The 2022 Topps Update Series baseball card set was released in late August/early September and it didn’t take long for the new cards to start popping up on the popular auction site eBay. As one of the final major releases of the year, Update always carries some intrigue as it provides fans a chance to get cards of players who weren’t included in the base Topps Series 1 or Series 2 sets from earlier in the year.
The 2022 Topps Update set contains 330 total base cards along with various parallels, inserts, and autographs to chase. While the base rookies and stars tend to drive the most interest initially after release, savvy collectors know that Update often provides some of the best long-term holding cards thanks to prospect breakouts and career-defining seasons that occur after the regular season sets are finalized each year.
Not surprisingly, many of the top rookie cards from the 2022 class were among the first Update cards to gain traction on the eBay marketplace. Cards of Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez, Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II, and Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman were in high demand from both collectors completing their rookie collections as well as investors betting on continued success from these promising young talents.
Within the first week of cards hitting the secondary market, PSA 10 graded versions of the Rodriguez and Rutschman rookies were bringing prices north of $100. Raw copies were trading hands in the $15-30 range depending on the specific parallel. The Harris rookie also gained buzz after a strong September call-up and his base card could be found for $10-20 while PSA 10s climbed to $50-75.
Veteran stars getting their close-up shots in Update also found favor among eBay buyers. Cards of reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper, budding superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. after returning from injury, and ageless wonder Albert Pujols chasing the 700 home run milestone moved briskly. Harper autos and parallels moved for $75-150 depending on serial number while Pujols relics and memorabilia cards brought $50-100 due to collector interest in his historic career.
Prospect hounds eagerly sorted through the Update rookie crop as well. Cards of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Xavier Edwards, Detroit Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe, and Boston Red Sox outfielder Elijah Ramirez were early fliers being picked up for future potential. Their base rookies traded hands for $5-10 while higher end parallels climbed to $20-30 based on their status as top prospects.
As is always the case with modern issues on eBay, there was no shortage of lucrative autographs, memorabilia cards, and 1/1 parallels to drive bidding wars among the most avid collectors. Some early notables included a Julio Rodriguez auto that hammered for $800, a Ronald Acuna Jr. “Hitting Streak” relic that ended at $575, and a Nolan Arenado “Captain America” parallel 1/1 that commanded $1,250 after 15 bids.
The middle market of solid veteran stars and emerging young talents also found appeal. Guys like Seattle’s Eugenio Suarez ($10-20), Atlanta’s Michael Harris II ($15-30), Toronto’s Alek Manoah ($20-40) and Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson ($25-50) moved steadily based on their 2022 performances and future potential. Ohtani, Soto, Acuna and other household names settled in the $5-15 range depending on parallel.
As more boxes were cracked in the ensuing weeks, the eBay population of 2022 Topps Update cards continued to grow. Later standouts included rookie phenoms Oneil Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr. and Spencer Strider who all gained notice. Parallels and short prints of the top rookies remained the focus of bidding showdowns while lower serial autographs and relics of stars like Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts brought six-figure sums.
By late fall, the initial fervor died down some as most collectors looking to add Update to their collections had done so. Savvy investors continued to prowl the listings, snapping up long-term holds on rookies, prospects and stars they felt had staying power. Meanwhile, collectors on a budget had plenty to choose from as even base versions of the biggest names could be found for under $5.
As the postseason played out and award seasons neared, certain 2022 performances had eBay sellers raising prices back up on cards like Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Schwarber and Justin Verlander who shined when it mattered most. And with the 2023 season fast approaching, activity was sure to ramp up again as the cycle continued anew with a fresh crop of rookies and prospects on the horizon in the next year’s inaugural release.
The 2022 Topps Update baseball card release provided yet another fun way for collectors of all levels to stay engaged throughout the fall season via engaging eBay auctions. Rookies, stars and prospects all had their moments, but it’s the long-term holds unearthed years later that often provide the biggest thrills for savvy investors who do their homework on the annual Update issues.
