The 2022 Topps Baseball card set was released in February and contains a variety of rookies, stars and parallels that have become highly sought after by collectors. With a massive checklist of over 700 cards, there are plenty of exciting options to hunt for in packs, boxes and on the secondary market. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest hits and most valuable cards collectors are chasing from the 2022 Topps Baseball release.
Perhaps the highest profile rookie card in the set is that of Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. The #1 prospect in baseball made his highly anticipated MLB debut in 2021 and did not disappoint, slashing .288/.347/.463 with 7 home runs in 70 games. Franco is considered a future superstar and his base rookie card has been one of the hottest items in the entire 2022 Topps set. PSA 10 gem mint copies have sold for well over $1000. Franco autograph and parallel cards have also commanded huge prices, with his Topps Chrome Refractor auto selling for over $10,000.
Another huge rookie to watch is Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Rodriguez had a breakout season in 2021, hitting .304 with 13 home runs between AA and AAA before getting called up to the big leagues. He showed off tantalizing five-tool talent in his MLB debut and will be a centerpiece for the Mariners moving forward. Like Franco, Rodriguez’s base rookie is in high demand. His Topps Chrome Refractor auto, parallel cards and 1/1 parallels could end up being the most valuable rookie cards from the entire 2022 release.
Veteran superstars also have some big chase cards in the 2022 Topps set. For example, Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani has become one of the most popular players in baseball. His base card can be found in most packs but rarer parallels like the Refractor, Rainbow Foil and 1/1 versions command top dollar. The same is true for New York Mets ace Max Scherzer, who joined the team last season and helped lead them to the playoffs. Scherzer’s autographed and parallel cards are highly sought after by collectors.
Rookies and stars aren’t the only cards that can hold value long term. Topps does an excellent job each year of including popular veterans, future Hall of Famers and unique parallels/inserts that attract collectors. For example, the base cards of legends like Albert Pujols, Clayton Kershaw and Yadier Molina will always be in demand from teams collectors. Rainbow foil and autograph cards of these future Cooperstown inductees can also gain value as their careers wind down.
Topps also includes various parallels and inserts each year that become highly collectible right out of the pack. For the 2022 release, some standouts include the Rainbow Foil parallels (1/1, /25, /50 etc), Topps Chrome cards, Negative Photographs insert set, Topps Fire inserts and Autograph parallels. The 1/1 versions of these specialty cards almost always gain value quickly due to their ultra-low print runs. Even parallels numbered to /99 or less are highly sought after.
When it comes to long term value, the biggest cards to watch will be any rare 1/1 parallels and autographs of the top rookies like Franco, Rodriguez and others who emerge as stars. There are plenty of ways to build a collection or investment from the 2022 Topps Baseball release. The variety of rookies, stars, parallels and inserts ensures this set will remain popular with collectors for years to come. With baseball card values at all-time highs, now is a great time to hunt 2022 Topps both in packs and on the resale market.
The 2022 Topps Baseball card set delivered another stellar year of content. Rookies like Franco and Rodriguez offer exciting long term potential. Meanwhile, stars new and old like Ohtani, Scherzer and future HOFers provide popular cards for team collectors. Topps also loaded the set with several highly collectible parallels and inserts. With its huge checklist and variety of hits, 2022 Topps Baseball will remain a set collectors chase and hold onto for many years to come. The right cards could prove to be very valuable investments if acquired and preserved in high grades.
