2022 was another exciting year for the release of Panini Absolute Baseball trading cards. As one of the premier offerings from Panini each year, Absolute delivers some of the flashiest and most coveted rookie cards and parallels on the market. With new stars continuing to emerge and teams making deep postseason runs, there was no shortage of investment-worthy cards produced in this year’s release.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest hits, highest valued cards, and most desirable rookie selections from the 2022 version of Panini Absolute Baseball. With its innovative transparent “Absolute” technology, exclusive parallel variants, and autographs or memorabilia relics integrated into most packs, this set always delivers jaw-dropping présentations of the game’s top talent.
Perhaps the single most valuable card potential pull from a 2022 Absolute box is any 1/1 parallel. With only one of its kind in existence, these impossible to obtain singles command astronomical prices. Some notable 1/1’s that have already changed hands include a Julio Rodriguez base Absolute Material card that sold for over $15,000 and a Casen McCasland autograph parallel that brought in close to $10,000. With players like Rodriguez showing superstar potential and McCasland a highly touted rookie pitcher, these early career 1/1’s represent a huge long term investment.
Beyond the 1/1’s, focus steadily shifts to the lower numbered parallel rainbows within Absolute. The /10, /5 and especially the ultra-rare /3 variations command big money due to their extremely limited print runs. Some examples – a Bobby Witt Jr. /3 Absolute Material card hit for nearly $9,000 while a /3 patch autograph of rookie catcher Jack Snyder fetched over $6,500. Even mid-tier hits like a Kyle Isbel /10 sold for close to $3,000 showing how coveted these low serial numbered parallels are.
Of course, the biggest hits every year within Absolute involve autographs or dual relic pieces of the game’s emerging stars and top prospects. Two of the most hyped rookies of 2022 were catcher Adley Rutschman and slugging outfielder Spencer Torkelson – and their Absolute autographs did not disappoint. A Rutschman dual jersey autograph parallel hit for almost $12,000 in an early sale while a Torkelson Absolute Material autograph jumped up to $10,500. Both players made their MLB debuts in 2022 and look primed to be franchise cornerstones – making their flagship rookie cards extremely desirable long term keepsakes.
Away from the rookies, star veterans continue to produce spectacular memorabilia pieces within Absolute as well. A dual patch card of Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina – two longtime Cardinal greats – pulled in a strong $6,000 bidding war. And a “Hit King” patch card of all-time hits leader Pete Rose moved for close to $4,500 despite Rose’s controversial fall from grace years ago. Clearly trusted veterans with proven pedigrees will always have cache within the hobby.
While rookies and stars drive the high-end price points, Absolute also thrives by spreading the love throughout each organization. Team-centric and league-wide parallel sets like Clubhouse Collection helps create opportunities for collectors of every favorite. Even though they may not carry 4-5 figure valuations, cards like a /25 Alex Bregman Clubhouse Collection parallel or a /99 Team USA World Baseball Classic dual relic still found buyers in the $400-700 range. And rainbow chasing collectors snapped up discounted mid-tier parallels of players like Bryan Reynolds, Devin Williams and others to slowly work towards completing their sets.
As with every year of Panini Absolute, the true craft of the product lies not only in the cards themselves, but the often works-of-art quality presentations. For 2022, several subsets took the flashy factor up a notch. The Nebula parallel looked like embedded stars dancing within a layer of transparent Absolute. And a Star Progression insert series tracked 6 stages of superstar development featuring the likes of Ronald Acuña Jr, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Bo Bichette. Even non-hit cards delivered immense visual pop integrating holograms, glossy signatures and embedded “stars”.
While the high-end 1/1’s, low serial number hits and franchise cornerstone rookies predictably drove premium prices, 2022 Absolute Baseball proved once again there’s something in the product for collectors of all levels. From ultra- Rare finds to affordable parallels still under $100, Panini’s flagship release continues setting the standard for design, brand ambassador talent, and overall hobby excitement each and every year. And with rookies like Rodriguez, Torkelson and Rutschman poised for stardom – their flagship cards from 2022 Absolute are sure to remain top portfolio pieces for years to come.
While rookie stars and team legends often shine brightest within Panini Absolute, it’s really the creative design, infinite parallel rainbows, and ongoing emergence of new superstars each year that makes the product such a pillar of the modern baseball card world. With 2022 delivering another loaded class of rookies and highlighting franchises like the Orioles, Tigers and Cardinals – this year’s release thrilled collectors across hobby from the high-end hits all the way down to affordable fan favorites.
