The 2022 baseball card season was highly anticipated after several years of booming popularity and skyrocketing card prices during the pandemic. As one of the premiere high-end brands, Panini’s Capstone release was one to watch. Capstone inserts serially numbered cards of prospect autos and veteran star rookies. While any card from the set could potentially gain value, here are some of the clear standouts as being among the most valuable 2022 Panini Capstone baseball cards:
Shohei Ohtani Auto /150 – As the current AL MVP and one of the game’s brightest young stars, any Ohtani card holds value. But his Capstone auto, serially numbered to just 150 copies globally, took his collectability to another level. Clean on-card autos of the two-way phenom simply don’t exist in high numbers. Comps online showed this coveted Ohtani reaching prices north of $2,000 – making it a true blue chip card from the set.
Juan Soto Auto /10 – Soto emerged as a true superstar in 2019 still being just 24 years old. His game-used memorabilia cards routinely top charts. But finding his auto in any modern release is a true chase. With a print run of only 10 copies, this spectacular Soto auto is surely a cornerstone card in any collection. Early comps showed it commanding well over $5,000, further cementing Soto as a star whose every on-card auto is a potential prize piece.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Auto /25 – Prior to his knee injury that cost him almost all of 2022, Acuña was consensus best young player in the game. His Acuña Fire variant auto could be pulled from Capstone hobby packs. With a serial number of /25, it became an instant hit. While prices dipped with his injury absence, long term this scarce Acuña is poised to regain and surpass early values around $3,000 as he returns to full health and dominance.
Mike Trout Patch Auto /5 – The consensus best player of his generation, Trout cards have held value incredibly well for over a decade now. Finding any new Trout patch auto is a true one-in-a-million pull. But one numbered to a world-wide run of just 5 copies takes the excitement and prestige to an entirely new level. Early comps showed estimates well over $10,000, truly cementing this as one of the rarest and most valuable modern cards available.
Kirby Puckett Auto /25 – A true Hall of Famer and beloved star, Puckett’s career was tragically cut short. But his legacy lives on through his cards. As one of just 25 copies featuring his clean on-card signature, this Puckett stands out among even other rare retired star autos. Especially for collectors with connections to Puckett’s time with the Twins, this promised to take on tremendous significance and value for years to come.
Miguel Cabrera Auto 1/1 – Cabrera’s Hall of Fame resume and hit prowess make any auto of his highly coveted, but finding his lone 1/1 printing from Capstone elevated the card to a whole new stratosphere. As the sole copy of its kind in the world, this Cabrera promised to take on a almost religiousSignificance for collectors. Early estimates placed value already far into the five-figure range, but with Cabrera still playing at an All-Star level, this 1/1 is sure to only gain more prestige over the years.
Jacob deGrom Patch Auto /5 – Prior to his constant injury issues, deGrom was the best pitcher on the planet and a true modern ace. His autographed Patch numbered to just 5 copies gave collectors one of the best chances to own a new deGrom auto, which have become increasingly scarce. Even with health concerns, the prestige of such a short print run ensured its place among the most elite 2012 Capstone cards at an estimated $10,000+.
Willie Mays Auto /10 – As one of the icons of the game with a legend that spans generations, any new Willie Mays finds are truly notable. But an auto from one of just 10 copies created for Capstone brought collectors unprecedented access to a true living legend. The nostalgia and prestige attached to Mays’ career guaranteed this would become an untouchable trophy piece at any cost, likely exceeding six figures when it eventually comes up for sale years from now.
Overall the 2022 Panini Capstone baseball release gave collectors access to many new short printed parallels and hit-worthy vintage legends they never thought possible. While early estimates placed individual cards in the many thousands, for the true one-of-ones and lowest serial numbered inserts, their values will surely continue multiplying as more collectors enter the market and appreciate their uniqueness for generations to come. The rarest pulls from 2022 Capstone set a new standard for the hobby and will stand as some of the most valuable modern baseball cards ever produced.
