Shohei Ohtani, the MLB superstar who recently signed a staggering $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has taken the lead as the most submitted athlete to card-grading companies PSA and ISA in 2023. Ohtani’s cards, particularly his 2018 Topps #700 Pitching card, have become highly coveted among collectors, solidifying his position as the frontrunner in the world of trading cards. In fact, Ohtani holds an impressive four spots in the top 10 most graded sports cards of the year.
While Ohtani continues to dominate the submissions, basketball legend Michael Jordan remains a prominent figure in the card-collecting community. Jordan’s iconic 1990 Fleer card remains a favorite amongst collectors, firmly securing his position in the top 10 athletes for card submissions in 2023.
The top 10 athletes in card submissions for 2023, based on the data released by PSA, are as follows:
1. Shohei Ohtani
2. Michael Jordan
3. Julio Rodriguez
4. Trevor Lawrence
5. Joe Burrow
6. Tom Brady
7. Kobe Bryant
8. LeBron James
9. Ken Griffey Jr.
10. Patrick Mahomes II
Joining Ohtani and Jordan in the most graded sports cards of 2023 are some notable entries. Ohtani’s 2018 Bowman #49 and 2018 Topps Update US285 cards continue to be sought after by collectors. Other cards making an appearance include the 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects BCP50 Elly De La Cruz and the 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie.
In the world of football card submissions, two rising stars have gained significant momentum. Bears quarterback Justin Fields has seen an impressive 119% increase in submissions compared to 2022. Following closely is Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who experienced a 98% surge in submissions. Additionally, the public relationship between Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and singer Taylor Swift may have influenced a notable growth in Kelce’s submissions.
Across various sports, rookie cards continue to dominate the grading submissions. In basketball, Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama’s rookie cards lead the way. In football, it’s Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy who have captured collectors’ attention with their impressive rookie cards. Finally, in baseball, Elly De La Cruz and Adley Rutschman hold the top spots for most submitted rookie cards, further emphasizing the allure of up-and-coming talent.
As the sports card industry continues to thrive, collectors and enthusiasts eagerly seek out rare and valuable cards. The dominance of players like Shohei Ohtani, Michael Jordan, and exciting rookies like Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence only adds to the excitement and anticipation in the world of trading cards. Whether it’s the thrill of investing in potential future stars or the nostalgia of collecting cards from beloved legends, the sports card industry shows no signs of slowing down in 2023 and beyond.
