RHP, Tampa Bay Rays) – The fireballing righty generated buzz leading up to the 2022 draft by averaging 95-97 mph with his fastball in his senior season at Lake Brantley High School (FL). Gentzlaff ended up falling to the Rays in round five but has three above-average pitches and projection to add velocity. Rays development track record suggests Gentzlaff could rise quickly with improved control and off-speed pitch command.
Cade Horton (RHP, Chicago Cubs) – The Oklahoma prep standout fell to the Cubs at pick seven in the 2022 draft but held his own at All-American Baseball Factory against top hitters last summer. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Horton’s fastball sits 93-96 mph with late life and a power curveball gives him present two-pitch mix. Horton’s above-average control and athleticism bode well for workhorse starter projection if he continues developing additional pitches.
Ezequiel Tovar (SS, Colorado Rockies) – Signed out of Venezuela in 2019, Tovar more than held his own as a 19-year-old in High-A ball in 2022 by batting .317 with 13 home runs. Tovar possesses an advanced approach at the plate, above-average speed, and solid-average defensive skills at shortstop. Given his skill level already in full-season ball, a continued surge could see the lefty-hitting Tovar emerge as a top overall prospect.
Drew Thorpe (LHP, Boston Red Sox) – A third-round pick out of Cal Poly in 2022, Thorpe features a 90-94 mph fastball and plus slider with swing-and-miss capabilities. Despite standing only 6-foot-1, Thorpe holds his velocity deep into starts and attacks hitters with a deceptive delivery. Given his arm strength and four-pitch mix, Thorpe looks poised to move quickly if he commands his stuff consistently against pro hitters.
Brooks Lee (3B, San Diego Padres) – The 2021 second overall pick out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo exploded onto scene in 2022 by batting .326 with 21 home runs between Low-A and High-A. Lee shows advanced hitting abilities from both sides of plate with gap power that could develop into 20-homer potential. An athletic 6-foot-4 frame with soft hands at third base offers multiple avenues to success.
The 2023 season promises to bring more top American prospects to the MLB stage and hungry collectors to the baseball card market. Keep an eye on these standouts, as their professional debuts and emergence could make early investment in their rookie cards highly profitable down the road. With increased national coverage of prospects and the non-stop card boom, 2023 USA baseball rookies may end up being some of the hottest commodities in hobby.
