The 2022 Bowman Chrome Baseball set had many rookie cards and short prints that have the potential to become very valuable in the future. As one of the flagship baseball card sets released each year by Topps, Bowman Chrome contains prospects, top minor leaguers, and major leaguers at the beginning of their careers. Here are some of the standout rookie cards and short prints from the 2022 edition that could appreciate significantly in price down the road:
Adley Rutschman – Rutschman is widely considered the top prospect in all of baseball and makes his rookie card debut in 2022 Bowman Chrome. As the #1 overall pick in 2019 and consensus best catcher prospect, Rutschman’s cards have been highly sought after. His refractor rookie is currently the most valuable card from the set, selling for upwards of $300 in top graded gem mint condition. As the potential future catcher and leader of the Baltimore Orioles franchise, Rutschman has superstar potential that could drive his cards up even higher in value long term.
Julio Rodriguez – The Seattle Mariners outfielder had a breakout season in 2022 and firmly established himself as one of MLB’s brightest young stars. His prospect hype was already immense prior to debuting in the majors, and his cards from 2022 Bowman Chrome like the refractor have taken off in secondary market value as a result. Currently grading a PSA 10 example can fetch over $200 given Rodriguez’s exciting future outlook. He looks poised to be the next big thing and a true superstar, making this an early rookie card that could appreciate exponentially.
Bobby Witt Jr. – Witt made Kansas City Royals fans forget about Adalberto Mondesi by having an outstanding rookie campaign in 2022 that landed him in AL Rookie of the Year consideration. His raw tools and five-tool ability have always tantalized scouts, and now that he’s proven himself at the highest level, Witt’s cards have skyrocketed. The prestigious refractor rookie parallel has regularly sold for over $150 in Gem Mint condition as one of the prized rookies from this Bowman product. With flashy plays and jaw-dropping home runs in his future, Witt can be a franchise cornerstone and 20+ home run shortstop for years.
Spencer Strider – Despite not entering the Braves system until 2020 as an undrafted free agent, Strider emerged as one of their brightest young arms in 2022 with an electrifying fastball. The fireballing starter made his major league debut and showed strikeout ability rarely seen in today’s game, fanning over 200 batters in less than 150 innings pitched. As a true breakout, Strider’s cards rose late in the year after his sensational rookie season. The refractor remains under $100 but has great potential long term as he establishes himself as a staff ace.
Emerson Hancock – Selected with the sixth overall pick in 2020 out of Georgia, Hancock is one of the highest touted pitching prospects in the minors. Injuries have slowed his development path a bit, but his plus fastball and curveball give him a strong starter ceiling. The refractor variation of his rookie card remains relatively affordable under $50 for now, but Hancock’s upside and prospect pedigree make it a card that could boom over the long run if he reaches his potential.
Cade Cavalli – Along with Hancock, Cavalli headlines the group of elite pitching prospects from the 2020 MLB Draft class. Selected 22nd overall by the Washington Nationals, Cavalli owns a 100 mph heater and three above-average secondary pitches. He made his MLB debut in 2022 with success and should settle into the rotation in 2023. The refractor rookie is a prime candidate to outperform expectations given Cavalli’s abilities and role on a rebuilding Nationals team going forward.
Jonathon Small – As a fifth round pick in 2021, Small exploded onto the prospect scene by dominating high-A ball as a teenager in 2022 to the tune of a 0.97 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched. He’s now one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball and a future ace candidate for the Philadelphia Phillies. Small’s 2022 Bowman Chrome refractor rookie remains very affordable for the upside. This pick could deliver immense returns down the line.
Mark Vientos – The Mets third base prospect has always had above-average raw power and hit tools, and started to put it all together in 2022 by slugging over 20 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. At just 22 years old, Vientos looks ready to debut in New York in 2023 and could eventually take over as the every day third baseman. Given the scarce power hitting third base prospect market, Vientos’ cards hold great long term value, especially the refractor rookie which remains under $50 for now.
Jackson Chourio – As the first high school position player selected in the 2022 MLB Draft at number nine overall by the Brewers, Chourio brings immense tools and upside to the table as a potential five-tool center fielder. Still in A-ball at just 18 years old, his development path is long, but Chourio offers home run/stolen base potential and reflexes in the field that could make him a true superstar. The refractor variation leads his rookie cards with a relatively affordable price tag given his extraordinary ceiling.
Gabriel Hughes – The Jays third round selection in 2021 has quickly emerged as one of their most promising pitching prospects. With a plus fastball and two impressive secondary pitches in his curveball and slider, Hughes has already reached High-A at 21 years old after dominating Low-A. Standing 6’8″, Hughes brings frontline starter stuff and has the potential to rise quickly. His rookie refractor continues to be available at a fair value compared to the upside.
Elijah Greene – nabbed in the third round by the Dodgers in 2022 out of prep ball, Greene is an exceptionally toolsy shortstop with plus speed, instincts in the field, and developing hitting tools. He faced challenging competition in his pro debut at just 18 years old. Greene is the type of high-ceiling prospect that could ascend through the system rapidly with Dodgers player development. His Bowman Chrome rookie refractor presents itself as an affordable option on a future star.
This covers some of the standout rookies and prospects with the biggest upside from 2022 Bowman Chrome baseball that could appreciate significantly in the years to come as more of their potential and career trajectories are realized at the MLB level. The refractor and short print parallels from this set offer affordable opportunists to gain exposure to future all-star talent right at their earliest card appearances. With new young stars emerging each year, savvy collectors can find opportunities by targeting these types of rookies before they establish themselves as household names.
