Don’t Expect Elly De La Cruz Rookie Cards Until 2024
Elly De La Cruz has been one of the more electric debuts so far this season in MLB. He’s also one of the hottest players in the hobby right now. But when it comes to Rookie Cards and cards with Topps’ RC badge, don’t expect them until 2024 Topps Series 1 Baseball arrives next year.
Every year, there’s a cutoff date for players to debut and get the RC badge. Historically, it has never been the same and changes from year to year. Sometimes it is so early that it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
While there’s no official announcement, Topps Now Baseball gives it away each year. For 2023, the cutoff appears to have been early in June. Those who made their MLB debuts in May or earlier all have the RC badge. This means that, if they haven’t already, they will get base cards in products this year like 2023 Topps Update.
However, those that made their debut after the cut-off, will not. They still might appear in sets, particularly those under the Bowman brand or minor league releases. However, none will have the RC badge on them and they’ll be considered prospect cards or inserts.
Also, their Topps Now cards have a “Call-Up” notation instead of the RC logo like players getting their first taste of the majors earlier in the season — some just a few days before De La Cruz. This is the easiest way for collectors to tell who will have rookies and who is being held back. Reese Olson was the first player to get the “Call-Up” mark in 2023 Topps Now Baseball. He debuted on June 2. De La Cruz’s first game with the Reds was June 6.
The rookie cut-off isn’t solely a Topps decision. The MLB Players Association plays a major role in making the call.
So if you’re anticipating Elly De La Cruz in 2023 Topps Update, you’re likely going to be disappointed.
2023 Update would have been a cash cow for Topps if they got some Elly RC’s in there. The limited product options would have kept prices at a premium, now he will have near a hundred different “RC” out there. Which is fine in a way for allowing everyone to get their hands on one I suppose.