In the year 2023, the card-grading powerhouses PSA and ISA continue to reign supreme in the world of sports cards. PSA has recently released its list of the top 10 athletes and cards based on submissions for this year. Topping the list is none other than MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, who made waves in the sports world after signing a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani’s trading cards, particularly his 2018 Topps #700 Pitching card, have become highly coveted among collectors, leading to him being the most submitted athlete to PSA in 2023. Impressively, Ohtani claims four spots in the top 10 most graded sports cards of the year.
While Ohtani dominates the card submissions, another iconic figure continues to make his mark. Michael Jordan, the basketball legend, remains a prominent figure in the world of trading cards. His 1990 Fleer card continues to be a favorite amongst collectors. In the list of top 10 athletes in terms of card submissions for 2023, Jordan appears alongside other notable names like Julio Rodriguez, Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Ken Griffey Jr., and Patrick Mahomes II.
The top 10 most graded sports cards of 2023 feature several cards from Shohei Ohtani, including the 2018 Bowman #49 and the 2018 Topps Update US285. Other noteworthy cards on the list include the 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects BCP50 Elly De La Cruz and the 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie.
In terms of football card submissions, it’s worth noting the remarkable surge in popularity for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who has experienced a staggering 119% increase in submissions compared to 2022. Following closely behind Fields is the Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has seen a noteworthy 98% increase in card submissions. Another player who has garnered increased attention in submissions is Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, potentially influenced by his public relationship with music sensation Taylor Swift.
Rookie cards continue to dominate the grading submissions across various sports. In basketball, Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama reign as the top submitted rookie cards for 2023. Meanwhile, in football, Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy lead the way in terms of rookie card submissions. In the world of baseball trading cards, Elly De La Cruz and Adley Rutschman stand out as the most submitted rookie cards.
As the year progresses, it is anticipated that the landscape of top athletes and most sought-after rookie cards in the sports card industry will continue to evolve. With Shohei Ohtani leading the pack, and rising stars like Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence making their mark, collectors and enthusiasts alike have plenty to look forward to in the world of trading cards in 2023.
