One of the most exciting rookies to collect in 2023 will be Tampa Bay Rays shortstop and top prospect Xavier Edwards. Edwards has all the tools to be a future star and his Bowman Chrome prospects cards from 2022 could really take off in value next year if he has a strong debut season in the majors. Keep an eye out for any of his first Rays cards to hit the market in sets like Topps Series 1.
Another highly coveted rookie class is headlined by Druw Jones, the son of 5-time All-Star Andruw Jones. Druw was selected second overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2022 draft and is considered one of the top prospects in baseball. Collectors will be hunting for any Jones rookie cards available in 2023 Bowman offerings and Topps series sets. His autographed and memorabilia cards will be very scarce and could rapidly gain value over time if he fulfills his potential in the pros.
For collectors chasing iconic veterans, guys like Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, and Justin Verlander may be suiting up for their final Major League seasons in 2023. While not worth as much as rookies usually, their last year cards could acquire sentimental value in the future. Pujols in particular will draw plenty of attention as he closes in on 700 career home runs. Notable parallels, memorabilia cards, and autographs from their potential “swan song” campaigns could become must-have pieces in collector portfolios.
Mike Trout fans will want to watch out for any special issues featuring the nearly unanimously recognized best player in baseball. Trout has still not won a World Series title yet in his career so a championship season in 2023 could really send values of his cards from that year skyrocketing, especially if he has an epic playoff run. Any 1/1 parallels, autographs cards, or unique memorabilia pieces printed of Trout next season may prove to be incredible long term investments.
Rookies like Druw Jones will get plenty of the spotlight but breakout years from younger players could make some under-the-radar names very desirable collectibles as well. Any player who has a surprise All-Star caliber season at age 25 or younger may start to see early career cards start to get more recognition in the hobby. Players like Bobby Witt Jr. in Kansas City, Gavin Lux in LA, and Oneil Cruz in Pittsburgh are some names whose cards could spike if they establish themselves as rising stars next season.
In the pitching department, two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani will always attract plenty of collector attention regardless of how his numbers look. But a true CY Young caliber season from someone like MacKenzie Gore, George Kirby, or Dylan Cease could turn their affordable prospects cards from years past into valuable long term keepsakes from before their breakouts occurred. The same logic applies to young positional players like Nico Hoerner, Christian Pache or Jonathan India who are primed for statistical leap years.
You can never go wrong stocking up on top prospects set for their MLB debuts like Jackson Holliday, Druw’s Diamondbacks teammate and 2022’s #1 overall pick. Top international 16-year-olds like switching-hitting shortstop Mauro Jimenez and Dominican outfielder Geraldin Del Rosario will begin to appear in sets as well. Rookie cards, especially autographs, of the next wave of rising stars are usually reasonably priced in their first release years.
The 2023 season offers collectors opportunities to obtain rookie cards of future phenoms like Xavier Edwards and Druw Jones. It also provides a chance to acquire potentially valuable “swan song” cards from all-time great veterans. Autographed and rare parallels of superstars like Mike Trout could also pay off big if he brings playoff success. And breakouts from emerging young talent may create some unexpected gems from prior years as well. With so many storylines to follow, 2023 looks to be a fun year to discover the next household names in the hobby.
