The 2022 season was a memorable one for the Atlanta Braves franchise. Coming off their first World Series title since 1995, the Braves were looking to defend their championship. Led by young stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley, veteran leadership from Freddie Freeman and Charlie Morton, and strong pitching from Max Fried and Kyle Wright, the Braves dominated the NL East with their 101-61 record. Their excellent season resulted in many Braves players having standout individual campaigns that were captured on some of the most popular baseball cards from 2022.
Perhaps the most noteworthy Braves card from 2022 was Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Topps Chrome Superfractor. Acuña missed a large chunk of the 2021 season with a torn ACL but returned in mid-May of 2022 and picked up where he left off, batting .266 with 8 home runs in just 46 games. His elite talent and youth made him one of the most exciting players in baseball, so collectors were eager to get their hands on premium Acuña cards after his comeback. The Topps Chrome Superfractor, with its refractor parallel and 1-of-1 print run, became the most coveted Acuña card on the market and regularly sells for thousands of dollars.
Another young Atlanta star who shined bright on 2022 cards was third baseman Austin Riley. After breaking out with a 33 home run season in 2021, Riley took his game to an even higher level in 2022 by slugging a career-best .423 batting average with 38 home runs and 107 RBI, finishing third in NL MVP voting. Riley’s stellar season was well-represented on cards, with standouts being his Topps Finest Auto and Topps Chrome Orange Refractor /99, which highlighted his breakout campaign with rare parallel and autograph parallels. As Riley continues developing into a perennial All-Star, his 2022 rookie cards will be ones to watch appreciate in value over time.
While Acuña and Riley led the offense, Max Fried anchored the pitching staff with another rock-solid season. The lanky lefty went 14-7 with a 2.48 ERA and struck out 174 batters over 173.1 innings as Atlanta’s ace. Fried’s superb control abilities and ability to induce weak contact made him one of the most effective starters in baseball. His 2022 Topps Finest Auto /99 and Topps Chrome Refractor captured Fried at the peak of his powers and will remain highly sought after in collector circles for years.
Veteran slugger Matt Olson also made his mark in his first season with Atlanta after being acquired in an offseason trade from Oakland. Olson slammed a team-leading 39 home runs and drove in 111 runs while providing steady defense at first base. His Topps Finest Orange Refractor /99 and Topps Chrome Superfractor 1/1 highlighted Olson’s immediate impact and solidified him as a fan-favorite in Atlanta. With Olson under team control through 2027, his 2022 rookie cards with the Braves hold strong long-term value.
In addition to the young stars’ top rookies, veterans like Freddie Freeman, Charlie Morton, and Dansby Swanson also had notable cards from 2022. Freeman’s likely final season in Atlanta before signing with the Dodgers in free agency was honored with popular cards like his Topps Finest Auto and Topps Chrome Orange Refractor. At 34, Charlie Morton continued to defy father time by going 7-5 with a 3.47 ERA and providing leadership at the back of Atlanta’s rotation. His Topps Finest Patch and Topps Chrome Refractor /99 captured one of the elder statesmen of the staff. And shortstop Dansby Swanson put together his best offensive season with a .277 average and 21 home runs, earning inserts in Topps Finest and Bowman Chrome.
The Atlanta Braves’ 101-win 2022 season and run to their fifth straight NL East title produced some of the most desirable baseball cards in recent memory. Rookies of Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Matt Olson alongside veterans like Max Fried, Freddie Freeman and Charlie Morton highlighted Atlanta’s dominance and captivated collectors nationwide. With a young core still under team control, the future remains bright for the Braves franchise and the value of their 2022 rookie cards.
