The 2022 baseball season is well underway and the hobby of collecting baseball cards is as popular as ever. With another exciting year of baseball ahead of us, now is a great time to consider investing in some of the top rookie cards and prospects from the 2022 baseball card sets that could appreciate significantly in value over the coming years. Let’s take a look at some of the best 2022 baseball cards to consider adding to your investment portfolio.

Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles (Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto) – As the top prospect in baseball heading into 2022 and the consensus #1 pick from the 2019 MLB Draft, Rutschman has all the tools to be a superstar. He made his MLB debut in late April and should be the franchise catcher for the O’s for years to come. His autographed prospect cards from sets like Bowman Chrome sell in the $100-200 range now but have serious potential to appreciate up to $1,000 or more if he becomes the star many project.

Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (Topps Chrome Rainbow Foil) – Witt had a phenomenal rookie season after being the #2 overall pick in 2019 and is widely considered the best pure hitting prospect in the minors. He made his MLB debut on Opening Day and has all the skills to be an all-star caliber player for a long time. His Topps Chrome rainbow foil rookie cards have already doubled in price since the start of the season to around $50-75 but still have room to grow exponentially if he becomes a franchise cornerstone.

Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (Bowman Chrome Auto) – J-Rod has five-tool talent and was one of the top prospects heading into 2022 after being signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2017. He made his MLB debut in early May and has been lighting it up at the plate while showing off his elite defense and speed. His autographed rookie cards from sets like Bowman Chrome are around $150-250 now but there’s no limit to how high they could climb if he fulfills his superstar potential.

Spencer Torkelson, Detroit Tigers (Topps Chrome Auto) – As the #1 overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State, Torkelson has huge power potential at first base and should be a mainstay in the middle of the Tigers’ order for years. He struggled in his MLB debut but has been tearing it up in Triple-A and will likely get another shot soon. His autographed Topps Chrome rookie cards have dipped to around $50-75 in the short term but are primed to rebound strongly if he finds success at the highest level.

Cade Cavalli, Washington Nationals (Bowman Chrome Auto) – Cavalli was Washington’s first round pick in 2020 and has electric stuff on the mound with a mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. He made his MLB debut in late June and could develop into an ace if he refines his command. His autographed rookie cards from Bowman Chrome are still affordable around $75-125 but have the potential for huge returns if he emerges as the Nats’ future #1 starter.

Jack Leiter, Texas Rangers (Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil) – As the #2 overall pick out of Vanderbilt in 2021, Leiter has ace-level stuff and polish on the mound. He dominated in Double-A to start 2022 and got a late season callup. His Topps Chrome autographed rainbow foils are around $150-250 now but could multiply in value many times over if he establishes himself as the Rangers’ new franchise pitcher.

Brennan Davis, Chicago Cubs (Topps Chrome Auto) – Davis has five-tool potential in the outfield and was Chicago’s 2nd round pick in 2018. He made his MLB debut in late June and should be a fixture for years to come if he puts it all together. His Topps Chrome autographed rookie cards are still under $100 but are a great long term investment for someone with his upside.

George Kirby, Seattle Mariners (Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil) – Kirby has electric stuff as a potential frontline starter and was Seattle’s 1st round pick in 2019. He made his MLB debut in early July and could develop into an ace if his command continues progressing. His Topps Chrome rainbow foil autographed rookie cards are around $150-250 now but poised to multiply in value significantly if he realizes his full potential.

Eury Perez, Cincinnati Reds (Topps Chrome Auto) – Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, Perez has five-tool talent and elite speed that allowed him to steal home twice in 2022. He made his MLB debut in late July and could develop into a perennial all-star if everything clicks. His Topps Chrome autographed rookie cards in the $75-125 range now are a bargain for someone with his ceiling.

Ezequiel Tovar, Colorado Rockies (Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil) – Signed out of Venezuela in 2017, Tovar has the skills and athleticism to be a franchise shortstop. He dominated at Double-A to start 2022 and got called up in August. His Topps Chrome rainbow foil autographed rookie cards in the $150-250 range now could multiply tenfold if he emerges as the Rockies’ new superstar.

Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners (Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil) – As Seattle’s 1st round pick in 2020, Hancock has frontline starter upside with a plus fastball and devastating slider. He dominated at Double-A to start 2022 and could debut later this year. His Topps Chrome rainbow foil autographed rookie cards around $150-250 are a bargain for someone who could develop into the Mariners’ new ace.

C.J. Abrams, Washington Nationals (Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil) – Acquired from San Diego in the Juan Soto/Josh Bell trade, Abrams was originally the Padres’ 1st round pick in 2019 and has the skills to be an all-star shortstop for years. He made his Nationals debut in August and his Topps Chrome rainbow foil autographed rookie cards in the $150-250 range now could multiply significantly if he fulfills his potential.

Bryce Hall, Atlanta Braves (Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil) – Atlanta’s 1st round pick in 2020, Hall has frontline starter upside with a mid-90s fastball and plus slider. He dominated at High-A to start 2022 and is poised to rocket through the system. His Topps Chrome rainbow foil autographed rookie cards around $150 now are a bargain for someone who could develop into the Braves’ new ace.

Ethan Murray, Tampa Bay Rays (Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil) – Murray was Tampa’s 3rd round pick in 2021 and has the skills and athleticism to develop into a five-tool star in the outfield. He held his own at High-A in 2022 and his Topps Chrome rainbow foil autographed rookie cards in the $150 range now are a great long term investment in someone with his ceiling.

Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs (Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil) – Chicago’s 1st round pick in 2022 straight out of Oklahoma, Horton has frontline starter upside with a mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider. He held his own in his pro debut and his Topps Chrome rainbow foil autographed rookie cards around $150 now could multiply significantly if he develops as hoped.

Brooks Lee, San Diego Padres (Topps Chrome Auto Rainbow Foil) – As San Diego’s 1st round pick in 2022 from Cal Poly, Lee has the skills to develop into an all-star caliber player at third base. He held his own in his pro debut and his Topps Chrome rainbow foil autographed rookie cards around $150 now are a bargain for someone with his upside.

The 2022 rookie class has several elite prospects that have the potential to become franchise cornerstones and superstars for their respective teams for years to come. While investing in trading cards carries risks, focusing on high-end rookies like Rutschman, Witt Jr., Rodriguez and the others mentioned here offers an opportunity for huge long term returns if even a few of them fulfill their potential. With another exciting baseball season underway, now is a great time to scout the market for undervalued rookie cards from this year’s crop that could appreciate significantly in the years ahead.