Topps GQ is one of the hobby’s most coveted premium baseball card releases each year. The 2022 edition was no exception, as it featured sharp photography, quality card stock and design elements that collectors love. While GQ carries a higher price tag than mainstream Topps products, the cards often appreciate nicely in value due to their limited print runs and focus on star players. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards and rookies from 2022 Topps GQ and how their values are faring in the current market.
One of the biggest hits and most valuable cards early on has been the Mike Trout autograph card. Trout remains one of the faces of MLB and his autographed cards are highly sought after by collectors. The 2022 Topps GQ Trout auto checklist card #86 sold for over $1,000 shortly after release. As one of the premier parallels in the set, this card features an on-card autograph of Trout in blue ink on a blue parallel background. With Trout’s Hall of Fame caliber career still in progress, this exclusive auto is likely to appreciate well long term.
Rookies are always a major focus in GQ sets due to the prospect of landing a future star. One of the top rookies in 2022 was Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. His base rookie card #166 was selling in the $50-75 range upon release. But after a stellar debut season that saw him named AL Rookie of the Year, J-Rod’s value skyrocketed. His base GQ rookie has since climbed above $150-200 each on the secondary market. Parallel and autographed versions of his rookie card have seen even more dramatic price increases proportional to his breakout success.
Another rookie on the rise is Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena. After winning World Series MVP in his first full MLB season, Pena’s stock is soaring. His 2022 Topps GQ base rookie card #203 held steady around $30-50 initially but has more than doubled to the $75-100 range now. And like Rodriguez, higher end parallels and autographed Pena rookies from GQ have multiplied in value as well due to his immediate postseason heroics. As the Astros continue contending, Pena looks primed to be a cornerstone player and his rookie cards stand to gain even more in the years ahead.
Superstar veterans remain blue-chip investments within the GQ set too. For example, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw’s base card #40 held a $15-20 price tag upon release but has since climbed above the $25 mark. Kershaw is a surefire Hall of Famer still chasing that elusive World Series win, making any of his cards a sound long term hold. The same applies to New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who smashed an AL record 62 home runs in 2022. Judge’s base GQ card #55 held at $15-20 and has now pushed above $25 with his huge contract year performance.
Parallels and memorabilia cards from 2022 Topps GQ also offer plenty of potential upside. The prized 1/1 parallel print runs consistently fetch four figures or more on the secondary market. For example, the Julio Rodriguez 1/1 parallel rookie card sold for over $2,000. Lower numbered parallels in the 10s or less of key stars like Trout, Judge, Kershaw and rookie standouts are also appreciating assets for savvy collectors. And rare GQ relic and autograph cards of franchise talents like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Ronald Acuña Jr. hold multi-thousand dollar valuations already.
The 2022 Topps GQ release continues to deliver premier vintage-style photography and designs that resonate strongly with the collecting community. While carrying a loftier initial price tag compared to Topps’ base sets, GQ cards often prove to be sound long term investments. Rookies who emerge as stars and veterans with Hall of Fame careers and postseasons runs tend to see their GQ cards appreciate the most over time. Savvy collectors would be wise to consider adding premier GQ cards of today’s top talents to their portfolios for future appreciation potential.
