The 2022 minor league baseball season saw players develop their skills in the farm systems of major league organizations in preparation for reaching the major leagues. The season also featured the release of numerous baseball cards featuring some of the top prospects in minor league baseball.
Topps is generally considered the leading producer of minor league baseball cards each year through its levels such as Bowman Draft, Bowman Chrome, Bowman Prospects and Blue Jays. For 2022, Topps produced cards for many of the top rated prospects in the minors through these sets at the beginning of the season when prospects were first assigned to minor league affiliates of their major league clubs. One of the most highly anticipated releases each year is Topps Bowman’s Best, as it highlights some of the absolute best prospects in the minors.
The prospects featured in Topps Bowman’s Best 2022 included several players regarded as can’t-miss future stars. Shortstop Jackson Holliday, who was drafted number one overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2022, received cards in both Topps Bowman and Bowman’s Best. As the number one draft pick, Holliday brought significant hype that should make his rookie cards very collectible long term.
Another prized prospect featured prominently was Cardinals pitcher Jordan Walker, who received glowing reviews despite being just 19 years old when he mashed 38 home runs between Low-A and High-A in 2022. Walker’s immense power potential positioned him as a franchise cornerstone and his cards were some of the most sought after prospects issues prior to his full season debut.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Edwin Arroyo stood out after a breakout season in Single-A saw him hit .309 with 13 homers and 29 stolen bases at just 19 years old. Arroyo’s five-tool abilities and youth provided him unbelievable upside that should drive interest in his rookie cards. Topps Bowman Prospects also highlighted catcher Kevin Parada after the Braves selected him with the number 11 overall pick in the 2022 draft.
While Topps leads the market, other card companies also issue sets focusing on minor league players each year. In 2022, Panini produced its Donruss Baseball product featuring rookie cards of prospects assigned to affiliates. Some of the noteworthy rookies included in Donruss Baseball were Mariners shortstop Noelvi Marte, Mets pitcher J.T. Ginn and Astros outfielder Drew Gilbert.
Similarly, Leaf produced its Valiant Baseball set highlighting standalone cards of top prospects in their system. Leaf Valiant 2022 included Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz, Cardinals infielder Masyn Winn and Phillies shortstop Mick Abel. These alternative sets provided collectors variety in the rookie card options for minor league players outside the Topps stronghold on the MLB licensed product.
While most focus is placed on prospects with the highest prospect rankings and draft positions, collectors can also find value in taking risks on hidden gem prospects each year. Orioles outfielder DJ Stewart broke out with a .324 batting average and 1.003 OPS in Triple-A, positioning him for a big league call up. Stewart’s rise wasn’t projected, yet his 2022 Topps Chrome cards grew in demand. Meanwhile, Reds first baseman Elly De La Cruz continued building buzz with a monster season split between Low-A and High-A. De La Cruz crushed 31 homers and boosted interest in his 2021 issue cards despite just recently signing in 2019.
As the prospects developed over the course of the 2022 minor league season, their cards also fluctuated in secondary market value depending on performance. Prospects who excelled often saw early issue cards from that year increase in price. Meanwhile, players who battled injuries or struggled were more likely to see prices hold steady or decline on their investment cards from that same season. Of course, there is always the chance an underperforming prospect recovers with a bounce back campaign that reignites collector interest down the road as well.
Come season’s end, the top prospects from 2022 began reaching the major leagues with their affiliated clubs. Shortstop Jackson Holliday earned a late season promotion and debuted with the Orioles in September. Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez had a breakout rookie campaign that led to him finishing third in AL ROY voting. Braves slugger Michael Harris got the call and provided impact down the stretch of Atlanta capturing the NL East. Performances at the highest level naturally raise the values of any pre-debut cards issued for these rookies from as far back as their early minor league days.
In summary, 2022 saw minor league baseball play out another season of development while also providing a new crop of prospective stars for collectors to track and potentially profit from over the long term. Following top prospects through the minors and purchasing early issue cards serves as an investment with upside depending on if those players are able to eventually cement themselves as impact big leaguers.
