The 2022 Topps Opening Day baseball card set is one of the first major releases of the new season from card manufacturer Topps. As with past years, the Opening Day set provides fans with an exciting first look at the upcoming year in baseball through player and team photography from spring training. The 2022 release has some notable differences and new additions that make it an interesting set for collectors.
Containing 330 total cards, the 2022 Topps Opening Day set is slightly larger than recent years. The base cards feature a clean and classic design with team logos across the top and player photos taking up most of the front of the card. As with all Topps sets, the photography and production quality is top-notch. Fans will find sharp, high-resolution images of their favorite players ready for the new season. Ranging in number from 1 to 330, the base cards provide a thorough representation of players from all 30 MLB teams.
New for 2022 is the inclusion of 15 prospect cards mixed in with the base series. Highlighting some of the most exciting up-and-coming young talent in the minors, these prospect cards give collectors a sneak peek at future MLB stars. Names like Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals and Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners are featured. The prospect cards have a design similar to the base cards but with a photo of the player in their minor league uniform and a call-out highlighting what team they are a prospect of.
Veteran collectors will also notice some changes to the parallels and inserts found in hobby boxes of 2022 Topps Opening Day. In place of the usual “Green Shimmer” and “Gold” parallel variations from years past are two new parallels – “Green” and “Orange.” Both maintain the base card design but feature the player photo color-tinted to match the parallel color. The Green parallels have an print run of 1 per pack while the more scarce Orange parallels come in at around 1 per 10 packs.
Insert cards in 2022 also see an update with two new sets focused on awards and milestones. The 10-card “Awards Alley” insert set highlights some of baseball’s biggest individual honors like MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year. Meant to preview awards races for the upcoming season, each card features a trophy graphic overlay on the player photo. Similarly, the “Milestone Moments” insert set teases potential history-making achievements in 2022 like a player’s march toward 3,000 career hits or 500 career home runs. Both inserts continue Topps’ trend of adding more storylines and stats-based content beyond just base rosters.
Autograph and memorabilia cards are also present as chase cards for the high-end collector. “Topps Authentic” autographed cards can feature on-card or sticker autographs from both stars and prospects. “Topps Museum Collection” relic cards include uniform swatches, bat slivers, and other game-used memorabilia paired with sharp photographs. As with the base cards, the photography and production quality of these high-end inserts is top-notch. Numbered to much lower print runs, autographs and relics add excitement and significantly higher values to hobby boxes.
Outside of the base set and inserts, collectors can also find additional short print and parallel variations in hobby packs. With lower print runs come higher scarcity and greater excitement upon finding these rare pulls. Examples include “Gold Foil” parallels numbered to only 10 copies each or 1/1 “Platinum” parallels that are completely unique. The “Green Shimmer” parallel also returns with an even lower print run of 1 in every 300 packs to satisfy veteran collectors. Chasing these scarce parallel and short print cards provides a fun layer of chase and suspense to each Opening Day break.
The 2022 Topps Opening Day baseball card set builds nicely on the foundation and tradition of the annual spring release while making some smart updates. The inclusion of prospects and new inserts focused on awards and milestones add modern relevance and excitement. As with all Topps flagship sets, the photography and production are top-notch. Between the base roster cards, inserts, autographs, and various parallel variations, the 2022 release provides something for all levels of collectors. Whether enjoying the classic design, chasing specific players, or seeking out the rarest cards, Topps Opening Day is a highly anticipated way for fans to get their baseball card fix as Opening Day approaches.
