The 2022 Topps Baseball Series 2 release offered collectors a wide array of exciting rookie cards, veteran star cards, and unique parallels. While Series 1 is usually the biggest release of the year in terms of rookie debuts, Series 2 still featured some highly sought-after young players and memorable inserts. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards investors and fans were chasing from the 2022 Topps Baseball Series 2 set.
Bobby Witt Jr. Base Rookie Card – Bobby Witt Jr. had a phenomenal debut season for the Kansas City Royals in 2022 where he finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. His base rookie card from Series 2 is one of the most important rookie cards from the entire release. Witt showed five-tool potential and is a centerpiece of the Royals rebuild. This card remains one of the primary rookie cards for collectors to own from the 2022 season.
Spencer Strider Base Rookie Card – Spencer Strider quickly became one of the best rookie pitchers in baseball for the Atlanta Braves in 2022. The flame-throwing righty routinely touched triple digits with his fastball. Strider’s electric rookie season makes his base card a must-have for any Braves PC or investor. He has ace-level potential and could be wearing a Braves uniform for many years.
Adley Rutschman Base Rookie Card – Adley Rutschman had a phenomenal debut for the Baltimore Orioles after being the #1 prospect in baseball. While injuries limited his playing time in 2022, he still showed why he’s such a special talent behind the plate and at it. Rutschman’s base rookie remains one of the most important cards for Orioles fans and the top catching prospect.
Oneil Cruz Base Rookie Card – Oneil Cruz had a brief but electric debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022 where he showcased his incredible power and speed for a big man. Standing 6’7″, Cruz is a unique physical specimen that drives the ball with ease. His prospect status and highlight-reel plays make his base rookie a standout.
C.J. Abrams Base Rookie Card – C.J. Abrams was one of the biggest prospects acquired by the Padres at the 2022 trade deadline. He showcased tantalizing skills after debuting in San Diego and could be the team’s shortstop of the future. His rookie card increased in demand after his solid play late in the year.
Nolan Gorman Base Rookie Card – Nolan Gorman got his first extended look in 2022 with the St. Louis Cardinals and delivered with 19 home runs in just 70 games. Gorman has prodigious power from the left side and could be an impactful middle-of-the-order bat for years. His base rookie remains highly sought after.
One of One Parallels – Series 2 featured some extremely rare one-of-one parallels for star players like Aaron Judge, Mookie Betts, and Ronald Acuna Jr. Pulling a true 1/1 parallel is about as rare as it gets in the hobby. These unique parallels garner major attention and command enormous premiums above normal base cards.
Rainbow Foil Inserts – The rainbow foil inserts in Series 2 paid homage to past designs and featured current stars. Rainbow foil parallels of Judge, Ohtani, Soto, and Acuna were hot cards to chase down. The retro design and low print runs made these popular among collectors.
1969 Topps Style Inserts – Topps paid tribute to the iconic 1969 design with style inserts mimicking the look of the vintage cards. Parallels featuring the games biggest stars like Judge, Trout, and Tatis in the 1969 style were a big hit and sold out quickly on the secondary market.
Top Prospects Inserts – The Top Prospects inserts highlighted some of the best up-and-coming young talent, including Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Riley Greene. These served as an early showcase of future star rookies in the set before their base cards.
League Leaders Inserts – The League Leaders inserts paid tribute to the top statistical performers of the 2022 season at the time of the Series 2 release. Cards recognizing Aaron Judge’s incredible home run pace and Shane McClanahan’s stellar pitching were especially hot.
While Series 1 is often the primary release, Series 2 from 2022 offered collectors a great mix of impact rookies, parallels, and inserts. Cards of emerging young stars like Witt, Strider, and Rutschman established themselves as long-term keepers. Meanwhile, the various inserts provided flashy veteran and prospect cards in fun retro designs. Overall, Topps Baseball Series 2 had no shortage of standout cards that excited the hobby.
