Shohei Ohtani, the MLB superstar who recently signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is taking the card-collecting world by storm. With his cards, especially his 2018 Topps #700 Pitching card, being highly sought after, Ohtani has become the most submitted athlete to card-grading companies PSA and ISA in 2023. In fact, Ohtani holds four spots in the top 10 most graded sports cards of the year.
While Ohtani leads the pack, Michael Jordan remains an iconic figure in the card-collecting community. His 1990 Fleer card continues to be a favorite among collectors. Joining Ohtani and Jordan on the list of top 10 athletes based on card submissions for 2023 are Julio Rodriguez, Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Ken Griffey Jr., and Patrick Mahomes II.
Speaking of the top 10 most graded sports cards of the year, Ohtani features prominently. His 2018 Bowman #49 and 2018 Topps Update US285 cards are highly coveted by collectors. Other notable 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 the world of football card submissions, a couple of rising stars are gaining popularity. Justin Fields, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears, has seen an incredible 119% increase in card submissions compared to the previous year. Following closely is Trevor Lawrence, the quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, with a remarkable 98% increase. It seems that football fans and collectors are eager to get their hands on cards featuring these emerging talents. Another football player making waves in the card-grading game is Travis Kelce, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. His submissions have seen significant growth, possibly influenced by his public relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
Rookie cards continue to dominate card grading submissions across all sports. In basketball, Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama are the top rookie card submissions. Football sees Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy leading the way in rookie card submissions. As for baseball, Elly De La Cruz and Adley Rutschman are the most submitted rookie cards.
The world of sports card collecting and grading is ever-evolving, with new stars making their mark and collectors seeking out the next big thing. From the dominance of Shohei Ohtani to the rising popularity of Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence, the trading card industry continues to capture the hearts of collectors around the world. Whether it’s the nostalgia of Michael Jordan or the excitement surrounding rookie cards, there’s always something new and exciting happening in the world of sports cards.
