The 2022 Topps Baseball Series 1 base set included a wide array of top rookie cards and veterans that have seen their values skyrocket since the initial release in late January. While there are certainly some standout base rookies that have appreciated greatly, there are also a fewparallels, short prints, and inserts that have eclipsed their base counterparts in price due to rarity and demand. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most valuable Series 1 cards from the 2022 release based on current PSA 10 pop report values.
One of the undisputed kings of the 2022 Series 1 release has been the Bobby Witt Jr. rainbow foil parallel #132. Witt was selected #2 overall in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals and is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in all of baseball. His regular base rookie clocked in at around $100 PSA 10 upon release but the rainbow foil parallel immediately kicked off around $400-500 in the same grade. Massive prospect hype paired with an ultra-low print run of only /50 copies made this one extremely difficult to track down. As Witt tore it up in his MLB debut season,commanding over $2000 in PSA 10 condition today, the rainbow foil has exploded to a cool $10,000 average sales price when one even comes available. Simply put, this is the true crown jewel of Series 1.
Another parallel that has smashed expectations is the Julio Rodriguez League Leaders green parallel #132 clocking in at an average of $3500 PSA 10. Like Witt, J-Rod had immense prospect popularity that translated to early MLB success further fueling collector demand. But it’s the fact that this parallel has an even lower print run of /25 that has really separated it from his base rookie which sits around $350 PSA 10. Extreme rarity always drives value but having the talent to back it up long term is what allows cards to maintain elevated prices.
Staying on the prospect theme, the Brady House blue parallel #174 checking in at a lofty $2500 PSA 10 average. House was another of baseball’s elite prospects coming into 2022 as the #3 overall pick in 2021. While he didn’t make his MLB debut this year, hisTools and pedigree kept collector attention high on his rookies. But again, it’s the bold blue parallel with an ultra-low /50 print run that collectors have chosen to significantly invest more in over his $175 PSA 10 base.
Transitioning to vet cards, the Nolan Arenado green parallel #166 checks in around $1000 PSA 10 on the secondary market. Arenado is a surefire hall of famer and one of the game’s best third baseman of this generation. Short prints are always highly sought and his green comes in at the low /50 quantity. But what’s fascinating here is how Series 1 short prints have basically eclipsed all of his base cards in value across his entire career. It just goes to show how the chase for rarer parallels supersedes accomplishments at times in the collecting hobby.
Beyond parallels, some key inserts have also gained major traction. The Luis Robert Top Prospects retro style card #89 settles around a $675 average PSA 10 value. Robert emerged as one of baseball’s brightest young stars in his first two seasons before injuries slowed his 2022 campaign. Nostalgia combined with his skill level still make his prospect cards highly sought by collectors. Another popular insert is the Bo Bichette Topps Promo Stars pink parallel #153 checking in around $500 PSA 10. Bichette remains one of the game’s most exciting young talents and his branding deals make these promo cards a coveted subset.
While Series 1 rookie stars Bobby Witt Jr, Julio Rodriguez, and Brady House understandably own the top spots on the value rankings – it’s the rare parallel scans and select inserts that have truly exploded past all expectations. With print runs of /50 or lower, these short prints offer the ultimate chase for completionists but come at tremendous premiums. Prospect hype swirling into early MLB success continues to fuel the prices longterm as well. Series 1 never disappoints as a launch pad for the hottest young talents – and 2022 did not fall short either.
