The 2023 Topps Baseball card set is sure to feature many exciting rookie cards and top player cards worth keeping an eye out for. With the rise of many talented young stars in MLB, the rookie class in the upcoming flagship Topps set looks very promising. Here are some of the top rookies and featured players whose cards collectors will want to target:
One of the most sought-after rookie cards without a doubt will be Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker. The 21-year-old was called up late in 2022 and immediately impressed with his monster power. Walker smashed 5 home runs in just 30 at-bats and looks poised for stardom. His rookie card autographs and parallels will sell for big money. Other high-profile rookies to watch for include Diamondbacks catcher Druw Jones, the number 2 pick in 2022 who also shows five-tool talent; Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. who had a stellar rookie campaign; Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez who finished second in ROY voting; and Twins righty Joe Ryan who looks like a future ace.
On the veteran side, superstar cards of Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Juan Soto will continue to demand high prices. But some other established names who could see rising value in 2023 include Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt after his huge NLCS performance; Dodgers player/manager Clayton Kershaw as he eyes another World Series run in what could be his final season; and Yankees slugger Aaron Judge as he tries to follow up his record-breaking 62 home run season. Top rookies and rising young talent like Braves outfielder Michael Harris II and Mariners pitcher George Kirby also have cards that should retain and gain value long-term.
Autographs and memorabilia cards will also hold significant value. Top young talents like Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez, and Druw Jones could have 1/1 autographs listed for thousands. Mike Trout, who just signed a record-setting extension, will remain one of the most coveted auto chase cards. Other autographed veterans like Clayton Kershaw, Nolan Arenado, and Mookie Betts command high prices. Rare game-used memorabilia cards of star players selling for hundreds are also must-haves. Number parallel cards like the prizm yellow /10 or gold /5 varieties of the biggest names will attract serious collectors.
Topps update series cards released mid-season also feature emerging players who break out. Top performers from the 2023 season like Reds catcher Elly De La Cruz or Twins outfielder Matt Wallner could jump on the scene and have their updated cards gain significant value if they continue producing. International prospects signing big money deals with MLB clubs may also receive cards before playing stateside that could hold longterm worth.
In terms of packs and boxes to seek out for the best odds, the standard 132-card base set will remain affordable to complete but lack big hits. The higher-end jumbo boxes with extra packs and guarantees of autographed or numbered refractors hold potential for career-changing finds. Collector’s boxes with rare serial-numbered parallels or autograph cards of stars are pricey but could pay dividends long-term. The Hobby exclusive Chrome and Chrome Update packs that contain prisms and refractor parallels of the game’s brightest talents should not be overlooked.
With so much new young talent bursting onto the MLB landscape and established veterans etching their names deeper into record books, the 2023 Topps Baseball card set promises to commemorate another historic season and feature many cards that will stand the test of time as keepsakes and longterm investments. The rise of baseball card culture further increases demand for these modern issues. For collectors, focusing on the top rookies, stars of today and tomorrow, and riskier high-end products with best odds of big hits is sure to lead to an exciting year of searching packs for cards that will hold significant value in the years ahead.
