The 2022 Topps Mosaic baseball card set was released in January 2022 and features many of the top active players in Major League Baseball. While still fairly new, the 2022 Mosaic set is gaining popularity due to its distinctive mosaic designs and potential for valuable parallel and short-printed cards. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top rookies and veterans featured in the set as well as the factors that influence the value of individual 2022 Mosaic cards.
As with any new baseball card release, the rookie cards tend to grab the most attention from collectors. Some of the top rookie cards to watch out for from the 2022 Mosaic set include Julio Rodriguez, Spencer Torkelson, Bobby Witt Jr., C.J. Abrams, and Mark Vientos. Rodriguez in particular has seen his stock skyrocket after a phenomenal rookie season that has positioned him as a early favorite for AL Rookie of the Year. PSA 10 versions of his base rookie card have already exceeded $150. Torkelson and Witt also look primed for stardom after strong MLB debuts and their autos and parallels command premium prices currently in the $50-100 range. Abrams and Vientos will need solid sophomore campaigns to maintain long term value but still offer upside for patient collectors.
In terms of veteran talent, the usual superstar suspects like Mike Trout, Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Mookie Betts anchor the set with their widespread popularity and success on the field translating to strong demand. Trout remains one of the safest long term investments in the hobby and his base Mosaic card holds steady value around $15-20 PSA 10. Soto and Acuña offer a nice blend of established production and age that continues to push their rookies and prospects higher. Corbin Burnes, Lucas Giolito, and Shane Bieber represent some of the top pitching talents that collectors are high on. Rookie cards for future Hall of Famers like Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera round out the set with nostalgia appeal.
When it comes to parallels and short prints, these are where the big money Mosaic cards will be found. The crown jewels remain 1/1 printing plates and autographed memorabilia cards of star players, which have reached the thousands of dollars already for some 2022 rookies. From a parallel standpoint, the Prismatic (1:12 packs), Violet (1:36 packs), and Gold (1:72 packs) parallels maintain strong multipliers over the base cards depending on the player. Contenders like Rodriguez, Torkelson, and Soto in these parallels could stretch up to several hundred dollars or more in a PSA 10. Beyond that, popular shadow box and mosaic ’21 insert cards as well as rare short prints occupy the high-end spectrum. Condition is always crucial too, as a Mint grade can separate a $20 card from a $200 version of the same parallel.
While still early in its life cycle, the popularity and visual aesthetic of 2022 Topps Mosaic has created a thriving secondary market. As the rookie class and other young standouts cement their big league careers, their base rookies as well as parallel and insert cards from the set should hold and increase in value accordingly. Veterans with proven track records like Trout, Acuña, and Tatis anchor the set with steady demand as well. For collectors and investors, focusing on top talents, parallels, and higher grades represents the best strategy to realize returns on 2022 Mosaic cards in both the short and long run. Several years down the line, a well-preserved complete set may emerge as a coveted vintage release as well.
