Shohei Ohtani, the MLB superstar who recently signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, takes center stage as the most graded trading card athlete of 2023. Trading card grading companies PSA and ISA have dominated the sports card industry this year, and PSA has revealed the top 10 athletes and cards based on submissions.
Ohtani’s cards, particularly his 2018 Topps #700 Pitching card, are in high demand among collectors, making him the most submitted athlete to PSA this year. Not only does Ohtani lead the pack, but he also holds four spots in the top 10 most graded sports cards of 2023.
It’s no surprise that basketball legend Michael Jordan remains a prominent figure in card submissions. His 1990 Fleer card continues to be a favorite among collectors. Joining Ohtani and Jordan in the top 10 athletes in card submissions are Julio Rodriguez, Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Ken Griffey Jr., and Patrick Mahomes II.
When it comes to the most graded sports cards of 2023, Ohtani dominates the list once again. His 2018 Bowman #49 and 2018 Topps Update US285 cards prove to be highly sought after. However, there are other notable cards that collectors have been eager to grade, including the 2022 Bowman Chrome Prospects BCP50 Elly De La Cruz card and the 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie card.
In the realm of football card submissions, Chicago Bears’ quarterback Justin Fields has seen a remarkable 119% increase compared to 2022. Following closely behind is Jacksonville Jaguars’ QB Trevor Lawrence with a 98% increase in submissions. Another notable surge in submissions comes from Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, possibly influenced by his public relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.
Rookie cards are a hot commodity and continue to dominate the grading submissions across various sports. In basketball, Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama lead the way in rookie card submissions. In football, Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy top the list. As for baseball, Elly De La Cruz and Adley Rutschman are the most submitted rookie cards of 2023.
Collectors and fans are eagerly submitting their favorite athletes’ trading cards, seeking higher grades and adding value to their collections. The year 2023 has seen a mix of established stars like Shohei Ohtani, Michael Jordan, and Tom Brady, along with up-and-coming talents like Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence, gaining momentum among card collectors.
As the sports card industry continues to thrive, it’s clear that the appeal of grading and owning highly sought-after trading cards remains strong. The anticipation and excitement surrounding the top graded cards and rookie submissions make card collecting an engaging and dynamic hobby for sports enthusiasts and collectors alike.
