2022 marked the 69th year of Topps producing Opening Day baseball cards. The 2022 Topps Opening Day set featured designs and photography celebrating the start of the new Major League Baseball season. Like most modern baseball card releases, the 2022 Topps Opening Day set focused on current players across all 30 MLB teams. While not Topps’ flagship product of the year, Opening Day sets in recent years have included cards of top rookies and prospects that have gained value with their on-field performances. Let’s take a closer look at the 2022 Topps Opening Day set and analyze card values.
The 2022 Topps Opening Day base set included 330 total cards spanning all 30 MLB teams. Rosters included active players as well as a few prospects expected to make their MLB debuts during the 2022 season. Similar to 2021, the 2022 Topps Opening Day set was sold in jumbo packs containing 12 cards as well as blaster and hobby boxes. Parallels and inserts added to the overall card count. The base cards featured clean and simple design aesthetics highlighting each player’s team and uniform colors. While not the flashiest design compared to other Topps releases, the photography and production quality were on par for what collectors expect from modern Topps baseball cards.
In terms of early card values for the 2022 Topps Opening Day base set, most common parallels and base rookies could be acquired for under $1-2 per card shortly after release. This is typical for modern Topps Opening Day releases, as the sets are produced in high numbers and include many current MLB veterans. The true value lies in rookie cards of players who go on to stardom. Some notable rookies included in the 2022 Topps Opening Day set were Reds pitcher Hunter Greene, Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez, and Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan – all of whom went on to have impressive MLB debut seasons. Their base rookie cards increased in value throughout the 2022 season, selling in the $5-10 range by the end of the year.
Greene, Rodriguez, and Kwan were not the only 2022 rookies included who showed promise. Other top prospects like Padres shortstop C.J. Abrams, Giants catcher Joey Bart, and Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter all had their rookie debuts featured. While these players didn’t have breakout rookie campaigns on the level of Rodriguez or Kwan, their cards still hold intrigue and increased slightly in value to the $3-5 range based purely on their status as top prospects arriving in the big leagues. Of course, if any of Abrams, Bart, or Leiter go on to stardom down the road, their 2022 Topps Opening Day rookie cards could appreciate significantly from current values.
In addition to base rookies, the 2022 Topps Opening Day set also included several parallels and inserts highlighting top prospects and young stars. The most valuable of these were the rainbow foil parallels, which featured additional color-shifting foil elements on the fronts of the cards. RCs and stars like Wander Franco, Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, and Shohei Ohtani all had these attractive rainbow foil variants. While pulled at low rates, these parallels offered collectors something aesthetically different from the standard base cards. Early on, they commanded a premium of $5-10 over the base cards but could increase over time if those players continue their success.
Another popular insert set in 2022 Topps Opening Day was the “Ones To Watch” subset highlighting up-and-coming young talent. This included 12 cards focusing on players like Bobby Witt Jr., Adley Rutschman, Spencer Torkelson, and more. While not true “rookies,” these prospects were among the most highly anticipated young players yet to make their MLB debuts. The “Ones To Watch” cards captured these players’ excitement and potential, and held steady values of $3-5 each throughout the season. Of course, if any of these top prospects break out in 2023 and beyond, their “Ones To Watch” cards could become quite valuable long term.
While 2022 Topps Opening Day base cards did not carry huge values right out of the pack, the set proved to have long term value and appreciation potential tied to rookie cards and prospects. Headline rookies Julio Rodriguez, Steven Kwan, and Hunter Greene saw their cards increase throughout a successful 2022 campaign. Meanwhile, the set also included cards capturing top prospects on the cusp like C.J. Abrams and Bobby Witt Jr. that hold value based on their future potential. Parallels like the rainbow foils and inserts such as “Ones To Watch” provided collectors aesthetic and investment options beyond the base rookie cards. As long as Topps continues highlighting emerging young talent in their Opening Day releases, the sets will remain an important part of the modern baseball card landscape and collecting market.
