In 2023, PSA and ISA, the leading card-grading companies in the sports card industry, have continued their reign, unveiling the top 10 athletes and cards based on submissions for the year. Topping the list is none other than Shohei Ohtani, the MLB superstar who recently landed a groundbreaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani’s cards, especially his 2018 Topps #700 Pitching card, have become highly coveted among collectors, making him the most submitted athlete to PSA this year. Notably, Ohtani occupies four spots in the top 10 most graded sports cards of 2023.
While Ohtani retains the throne, Michael Jordan remains an iconic figure in card submissions, with his 1990 Fleer card continuing to be a favorite among collectors. The list of the top 10 athletes in card submissions for 2023 also includes rising stars such as Julio Rodriguez, Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Ken Griffey Jr., and Patrick Mahomes II.
The list of the 10 most graded sports cards of 2023 showcases several cards from Ohtani, further establishing his dominance in the market. His 2018 Bowman #49 and the 2018 Topps Update US285 cards are particularly sought after. Other notable cards in this elite group include the 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects BCP50 Elly De La Cruz card and the 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie card.
Turning our attention to football, it is worth noting that Bears quarterback Justin Fields has seen a remarkable 119% increase in card submissions compared to the previous year. The talented quarterback is clearly making waves in the collecting community. Following closely behind Fields is Trevor Lawrence, the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback, with a noteworthy 98% increase in submissions. Another player who has garnered attention in the football card market is Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, whose submissions have seen significant growth, possibly influenced by his high-profile relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
Rookie cards continue to captivate collectors across sports, dominating grading submissions. In basketball, Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama lead the pack as the most submitted rookie cards. Meanwhile, in football, Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy take the spotlight with their highly graded rookie cards. In the world of baseball, Elly De La Cruz and Adley Rutschman rank at the top of the list for the most submitted rookie cards.
As the year unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how the card-grading landscape continues to evolve. Will Ohtani’s dominance persist? Will Fields and Lawrence continue their ascent in the football card market? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain—sports card collecting remains an enduring and passionate pursuit that captivates fans and enthusiasts worldwide.
