The 2023 Topps baseball card set is one of the most highly anticipated releases each year. With a brand new design and some promising rookie cards, there are several cards from the upcoming Series 1 release that look like smart investments heading into next season. It’s important to do thorough research, stay diversified, and be aware of risks when investing in any collectibles.
One of the top prospects for 2023 Topps is catcher Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles. As the top overall pick in the 2019 draft and number one prospect in baseball, Rutschman has huge hype surrounding him. He had a strong debut in 2022 and will enter his first full big league season in 2023. Look for his base rookies to gain value if he performs well. His autographs and parallels could appreciate substantially with an All-Star caliber year. Rutschman is one of the safest rookie bets.
Another catcher to watch is Diego Cartaya from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cartaya cracked the top 100 prospect lists last year and projects to be an impact bat eventually. With elite power and potential for 20-HR seasons in the majors, Cartaya will be one to follow in the minors in 2023. His rookie cards are quite affordable now and hold promise if he continues developing his all-around game. But he carries more risk than Rutschman as further removed from the bigs.
On the pitching side, one of the more elite prospects is Grayson Rodriguez of the Baltimore Orioles. Rodriguez has electric stuff with a mid-to-upper 90s fastball and nasty curveball. He made his MLB debut in 2022 and looks ready for a full-time rotation spot in 2023. His cards have already begun appreciating on the hype surrounding his talent. Rodriguez carries some injury risk, but he’s a potential ace and all-star if he stays healthy long-term.
Another pitcher to target is Tampa Bay Rays hurler Taj Bradley. Although not as renowned of a prospect as Rodriguez, Bradley vaulted up prospect rankings last year with lights-out performance in the minors. With a deep Rays system, he may not debut until 2024, but his stuff is more than ready. Bradley carries some risk as a ‘sleeper’ prospect, but has potential for high returns if he emerges as expected.
Beyond prospects, it’s also worth considering established young stars who could take their games to new heights. Cards of Wander Franco (TB), Bobby Witt Jr. (KC), Julio Rodriguez (SEA), and Jonathan India (CIN) all look like solid long-term investments. While they come with less volatility than prospects, these players each have All-Star/MVP caliber upside if they continue progressing. Their rookie cards remain affordable now and have room to appreciate significantly.
Along with studying prospects and young talent, don’t overlook possible bounce-back candidates. Players like Kris Bryant (COL), Giancarlo Stanton (NYY), and Marcus Semien (TEX) all dealt with injuries or down seasons in 2022 but have proven track records when healthy. Their 2020/2021 rookies or parallels have dipped in value and hold resale potential if they regain all-star form. There is inherent risk betting on bounce-backs, but also potential for 5x+ returns.
When considering any 2023 Topps investments, do your research on a player’s talent, situation, medicals, and competition for playing time. Stay diversified across several prospects and avoid going all-in on any single one. Authentic vintage hobby boxes hold less volatility than modern singles/repacks as well. And always keep a long-term 5-10 year mindset – that’s generally how long it takes for prospects to pan out or rookies to appreciate significantly. With patience and study, 2023 Topps provides several opportunities for savvy investors to grow their baseball portfolios.
While prospects like Rutschman, Rodriguez and Bradley offer early potential, also consider building balanced exposure to young stars and buy-low bounce-back candidates. Approach 2023 Topps investments with thorough research, risk mitigation, and patience for long-term upside. By choosing wisely across the prospects, rookies, and veterans highlighted here, savvy collectors have a strong chance to profit on the next generation of baseball greats they can find in the upcoming flagship release. Remember that investing in collectibles always carries risk, so stay diversified across several parallel positions. With research and care, 2023 Topps may yield considerable returns for discerning investors.
