The 2022 Topps Chrome Baseball set was released on September 28th, 2022 and contains a variety of rookie cards, autographed cards, and parallels that have already started gaining value on the secondary market. As one of the premier modern baseball card products each year, Topps Chrome offers collectors the chance to pull valuable rookie cards and limited parallel versions of star players. Let’s take a closer look at some of the 2022 Topps Chrome cards that are considered the most valuable based on current secondary market sales data.
One of the biggest rookie cards in the 2022 Topps Chrome set is that of Detroit Tigers prospect Riley Greene. As the 5th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Greene had a breakout season in 2022 that saw him hit .250 with 5 home runs in 58 games for the Tigers. His prized rookie card, the green refractor parallel (#/199), has already started commanding big prices with recent PSA 10 gem mint sales reaching upwards of $800. Other parallels like the black refractor (#/50) and orange refractor (#/25) can fetch even more money given their ultra-limited print runs. Greene’s base rookie card has also gained value as his prospect stock has risen, with PSA 10s selling in the $150-200 range.
Another highly sought after rookie is that of Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. After a stellar debut season that saw him finish 2nd in AL Rookie of the Year voting, Rodriguez’s Topps Chrome rookie cards are some of the hottest on the market. His green refractor parallel (#/199) has also cracked the $800 mark for PSA 10 copies, while the even rarer black (#/50) and orange (#/25) refractors command prices well over $1,000. Julio’s base rookie in a PSA 10 gem is also in high demand, with recent sales around the $300-350 range. As one of the brightest young stars in baseball, Rodriguez’s cards hold incredible long term value potential.
Staying in Seattle, the Topps Chrome rookie card of pitcher George Kirby also ranks among the set’s most valuable. As the Mariners’ 1st round draft pick in 2019, Kirby made his MLB debut in 2022 and showed promise with a 3.39 ERA over 21 starts. While not as hyped as Rodriguez, Kirby’s Topps Chrome rookie parallels still fetch a pretty penny from collectors. The green refractor (#/199) has sold for around $250 in PSA 10, with the black (#/50) reaching over $500. His base rookie in a PSA 10 gem recently cracked the $100 mark as well. Kirby may not have the superstar upside of some others, but his cards offer solid returns given his role as a future piece of the Mariners’ young pitching staff.
Shifting to the American League East, the Topps Chrome rookie cards of Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman are standouts. As the top prospect and 1st overall pick in the 2019 draft, Rutschman’s long-awaited MLB debut in 2022 did not disappoint as he slashed .254/.362/.430 with 5 home runs in 57 games. His Topps Chrome rookie parallels immediately shot up in value, with the green refractor (#/199) reaching the $400-500 range and the black refractor (#/50) pushing $800-1000 for PSA 10 copies. Even Rutschman’s base rookie has gained significantly, with PSA 10s now selling consistently for $150-200. Considered a future franchise cornerstone, Rutschman’s cards are primed to only increase in worth as he establishes himself in Charm City.
Shifting to pitching prospects, the Topps Chrome rookie cards of Washington Nationals righty Cade Cavalli hold strong value. As the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, Cavalli made his MLB debut late in 2022 and showed why he’s considered one of baseball’s top pitching prospects. His Topps Chrome rookie parallels like the green refractor (#/199) and black refractor (#/50) have already topped $300-500 in PSA 10. Even Cavalli’s base rookie has gained nicely, with gem mint 10s bringing in $100-150 on the secondary market. With his power arsenal and high ceiling, Cavalli is poised to be a key part of the Nationals’ future plans, making his rookie cards an intriguing long term investment.
Rounding out the list, the prized Topps Chrome rookie cards of Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II hold tremendous value potential. Harris II broke out as one of baseball’s best rookies in 2022, slashing .297/.339/.538 with 19 home runs over 140 games while playing stellar defense in center field. Not surprisingly, his Topps Chrome rookie parallels exploded in price, with the green refractor (#/199) reaching $800-1000 and the ultra-rare black refractor (#/50) selling for over $2000 in PSA 10. Even Harris II’s base rookie has gained significantly, with PSA 10 copies selling for $300-400 based on his breakout season. As a core piece of the defending champion Braves, Harris II looks primed for stardom and his rookie cards offer huge upside for collectors.
While the 2022 Topps Chrome set offers a variety of valuable rookie cards, autographed cards, and parallels, the rookie cards of prospects Riley Greene, Julio Rodriguez, George Kirby, Adley Rutschman, Cade Cavalli, and Michael Harris II have already emerged as the most in-demand and highest valued cards on the secondary market. With their combination of prospect pedigree, MLB debuts in 2022, and long term upside, these rookies represent the cream of the crop in the latest Topps Chrome release. As their careers progress, these cards stand to gain even more value for savvy collectors.
