The 2022 Panini Prizm baseball set has seen considerable hype and many valuable rookie cards emerge in the months since its release. Panini Prizm has become one of the premier modern sports card brands known for highlighting top rookies and producing cards that hold strong value. This year’s set was no exception, showcasing several rookies who made immediate impacts in their debut MLB seasons. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top young stars and most sought-after cards from the 2022 Panini Prizm baseball release.
Bobby Witt Jr. Prizm Green /99 (#PWJ) – Bobby Witt Jr. had a phenomenal rookie campaign with the Kansas City Royals, showcasing why he was considered a consensus top prospect. The five-tool shortstop hit 20 home runs, stole 30 bases and established himself as a cornerstone player for the Royals’ future. His Prizm Green parallel was limited to only 99 copies, making it one of the scarcest versions of his rookie card on the market. Given his outstanding debut and star potential, Witt’s green Prizm is a favorite for collectors and consistently commands four-figure prices.
Spencer Strider Prizm Orange Wave /49 (#SS) – Arguably one of the biggest breakout stars of 2022 was Braves pitcher Spencer Strider. After beginning the year in Triple-A, Strider got the call up to Atlanta’s rotation in June and took off from there with his mid-90s fastball and lethal knuckle curves. He finished the season with a 2.67 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 131.2 innings as a huge piece of Atlanta’s World Series run. His rookie cards skyrocketed in value as his dominance became apparent, with the limited orange wave parallel being one of the most sought-after short prints around.
Julio Rodriguez Prizm Green Sparkle (#JR13) – Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez had a phenomenal debut campaign that saw him finish second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Between his 20 home runs, 25 steals and highlight-reel defense, “J-Rod” established himself as a young superstar and franchise cornerstone in Seattle. Of the many prized rookie cards from his release, the prizm green sparkle stands out as one of the scarcest, limited to an extremely low population of under 20 copies. Rodriguez’s cards hold huge value already, and this extraordinary short print could very well become one of the most iconic rookie cards from the class in the coming years.
Michael Harris II Prizm Gold Sparkle Auto /10 (#MH23) – Braves centerfielder Michael Harris II came up late in the season but contributed greatly to Atlanta’s championship run with excellent defense and a .297 batting average. His on-field production combined with the scarcity of his autographed gold sparkle parallel, which is numbered to a tiny population of just 10 copies, make this one of the most visually stunning and valuable rookie cards available. Securing one of these highly limited Harris rookies at such an early stage of his career positions a collector extremely well for his future potential upside.
Adley Rutschman Blue Wave Prizm Auto /75 (#AR2) – As the top prospect in baseball for several years, expectations were sky-high for Adley Rutschman’s MLB debut with the Orioles. Though he endured some offensive struggles early on, Rutschman flashed the outstanding defense and leadership that make him a future star. His blue wave autograph parallel from Panini Prizm, limited to just 75 copies, stands out as one of his top rookie cards due to its beauty, scarcity and potential to appreciate greatly if Rutschman develops into the perennial all-star many project.
Oneil Cruz Prizm Green Auto /99 (#OC80) – Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz made a lightning-quick ascent through the minors in 2022 due in large part to his mammoth 6’7″ frame and awe-inspiring home runs. Despite playing in just 48 games, Cruz demonstrated why he’s one of baseball’s most intriguing prospects. His Prizm green autograph, with a print run of 99 copies, is highly popular with collectors seeking exposure to Cruz before he presumably breaks out as Pittsburgh’s next star. At just 23 years old, Cruz has legitimate superstar potential that could make this card significantly more valuable down the line.
Cade Cavalli Prizm Blue Velocity Auto /99 (#CC17) – Nationals pitching prospect Cade Cavalli saw his stock rise even more in 2022 thanks to blistering fastball velocity that reached as high as 102 mph. The former first-round pick appears poised to make his MLB debut in 2023 and could quickly emerge as Washington’s new ace. For collectors, his prizm blue velocity autographed parallel offers a short printed way to get involved with Cavalli at an early stage, given its limited print run of 99 copies showcasing one of his defining skills. This could prove an astute long-term speculative investment.
Gunnar Henderson Prizm Red Sparkle /75 (#GH55) – As one of the top prospects in all of baseball heading into 2022, expectations were high for Orioles third baseman Gunnar Henderson’s full-season debut. He lived up to the hype by hitting .318 with 19 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A while still being just 21 years old. The red sparkle parallel from his Prizm rookie card release, limited serially to 75 copies, oozes with aesthetic beauty and showcases one of the top young talents in the sport today.
Jake McCarthy Prizm Green Prizms (#JM4) – Diamondbacks outfielder Jake McCarthy made his MLB debut in 2022 and impressed with a .284 batting average while providing excellent defense in center field. The icing on the cake was his walk-off home run against the Padres in his first career playoff game. At just 25 years old, McCarthy is only scratching the surface of his potential in Arizona. His prizm green parallel offers high value due to its relative scarcity compared to other McCarthy rookies on the market.
Emmanuel Clase Prizm Blue Cloud Auto /99 (#EC44) – One of the most dominant relievers in baseball this past season was Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase. The flamethrowing righty converted a career-high 42 saves and struck out 91 batters in 64 innings en route to being named to his first All-Star team. Still just 24, Clase has cemented himself as Cleveland’s long-term ninth inning man. His blue cloud autograph parallel from Prizm is a stunning variation limited to 99 copies that any avid Guardians or reliever collector would be thrilled to own.
Joey Bart Prizm Orange Prizms Auto (#JB2) – While injuries have slowed his progress, catcher Joey Bart remains a player of great intrigue as one of the Giants’ top prospects. 2022 saw him make his first extended MLB stint and hit his first major league home run. Though the future is uncertain, Bart’s raw talent and pedigree as the #2 overall pick in 2018 alone give his rookie cards strong speculative appeal. The orange prizms auto parallel stands out as perhaps his most visually pleasing signed card available at this early point in his career.
Jack Leiter Prizm Green Refractor Auto /99 (#JL19) – Rangers pitching prospect Jack Leiter has top-of-the-rotation upside as one of the hardest throwers in the minors with a power curveball to match. The former Vandy star and #2 overall pick in 2021 dazzled with a 2.06 ERA between High-A and Double-A in his first full pro season. The prizm green refractor auto, limited to 99 copies, captures all the excitement surrounding Leiter’s enormous potential as he continues moving up Texas’ system. This exclusive parallel would be a prized addition to any Rangers or pitching prospect PC.
Jeremy Peña Prizm Grey Refractor Auto /75 (#JP23) – Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña had a phenomenal rookie campaign that culminated in World Series MVP honors after filling in ably for the injured Carlos Correa. Between his .289 average and key playoff moments, Peña proved he’s Houston’s shortstop of the future. His prizm grey refractor autographed parallel, numbered to just 75 copies, commemorates an unforgettable debut season and highlights one of the premier rookies from the 2022 class. Peña’s star is just beginning to rise, making this an obvious blue-chip investment card.
Druw Jones Prizm Orange Refractor Auto /99 (#DJ2) – As the highest drafted high school player of the 2022 class (#2 overall by Arizona), outfielder Druw Jones excited scouts with advanced instincts, power/speed upside and impeccable bloodlines as the son of five-time all-star Andruw Jones. His prospect status alone gives all of Jones’ rookie cards from Panini Prizm high speculative worth. But the prizm orange refractor autograph stands out as an extremely rare parallel out of the set, offered in a tiny print run of 99 copies that magnifies its scarcity and prestige.
C.J. Abrams Prizm Orange Prizms Auto /75 (#CA13) – Originally drafted 6th overall by the Padres in 2019, shortstop C.J. Abrams has battled injuries but possesses elite skills when on the field, as evidenced by his .297 average after his midseason call-up in 2022. Still just 22 years old, Abrams looks poised for breakout once establishing
