As another baseball season gets underway, collectors are always keeping an eye out for the rookie cards of today’s star players that could become valuable in the future. While it’s impossible to predict with certainty which 2022 baseball cards will gain the most value over time, there are certain cards issued this year that seem quite promising based on the players featured and certain attributes of the cards themselves. Let’s take a look at some of the top 2022 baseball cards that could potentially be worth money down the road.
Rookie Cards of Top Prospects – Whenever a new class of prospects comes up to the major leagues, their rookie cards are among the first places collectors look to find future value. Some of the top prospects who debuted in 2022 and therefore have rookie cards include Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners, Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals, and Spencer Torkelson of the Detroit Tigers. All three are considered future stars and were first round draft picks, so their base rookie cards from sets like Topps, Bowman, and Panini Donruss could gain quite a bit in value if they live up to expectations on the field. Other notable rookie cards of top prospects from 2022 include cards of Archer, Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles and Riley Greene of the Tigers.
Graded Rookie Cards – While base rookie cards can certainly gain value over time, cards that are professionally graded by companies like PSA or BGS have an even better chance of appreciating due to their assured authenticity and preserved condition. Top graded rookies from 2022 like a PSA 10 Rodriguez or Witt Jr. card could eventually be worth thousands given the long-term upside of those players. Even top prospects not necessarily considered “can’t miss” types could reward collectors handsomely, like a BGS 9.5 Rutschman or PSA 9 Greene rookie. The market for high-grade modern rookie cards remains quite strong.
Autograph Rookie Cards – If collectors really want to maximize the value potential of 2022 rookie cards, focusing on autographed versions is a savvy move. As with any collectible card, an autograph exponentially increases the card’s rarity, desirability and therefore value. Top rookies like Rodriguez, Witt Jr. and Torkelson all had autographed cards available in 2022 releases from Bowman, Topps, Leaf and others. While such autograph rookies carry lofty upfront costs, they offer arguably the most upside of any 2022 rookie card if those players take off. Even lesser prospects with on-card autographs could hit, making their signatures worth a premium later.
Top Veteran Cards – While rookies get much attention, collectors shouldn’t overlook stars who are already established in the league. Shohei Ohtani’s incredible dual-threat play for the Los Angeles Angels makes any of his 2022 cards strong long-term holds. The same goes for younger vets like Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Ronald Acuña Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Base cards, parallels, autographs and memorabilia cards of these types of established superstars should retain and grow in value provided they stay healthy and productive. Veterans who change teams can also provide opportunity, like Clayton Kershaw or Aaron Judge cards issued after their 2022 free agent moves.
Rare Parallels and Short Prints – Within the major sets each year like Topps Chrome, Bowman Sterling and Panini Prizm are relatively scarce parallel and short print cards that increase rarity and thus future value. Top rookies that also feature elusive color or serial number variations have a “best of both worlds” case for future upside. For example, parallels like the popular Topps Chrome Yellow refractors or Prizm Black parallels of MLB’s next big star could gain collectors huge returns with the double-whammy of the player and rarity. Hard-to-find short prints from hobby boxes of the same players carry even more possibility.
Rainbow Foil Variations – Compared to typical parallel cards that only change color, the “rainbow foil” versions released in recent years add extra visual flair with their shifting color patterns on the front of the card. Topps, Panini and others issued popular serial numbered rainbow foil variations in 2022 that feature top rookies and veterans. While more costly than base versions due to rarity, rainbow foils seem to hold special appeal to collectors and could realize outsized appreciation if the players hit heights matching their on-card colors. Examples from 2022 include rainbow foil Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr. and Ohtani cards.
Autographed Memorabilia Cards – Another area offering both great rarity and attachment to superstar players are autograph memorabilia cards, featuring game-used or worn materials with on-card autographs. Top rookies like Rodriguez and Witt Jr. had such ultra-rare dual autograph/memorabilia cards inserted at incredibly low ratios in premium 2022 products from Leaf and Panini. Established veterans with strong brands like Ohtani and Trout likewise had highly limited triple jersey autograph cards. While very costly currently, each one has potential to be worth exponentially more with the passage of time and player performance.
Exclusive High-End Case Hit Cards – The true holy grails for modern collectors are the 1/1 cards reserved as the biggest hits possible to pull from full hobby box cases of top brands like Bowman, Topps Chrome and Panini Prizm. While nearly impossible to acquire at retail, these unique parallel cards featuring top prospects and vets tend to gain value at incredible rates through the years. Julio Rodriguez, Torkelson and Witt all had such no-numbered crown jewel cards in 2022 ready to blossom if they pan out. Even lesser lights with extremely rare 1/1s still offer opportunity that could pay off huge.
As with collecting any hobby, there are no guarantees regarding the future value performance of individual 2022 baseball cards. By focusing on the rookies and veterans with the greatest upside potential, and high-grade, rare and one-of-a-kind versions of their cards, collectors give themselves the best chance of profitable long-term holds. While it involves patience, the excitement of discovering tomorrow’s stars and Hall of Famers today is a huge part of what makes collecting baseball cards such a fun endeavor each season. If history is any guide, some 2022 cardboard will emerge as true investments in the years to come.
