Topps Series 1 is always one of the most anticipated baseball card releases each year. The 2022 edition was no exception, as it marked the start of a new season after an exciting 2021 campaign. While rookie cards and star players will usually hold the most value long-term in any Series 1 set, here is a more in-depth look at some of the top cards from 2022 Topps Series 1 and what their current estimated values are.
One of the biggest rookie hits in the 2022 Series 1 set is Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene. Considered one of the top prospects in baseball, Greene had a strong debut late in the 2021 season and is expected to be a core piece of the Tigers rebuild going forward. His base rookie card can be found for around $15-20, while parallels and autographs fetch much higher prices. An Greene autograph rookie card recently sold on eBay for over $300, showing the demand for what could be a true star in the making.
Another highly sought-after rookie is Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby. Selected out of Elon University with the 20th overall pick in 2019, Kirby had a breakout 2021 campaign that saw him named the Mariners Minor League Pitcher of the Year. His base rookie card value is around $10-15, but short print parallels have sold for $50 or more. An on-card autograph of Kirby’s rookie fetched $250 recently. As Kirby is expected to debut in the Mariners rotation this season, his card values could rise even higher with a strong MLB start.
Staying in the AL West, Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena is one to watch. With Carlos Correa signing elsewhere in free agency, Pena is slated to take over as the Astros new everyday shortstop. While he only has a handful of MLB at-bats so far, Pena’s defense and bat are MLB-ready. His base rookie card holds a value of $8-12 currently. Autographs have sold in the $75-100 range. As Pena proves himself the heir to Correa in Houston, expect his rookie card to climb up value lists.
Two-time NL MVP and Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts remains one of the most desirable cards in any set. His base 2022 Series 1 card holds a value of $15-20. Short prints and parallels can reach $40-50. Betts is still in his prime and consistently producing at an elite level. As long as he stays healthy, his cards should retain strong demand. A PSA 10 gem mint Betts base card recently sold for over $100 on eBay.
Another perennial MVP candidate who maintains high card values is New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer. The three-time Cy Young winner was a big acquisition by the Mets last season. His base 2022 Series 1 card value is $12-15. Autographs have sold for around $75-100. Scherzer remains one of the best pitchers in baseball at 37-years old. As long as he continues pitching like an ace, his cards will be popular with collectors.
Beyond rookies and stars, there are also some key short prints and parallels in the 2022 Topps Series 1 set that hold nice premiums. The highly sought-after rainbow foil parallel cards for players like Betts, Scherzer, Shohei Ohtani, and Ronald Acuna Jr. have sold for $30-50 each. Low numbered parallels under /50 for top rookies like Greene and Kirby reach $75-100. And short prints of veterans like Nolan Arenado, Jose Ramirez, and Freddie Freeman can reach the $15-25 range.
While it’s still very early, the 2022 Topps Series 1 release offers collectors opportunities with rookies like Greene and Kirby, established stars like Betts and Scherzer, and hard-to-find parallels. As the season progresses, performances on the field will dictate card values. But this set established a solid foundation of cards that could become long-term keepers in collections, from affordable base rookies to high-end autographed parallels. The excitement of a new baseball year was captured in the latest edition of Topps’ venerable Series 1 brand.
