In the world of sports trading cards, the year 2023 has seen the continued dominance of grading companies PSA and ISA. With a keen eye on collector trends, PSA recently revealed the top 10 athletes and cards based on submissions for the year, painting an interesting picture of the current market.
Leading the pack is none other than MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, who is making waves both on and off the field. Fresh off signing a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani’s presence is felt in the trading card world as well. His cards, particularly his 2018 Topps #700 Pitching card, have become highly sought after, making Ohtani the most submitted athlete to PSA this year. In fact, he holds an impressive four spots in the top 10 most-graded sports cards of 2023.
While Ohtani may be the king of the hill, basketball legend Michael Jordan remains a prominent figure in card submissions. Collectors continue to favor Jordan’s iconic 1990 Fleer card, ensuring his presence in the top 10 list of athletes for 2023.
Among the other athletes that have caught the attention of collectors are baseball prospect Julio Rodriguez, football standouts Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow, and NFL legends Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Ken Griffey Jr., and Patrick Mahomes II. These athletes have all made a significant impact in their respective sports, both on and off the field, making their cards highly sought after by collectors.
The most graded sports cards of 2023 reveal an interesting mix of collectible gems. Unsurprisingly, Ohtani’s cards dominate this list as well, with his 2018 Bowman #49 card and 2018 Topps Update US285 card being standouts. However, other notable cards have made their way into the rankings, including the 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects BCP50 Elly De La Cruz and the nostalgic 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie card.
In the realm of football card submissions, there have been some noteworthy trends to observe. Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has seen a remarkable 119% increase in card submissions compared to the previous year, indicating a growing interest in the young star’s career. Close on his heels is Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has experienced a 98% increase in card submissions. This demonstrates the excitement and anticipation surrounding these rising football talents.
Another interesting submission trend in football cards is the surge in submissions for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce’s popular and public relationship with pop sensation Taylor Swift may have contributed to the increased interest in his cards.
As for rookie cards, they continue to dominate the grading submissions across various sports. In basketball, top rookie card submissions include Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama, two promising young talents on the court. In football, the top submissions come from rookie stars Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy, who have garnered attention for their stellar performances. In baseball, Elly De La Cruz and Adley Rutschman stand out as the most submitted rookie cards, showcasing their potential to make a impact in the MLB.
In conclusion, the trading card industry in 2023 has seen Shohei Ohtani reigning supreme, with his cards leading the pack in submissions and demand. However, rising football stars like Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence are quickly gaining momentum, capturing the attention of collectors. With the ever-evolving market and the introduction of new talent, it will be intriguing to see how the trading card landscape evolves in the coming years.
