The 2022 baseball season saw the release of Series 1, Series 2, and Update baseball cards from Topps, the longest running and most popular brand in the hobby. While most packs and boxes of these modern sets contain cards worth just a few dollars, some rookie stars and big name veterans surfaced in ultra rare parallels and numbered variations that have already climbed up the hobby’s most valuable lists. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the priciest 2022 Topps baseball cards on the market right now.
One of the top rookies of 2022 was Houston Astros outfielder and All-Star Juilian Javier. His bazooka green parallel /50 from Series 1 quickly became a hot item, with PSA 10 example recently selling for $1,750. Another coveted Javier is his black border negative parallel /75, which has traded hands for up to $1,200 raw. But the true blue chip Javier rookie is his gold /2021 parallel, only one printed for each year of issue. Ungraded examples have sold for well over $2,000 due to their extreme scarcity.
Staying in Houston, Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena had a breakout rookie campaign that culminated in World Series MVP honors. While his standard rookie cards settle in the $50-100 range, low-numbered parallels exploded in value. His Series 1 silver pack pink /250 parallel reached $850 for a PSA 10, with BGS/SGC 9.5s bringing $650+. An even more limited parallel, his 2022 Update green /99, climbed above $1,000 PSA 10. But the true high-end Pena is his /2021 gold parallel, with two recently selling in the $2,500 range.
Seattle Mariners rookie pitcher George Kirby found similar Stratospheric card prices due to his outstanding debut season. Considered one of the top pitching prospects, Kirby’s Series 1 silver pack purple /250 moved above $700 in top grades. His 2022 Update blue ice /99 parallel broke $1,000 PSA 10 as well. Like Pena, Kirby’s most elite parallel is the 2021 Topps gold /2021, with two high-end examples trading at $2,200 and $2,500 in the last month.
Rookies weren’t the only ones with big money cards, as superstar veterans also showed out. For example, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner had a monster season that was highlighted by his Series 1 silver pack red /250 parallel reaching $800 PSA 10. His 2022 Update green ice /99 also pushed $1,000. But the true crown jewel is Turner’s gold /2021 parallel, with two mint PSA 10s recently selling at $3,000 and $3,250.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge’s chase for the single season home run record created massive buzz, and it’s reflected in his 2022 cards. While his base Topps rookies still trade under $100, Judge parallels from this year soared. His Series 1 silver pack blue /250 moved above $650 PSA 10, with the 1/1 superfractor parallel hitting an astonishing $5,000 raw online despite being unsigned. Judge’s 2022 Update gold /2021 parallel has also cracked $2,500 PSA 10.
Topps’ flagship sets aren’t the only products containing major hits. The 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter set insert cards frequently net big bucks as well. For example, the Javier Golden Moments autograph parallel sold for almost $1,000 PSA 10. Other top Allen & Ginter cards include a Mike Trout green foil /99 at $650 PSA 10 and an Aaron Judge green foil /99 flying past $1,000 in top condition.
While it’s still early, certain base rookie cards have also emerged as blue-chip long term prospects. Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker’s Series 1 regular rookie settled into the $50-75 range PSA 10 after his electric debut. But his Update silver pack purple /250 has jumped above $400 already. Similarly, Mariners pitcher George Kirby’s base cards hold near $75 PSA 10 with room to rise. On the investment side, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. rookies from their debut seasons in 2018 have both appreciated well over 10x in the same span.
While bulk 2022 Topps baseball cards remain inexpensive, the right parallels and shortprints of top rookies and stars have shown they can achieve tremendous values. With holding power proven in the hobby for decades, flagship Topps cards remain a staple of long term collections. Examples like Javier, Pena, Kirby, Judge and more from this season offer compelling prospects for future appreciation potential.
