One of the most anticipated rookie cards to look for in 2023 baseball card sets will undoubtedly be Tampa Bay Rays shortstop and #1 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Jackson Holliday. Holliday had a phenomenal debut minor league season in 2022 where he slashed .317/.392/.596 with 15 home runs and 77 RBI in just 82 games split between rookie ball and Low-A. His pedigree as the #1 pick and son of former MLB All-Star Matt Holliday makes Holliday one of the most hyped prospects in baseball. His rooking cards in 2023 sets like Bowman Chrome, Topps Series 1/2, and Topps Chrome are virtually guaranteed to be hot items.
Another highly sought after rookie card in 2023 will be Baltimore Orioles catcher and #1 overall prospect in baseball Adley Rutschman. After making his MLB debut in 2022, Rutschman put together an impressive rookie campaign where he slashed .254/.362/.430 with 7 home runs in 264 at-bats. Rutschman solidified himself as a future star and will be one of, if not the most desirable Orioles cards in upcoming sets. Cards from his true rookie season like Topps Series 1/2, Chrome, Bowman, etc. will all have value.
2023 could also be a breakout year for Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Julio Rodriguez. After tearing things up in his first full season in Triple-A in 2021, Rodriguez debuted with the Mariners in late 2022 and showed why there is so much excitement around his potential. He slashed .267/.329/.483 with 6 home runs in 53 games. Assuming he builds on that in 2023 and establishes himself as a star, his 2023 rookie cards have the potential to gain tremendous value, especially if he wins awards or makes the All-Star team.
Some other top prospects who could debut in 2023 and havetheir rookie cards increase in value include catcher Gabriel Moreno (Blue Jays), shortstop Gunnar Henderson (Orioles), outfielder Estevan Florial (Yankees), and pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (Orioles). All four had outstanding seasons in the minors in 2022 and appear on the cusp of MLB stardom. Their rookie cards would be ones to watch out for from sets like Topps, Bowman, and Chrome.
Looking at active players instead of rookies, some veterans who could rebound in 2023 and see their cards rise include Giancarlo Stanton, Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, and Trea Turner. Stanton, Jimenez and Robert all dealt with injuries that limited their production in 2022, so a clean bill of health and return to All-Star form would increase interest in their cards. Meanwhile, Trea Turner remains one of the best pure hitters in baseball and continuing to rake as the new face of the Phillies could drive collectors towards his 2023 issues.
Mike Trout remains the undisputed king as one of the best and most desirable active players. Even in down seasons due to injury, his cards hold tremendous value. A return to AL MVP-caliber production in 2023 could see renewed interest, especially for flagship cards from Topps like base, short prints, autographs, and relics. Fellow superstars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. are also two to watch as they continue their comeback trails from injury next season. Strong performances from them could elevate their cardboard.
On the pitching side, cards of Jacob deGrom, Shane Bieber, Luke Weaver and Lance McCullers Jr. are ones to watch. All are aces when healthy, but injuries have hampered their production in recent years. Roaring back as All-Stars could translate to collectors pursuing their 2023 issued cards at higher rates. Meanwhile, young hurlers like MacKenzie Gore, Hunter Greene and George Kirby could all be primed for their own breakouts that drive card markets.
In terms of sets themselves, Topps Series 1 and Topps Chrome are usually the hottest releases that move the needle most in the hobby during their release windows. But Bowman 1st Edition and Bowman Draft are two sets in particular to watch in the first half, as they will feature the debut rookie cards of top prospects drafted and signed from the 2022 class like Jackson Holliday and Druw Jones. Those cards often gain value quickly based on prospect performance over the summer. And Topps Finest and Ultra are two high-end showcases that typically feature big hits collectors chase after in the second half.
Factors like player performance, award races, milestones such as 300 wins or 600 home runs, playoff performances and more will all influence how individual player cards trend. But this overview highlights some of the core names and sets to keep an eye on in 2023 that could present collectors opportunities. There figures to be no shortage of exciting new rookies, as well veteran risers and superstar performers over the coming year.
