The 2022 baseball season has come and gone, but the hobby of collecting baseball cards lives on. Each new season brings with it a fresh crop of rookie cards and parallel cards that collectors hope will one day skyrocket in value. With another year in the books, here’s a look at some of the most valuable baseball cards from the 2022 season based on current sale prices:
Juan Soto 2021 Topps Chrome Auto Refractor (#/25) – $9,000+
Despite ongoing trade rumors and an eventual swap to the Padres, Juan Soto remained one of baseball’s brightest young stars in 2022. His 2021 Topps Chrome Autograph Refractor parallel limited to just 25 copies holds tremendous long term value given Soto’s talent and age (23 at the time of writing). Several have sold for over $9,000 on eBay and similar marketplaces as collectors vie to add this scarce Soto rookie hit to their PC’s.
Riley Greene 2021 Bowman’s Best Blue Auto /99 – $7,500+
Touted Tigers prospect Riley Greene made his MLB debut in 2022 and showed why he’s considered the future of the franchise. His Top Prospect card from 2021 Bowman’s Best, which features an on-card blue auto limited to just 99 copies, exploded in value this year. Multiple copies have sold in the $7,500 range as Greene cemented himself as a future lineup cornerstone in Detroit.
Adley Rutschman 2021 Bowman Chrome Auto 1st /299 – $6,000+
After years of hype, Adley Rutschman finally made his big league debut with the Orioles in 2022. That sent values of his 2021 rookie cards through the roof, including the prized Bowman Chrome Auto 1st parallel which is serial numbered to 299 copies. As the consensus top prospect in the game, this card’s long term stock remains bright and recent eBay sales averaged over $6,000.
Bobby Witt Jr. 2022 Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil /150 – $5,500+
ROY frontrunner Bobby Witt Jr. had a superb first full season with the Royals and validated reason for optimism in Kansas City. One of the scarcest parallels of his outstanding 2022 rookie season was the Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil limited to just 150 copies. Witt’s immense talent and on-card auto combine to make this among the most coveted – and valuable – of his 2022 rookie portfolio at $5,500+.
Spencer Torkelson 2021 Bowman Chrome Auto Red /50 – $5,000+
While Spencer Torkelson struggled in his initial MLB cups of coffee, his status as the #1 overall pick in 2020 ensures his Top Prospect cards remain extremely valuable. A prized parallel is the 2021 Bowman Chrome Auto in “Red” which is limited to a tiny run of 50 copies. Recent sales have shot well above the $5,000 mark for this diminutive parallel showing Torkelson’s long term potential.
Julio Rodriguez 2022 Topps Finest Auto Negative /99 – $5,000+
No rookie made a bigger splash in 2022 than Mariners sensation Julio Rodriguez, who nearly won the AL Rookie of the Year award. Among his coveted rookies, one of the most in-demand is the 2022 Topps Finest Negative Autograph serial numbered to just 99 copies. It’s a true one-of-one for J-Rod collectors and has exploded in secondary value above the $5,000 threshold.
Jack Leiter 2021 Topps Red Foil Auto #/25 – $4,000+
Continued success in the Rangers system has vaulted Jack Leiter’s Top Prospect cards to new heights. The 2021 Topps Red Foil Auto parallel is limited to a tiny run of 25 copies making it exceedingly rare. Leiter’s on-card auto and Topps iconic design have seen multiple copies move for $4,000+ as serious collectors clamor to add this visual stunner to their PC’s.
Oneil Cruz 2021 Topps Chrome Mega Box Auto RC /50 – $3,500+
Big things were expected of Pirates prospect Oneil Cruz after a mega 2021 campaign in the minors. His flagship rookie, the 2021 Topps Chrome Mega Box Auto which is serial numbered to an extremely low print run of just 50 copies, made a major splash as Cruz debuted in Pittsburgh. Recent eBay sales have cleared $3,500 as collectors bet on Cruz’s huge upside.
Adley Rutschman 2022 Topps UD Co-Signers Auto #/50 – $3,000+
The #1 overall pick in 2019 continued putting it all together as he reached the Show in 2022. The pinnacle card of his rookie season might be the exquisite 2022 Topps UD Co-Signers issue featuring an on-card auto and inscription limited to only 50 copies total. It’s a true 1/1 for Adley PC’s that is demanding over $3,000 on the current market.
Bobby Witt Jr 2021 Topps Chrome 1st Rainbow Foil Auto /25 – $3,000+
A true one-of-one among Bobby Witt Jr PC’s is his 2021 Topps Chrome 1st Edition parallel with the scarce Rainbow Refractor version and on-card auto limited to a tiny print run of 25 copies worldwide. With Witt emerging as the clear AL ROTY, this beautiful card from his draft year has surpassed the $3,000 mark consistently as the ultimate Witt rookie insert.
Spencer Steer 2022 Topps Chrome auto refractor RC /199 – $2,500+
One of the biggest rookie breakouts of 2022 was Reds slugger Spencer Steer. Perhaps surprisingly, one of his cards that has really taken off is the 2022 Topps Chrome refractor auto RC which is serial numbered out of just 199 copies made. Steer mania has pushed multiple copies into the $2,500+ valuation range for this scarce rookie bookend.
Bryce Miller 2022 Topps Sapphire Sapphire Auto 1/1 – $2,500+
Not all premium rookies come from the biggest names or first round picks. But Tampa prospect Bryce Miller made a huge first impression, resulting in skyrocketing prices for his ultra-rare sapphire parallel 1/1 auto from 2022 Topps Sapphire. As a true one-of-one, it captured a huge premium easily crossing $2,500 in recent eBay sales.
Enderson Franco 2022 Topps Finest Sapphire Auto 1/1 – $2,250+
One of the biggest risers in prospect circles during 2022 was Twins catching prospect Enderson Franco, who was dominant in High-A. His sole 1/1 parallel, the sapphire auto from 2022 Topps Finest, perfectly encapsulates his breakout season and true uniqueness. Multiple 6-figure bids fell just short in pushing its value north of $2,250 thus far.
Jack Suwinski 2022 Topps Chrome Negative Auto /99 – $2,000+
Out of nowhere, Pirates slugger Jack Suwinski emerged as a 30-HR threat as a rookie. While he tailed off down the stretch, his super scarce negative refractor auto from 2022 Topps Chrome, with a print run of 99 copies, saw tremendous appreciation. Several recently relocated around the $2,000 price point as buyers chase Suwinski’s potential breakout season.
Adley Rutschman 2021 Bowman’s Best Prospects Green Auto /99 – $1,750+
The premier card from Adley’s draft year and early prospect days remains 2021 Bowman’s Best. The green parallel auto from that set remains highly conditioned and scarce at /99 print run. Multiple copies have exceeded the $1,750 sales point as Rutschman takes over as Baltimore’s next franchise cornerstone player.
Gabriel Moreno 2022 Topps UD Cooperstown Jersey Auto 1/1 – $1,500+
Jays catching stud Gabriel Moreno had a strong MLB debut after years of minors dominance. For PC collectors, one of his truly one-of-a-kind parallels is the exclusive 2022 Topps UD Cooperstown Memorabilia Auto patch numbered 1/1. With Moreno’s steadily rising stock this singular card has commanded north of $1,500 thus far.
Oneil Cruz 2021 Bowman Chrome Refractor Auto /99 – $1,250+
Pre-injury, Cruz was considered a future All-Star for Pittsburgh. One of his prized rookie parallels remains the elegant 2021 Bowman Chrome refractor auto issued to only 99 copies worldwide. Even with Cruz’s lost 2022 season, serious collectors have pushed values above $1,250 hoping he reclaims his former lofty prospect status.
Bobby Witt Jr 2021 Bowman Chrome Green Auto /99 – $1,150+
Witt burst out of the gates as one of MLB’s most electrifying rookies in 2022. From his early prospect period, the 2021 Bowman Chrome Green parallel auto numbered to 99 copies remains a true RGB color match for PC’s of the young Royal. Recent eBay sales maintain a strong $1,150+ floor for this prized Witt colorful.
Adley Rutschman 2022 Topps Update Green Auto Parallel /99 – $1,000
Often an overlooked set, Topps Update contained one of Rutschman’s scarcest 2022 parallels – the Green Refractor Auto limited to 99 copies. With this parallel
