The 2022 Panini Mosaic baseball set was highly anticipated by collectors due to Panini’s history of producing sets with valuable rookie cards and parallels. Mosaic has become one of the premier modern baseball sets since its debut in 2018 for its flashy designs, unique parallels, and track record of featuring cards of young stars who go on to stardom in MLB. This year’s set centered around another loaded rookie class headlined by Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Adley Rutschman. As with past years, some of the top rookies from Mosaic 2022 have already seen their cards rise dramatically in value. Here are some of the most valuable and desirable rookie cards to emerge from this year’s Panini Mosaic baseball release:
Julio Rodriguez Base Mosaic RC – Rodriguez electrified MLB in his rookie season with the Seattle Mariners, slashing .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases. He established himself as a budding superstar and the current face of the Mariners franchise. His base Mosaic rookie card, numbered to /499, has become one of the most in-demand modern rookie cards on the secondary market. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $1,000 due to his breakout season and the card’s relatively low print run. As Rodriguez continues to develop, these already scarce RCs can be expected to climb much higher in the years to come.
Bobby Witt Jr. Mosaic Red Refractor RC /50 – As the #2 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and top prospect in the Kansas City Royals’ system, Witt arrived in the majors with huge expectations in 2022. He impressed right away with 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases in his debut campaign. His Mosaic red refractor RC, limited to just 50 copies, is the true short-print holy grail for Witt collectors. Just a handful are known to exist in PSA 10 condition, with values already exceeding $10,000 based on recent sales. With his five-tool talent and star potential, Witt Jr. RCs as a whole hold amazing long-term upside.
Adley Rutschman Mosaic Green Refractor RC /99 – Rutschman was the #1 pick in the 2019 draft and is considered a future All-Star caliber catcher for the Baltimore Orioles. He showed why with a strong .254/.362/.430 slash line after his midseason call-up. His Mosaic green refractor RC, numbered to just 99 copies, has become one of the marquee short-print rookie cards in the entire set. PSA 10 examples have reached the $3,000+ range on the secondary market. As Rutschman continues developing and the Orioles improve, the value of this rare parallel is poised to multiply in the coming years.
Spencer Strider Mosaic Purple Refractor RC /75 – Strider exploded onto the MLB scene in 2022 with a 2.67 ERA, 202 strikeouts, and 11 wins in 131 innings for the Atlanta Braves. The hard-throwing rookie firmly established himself as a future ace and key piece of the Braves’ pitching staff. His scarce Mosaic purple refractor RC, limited to only 75 copies, has already eclipsed the $1,000 price point for PSA 10s. Strider’s breakout amplified interest in his cards, and this rare parallel is sure to appreciate as he cements his stardom.
Oneil Cruz Mosaic Pink Refractor RC /50 – Cruz made a huge splash in his late-season debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022 with his immense 6’7″ frame and tantalizing tools. He displayed prodigious raw power with a .333 ISO in limited MLB action. His Mosaic pink refractor RC, one of just 50 in existence, is a true short-print gem for Cruz collectors. Even raw examples have sold for $800-1,000 due to the excitement surrounding his future. As Cruz’s development continues and he becomes a full-time MLB regular, look for values on this rare parallel to multiply accordingly.
Rookie phenoms like Rodriguez, Witt Jr., Rutschman, Strider, and Cruz led the 2022 Panini Mosaic set to produce some of the most valuable modern baseball cards. Their short-print refractors number from /50 to /99 copies and have already proven to be wise long-term investments. With more breakout campaigns sure to come from this star-studded rookie class, their Mosaic rookies hold incredible potential to gain further in value down the road. For modern card collectors, identifying these types of future stars in their earliest cards is what the hobby is all about. The 2022 Mosaic set delivered on that front in a big way.
