The 2022 Topps baseball card release marks another highly anticipated year from the industry leader in sports card production. With a never-ending appetite from collectors both young and old, Topps continues to deliver memorable rookie cards, parallels, autographs and more across Series 1, 2, and Update. Here are some of the top cards to chase from the 2022 Topps baseball release:
Rookie Cards – As always, the rookie class is one of the biggest draws each year. 2022 saw the debuts of stars like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., Adley Rutschman and more. The standard base rookie cards for each of these young talents are always in high demand. Parallel and autographed versions command premium prices. Rodriguez in particular has taken the baseball world by storm in Seattle and his cardboard is some of the hottest on the market right now.
Parallels – Topps packs a variety of parallel cards across their three series to satisfy collectors looking for something outside the standard base issue. The most coveted are usually the lowest printed versions like Gold (/50), Rainbow Foil (/25), and Platinum (/1). Autographed parallels take the chase to an entirely new level. Series 1 saw a huge buzz around a Gold parallel auto of Rodriguez that sold for over $10,000. Topps Chrome and Stadium Club also feature sought after refractors and parallels of the game’s brightest stars.
Short Prints – Topps continues to include coveted short printed cards in low numbers throughout their releases. In Series 1, look out for short prints of stars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr. and Wander Franco. Finding these elusive SPs in packs or on the secondary market is always a thrill.
Insert Sets – Topps packs their releases with a variety of hit-or-miss themed insert sets beyond the base cards. This year saw popular sets paying tribute to milestones, All-Star seasons and more. The highest end inserts feature 1/1 printing plates or memorabilia cards that can fetch huge sums. The ‘Topps Now’ program also allows the company to rapidly produce cards for big moments not seen in the main series.
Autograph Cards – Of course, any card signed by a star player instantly becomes a major chase. Topps guarantees one autograph per hobby jumbo box as well as autographed parallels. RCs signed by the games’ next generation of talent are especially valuable, like Witt Jr. and Rodriguez. Veterans continue to hold cache as well, as evidenced by a recent Mike Trout superfractor auto that sold for over $400,000. ‘Topps Chrome Authentic’ takes the autograph game to new heights by capturing swatches of game-worn memorabilia alongside signatures.
Veteran Stars – While the rookies and prospects drive excitement, the proven superstars remain the safest long-term investments. Trout, Tatis Jr., Acuña Jr., and Shohei Ohtani continue setting new standards of excellence that translates to strong cardboard demand. Parallel and serial numbered cards of these MVP talents can hold value for decades.
Designs – Topps commits to fresh, eye-catching card designs each year. The 2022 offerings feature colorful uniforms and unique action shots across the three series. The ‘Stadium Club’ and ‘Chrome’ brands up the photo quality and appeal to high-end collectors. Foil and refractors add to the premium feel. While personal tastes vary, Topps consistently delivers aesthetically pleasing cards.
Supply and Demand – At the end of the day, the scarcity and popularity of any given player or parallel will dictate card values. Topps releases massive quantities but savvy collectors know certain short printed cards or star players will hold long term appeal. Rookies who emerge as superstars see their cards appreciate the most. On the flip side, busts can sink values quickly. It’s part of the inherent speculation that fuels the entire sports card industry.
The 2022 Topps baseball release once again offers a fun and rewarding chase across a wide variety of products at various price points. Rookie sensations, parallels, short prints, autographs and more provide countless opportunities to build a collection or investment portfolio. While it’s impossible to predict the next big card, Topps sets the standard that other companies strive to match each and every year.
