The 2022 Donruss Baseball set was released in late February/early March with mixed reviews from collectors. While not as hyped as some of the other big releases from companies like Topps and Panini, Donruss remains a staple in the hobby and there are definitely some standout rookie and veteran cards worth keeping an eye out for. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top 2022 Donruss Baseball cards that have gained or could potentially gain value over time.
Bobby Witt Jr. Rookie Cards – The second overall pick from the 2019 MLB Draft and top prospect had a phenomenal rookie season with the Kansas City Royals. Witt Jr. hit 20 home runs, stole 30 bases, and finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Any Witt Jr. rookie card from 2022 Donruss is worth holding onto, but the Chrome Refractors (#CR) and Xfractors (#XF) have the most longterm upside. Expect steady price increases for these over the next few years as Witt Jr. establishes himself as one of the game’s brightest young stars. The Witt Jr. Chrome Refractor is currently selling for $70-100 raw while PSA 10 gem mint examples have sold for over $500.
Spencer Torkelson Rookie Cards – The top pick from the 2020 MLB Draft had an up-and-down rookie season with the Detroit Tigers but showed plenty of promise. Torkelson hit 5 home runs in 53 games and is still just getting his feet wet in the bigs. Like Witt Jr., any Torkelson rookie from Donruss 2022 is worth holding but the Chrome and Xfractor parallels have the highest longterm potential. Condition sensitive Tigers fans and PC collectors have pushed PSA 10 Torkelson Chrome Refractors over $400 already.
Julio Rodriguez Rookie Cards – J-Rod almost took home AL Rookie of the Year honors and instantly became a fan favorite in Seattle with his dazzling defense and electric speed/power combo. Rodriguez burst out of the gates with 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases and looks like a perennial all-star in the making. All of his 2022 Donruss rookies hold value but the prized parallels include the Chrome Refractors and Xfractors. Ultra high-grade PSA 10 J-Rod Chrome Refractors have topped $1,000 at auction.
Adley Rutschman Rookie Cards – After years of hype in the minors, Rutschman finally got his shot with the Baltimore Orioles in 2022 and did not disappoint, showing off his patience at the plate and cannon for an arm behind it. Any Adley rookie from Donruss 2022 is worth holding longterm but like the other top prospects, special emphasis should be put on BGS/PSA graded Chrome Refractors and Xfractors which could take off over the next 3-5 years as his career unfolds.
Rookie Autograph Cards – Outside of the base rookies, any signed rookie cards from the top prospects hold huge longterm value potential as their signatures become more scarce over time. Witt Jr., Torkelson, Rodriguez, and Rutschman autographs from Donruss could be worth thousands of dollars graded 10 down the line. Of those, the coveted on-card autographs have the most upside.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Refractor parallel cards (#86) – After breaking out with 48 home runs in 2021, Vlad Jr. took his game to new heights in 2022 with an AL-leading 123 RBI. Any of his refractors, particularly the prized Chrome and Xfractor parallels hold steady longterm value as he continues cementing himself as a true offensive force. PSA 10 Vlad Jr. Chrome Refractors from Donruss 2022 have already crested $150.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Refractors (#13) – Returning from a torn ACL that cost him the 2021 season, Acuna showed no signs of rust smashing 15 home runs in just 82 games in 2022 while dazzling in the field and on the basepaths. As long as he stays healthy, Acuna has perennial MVP upside. His refractors, especially the mid-high end parallels, are a great longterm hold. PSA 10 Acuna Chrome Refractors have sold in excess of $300 already.
Sandy Alcantara Refractor parallel cards (#41) – After coming within one win of claiming the NL Cy Young Award, Alcantara looks poised to continue cementing himself as the ace of the Marlins staff. At only 26 years old, the Dominican flamethrower just keeps getting better. His refractors from 2022 Donruss hold value as he inches closer toward starting in an All-Star Game and winning hardware like the Cy Young down the line, especially BGS/PSA 10 specimens.
Nolan Arenado Refractor parallel cards (#28) – The defensive wizard continues raking with the St. Louis Cardinals, registering yet another All-Star campaign in 2022. Arenado shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon as he pushes toward 300 career home runs. His refractors, especially the higher-end Xfractors and X-Fractors retain value as a perennial star and likely Hall of Famer when all is said and done.
Wander Franco Refractor parallel cards (#5) – After getting a taste of stardom in 2021, Franco dealt with some injuries in 2022 but still flashed why he is one of the most exciting young talents in the game. As long as he stays on the field, expect his refractors and premium parallels to steadily gain value as he continues developing into a consensus top-five player. PSA 10 Franco Xfractors have already cracked $300.
Other Young Stars/Veterans – Additional 2022 Donruss cards that hold value for serious PC collectors include but are not limited to those of Austin Riley, Shane McClanahan, Shane Bieber, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Byron Buxton, José Ramírez, and Mookie Betts. Condition sensitive and premium parallels like Xfractors/Autos for proven stars will retain longterm collector demand.
While 2022 Donruss does not get quite the same hype as Topps flagship or Bowman, there are absolutely some standout cards holding longterm value potential – especially any rookies, refractors and premium parallels featuring the above young stars and superstar veterans. With patience and the right grades from the major authenticators, high-grade examples of the prized parallels could yield nice returns for savvy collectors over the next 5-10 years as careers continue to unfold.
This covers some of the top 2022 Donruss Baseball Cards worth keeping an eye on for future value based on credentials, parallels, and collector interest. The key is using a combination of criteria like production numbers, on-field success, prospect pedigree, and parallel rarity to identify cards with the strongest longterm profit potential. Hope this helps provide some guidance on where to focus collecting efforts when ripping or hunting 2022 Donruss product going forward. Feel free to discuss any other notable cards missed in the comments section below.
