The 2023 Topps baseball card set was recently released and there are always certain rookie cards, autograph cards, and parallels that hold significant value. While it’s still quite early and the market is developing, here are some of the cards from the base set and additional inserts that seem primed to gain value over time.
One of the cards that usually gains value the quickest is any scarce parallel or short-print of a top rookie player. In the 2023 Topps set, cards of rookies like Grayson Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., Adley Rutschman, and Druw Jones all have parallels and short-prints that could become quite valuable if the player emerges as a star. Some key parallels and short-prints to watch for value increases of those rookies include the Gold /2022 parallels, Rainbow Foil parallels, Black parallel, and any card with a print run under 100 copies.
Autograph cards tend to rise in value significantly for star players even within the first few years after release. Top rookie autograph cards to watch closely from 2023 Topps include Grayson Rodriguez, Adley Rutschman, Bobby Witt Jr., and Druw Jones. Premium autographs like on-card autographs, logoman autographs, or 1/1 printing plates could gain value rapidly for those top prospects if they succeed in the majors. Established star autographs that seem likely to gain value include cards of players like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Mike Trout, and other elite talents.
Base cards of superstar players long ago usually start to gain steady value as supplies get purchased by collectors. Cards like a Mike Trout base rookie or any base cards from his early years will continue ticking up in price. The same goes for vintage cards of established legends that get pulled out of circulation. High-grade PSA/BGS versions of iconic cards from the past like Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, and others can spike in value when a rare pristine example hits the market.
Parallel cards are always a wildcard for gaining value. Short-print, serial-numbered parallels of elite players could experience jumps in price on the secondary market. Serial-numbered parallels under 10 copies for premium stars seem poised to eventually become quite valuable. Rainbow foil, negative refractors, 1/1 printing plates or any other ultra-short parallel carry value potential tied to the player’s performance.
Autograph and memorabilia cards of retired legends are strong investments that gain value each year. Rare autograph or relic cards of no longer living stars like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Bob Gibson and more will only increase in collector demand as their careers recede further into history. With limited supplies, vintage autographs and relic cards tied to iconic players decades after their retirement are virtually guaranteed to appreciate over the long haul.
When considering 2023 Topps cards that have potential to significantly gain value, focus on short-print and parallel rookie cards of promising prospects like Grayson Rodriguez and Druw Jones. Autograph cards for those rookies and star veterans also offer upside. Base cards of all-time greats and valuable parallels/relics/inserts of retired legends are wise long-term holds. By understanding these factors, savvy investors can identify 2023 Topps cards to purchase now and hold for profitable returns down the road. The cards just need time, performance and collector demand to drive their secondary market values upwards in the years ahead.
