The 2022 Topps Chrome Baseball card set was released to much fanfare in late 2022, featuring shiny refractors and parallels of the game’s biggest stars. While most packs of Topps Chrome contain cards worth just a few dollars, some rare serial numbered parallels and rookie cards have already skyrocketed in value since the product hit shelves. Let’s take a look at some of the standout rookie and star player cards that are commanding the highest prices within the collector market for 2022 Topps Chrome.
One of the most coveted rookie cards available in 2022 Topps Chrome is that of Tampa Bay Rays superstar shortstop Wander Franco. Franco had a breakout rookie campaign in 2021 that saw him named American League Rookie of the Year. His refractors and parallels from 2022 Topps Chrome are some of the set’s most valuable. Franco’s base refractor ranks among the top cards, steadily holding a price tag around $100-150 as one of the premier rookie cards in the current market. It’s some of his scarce serial numbered parallels that truly shine. Franco’s /5 green refractor parallel regularly sells for $1,000 or more, with examples of extremely low numbered parallels like /1 or /3 selling for well over $10,000 given how rare they are.
Another key rookie to watch is Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. After a monster debut season that had him finish second in AL Rookie of the Year voting, Rodriguez’s 2022 Topps Chrome cards are some of the hottest rookie cards on the resale market. His base refractors routinely sell for $75-100, but it’s once again the scarce serial numbered parallels that hold real value. Rodriguez’s /5 red refractor parallel often commands over $1,000, with extremely low numbers like /1 or /3 easily fetching north of $5,000. As Rodriguez continues to develop into a potential superstar, these early cards stand to increase even further in value over time.
Staying in Seattle, pitcher George Kirby is another rising Mariners rookie who debuted in 2022 and had collectors chasing his Topps Chrome cards. While not quite as widespread as Franco or Rodriguez, Kirby’s rookie refractors and parallels still carry a notable premium. His base refractor sells in the $25-50 range on the high end. Meanwhile, his scarce colored parallels like the /5 orange refractor often sell above $500, showing strong long term potential as Kirby establishes himself in Seattle’s rotation.
Veteran superstars also see their star power translate to high prices for their 2022 Topps Chrome refractors. For example, Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani consistently produces some of the set’s most expensive base cards. His standard refractor routinely fetches $75-100 due to his status as one of baseball’s premier talents. Additionally, Ohtani’s serial numbered parallels carry tremendous value – his /5 red refractor for example often sells above $1,000. New York Yankees star Aaron Judge, coming off an American League Triple Crown and 62 home run season, also has some of 2022 Topps Chrome’s costliest standard issue refractors in the $50-75 range.
Some other high profile veteran stars that command strong prices for their 2022 Topps Chrome refractors include Ronald Acuna Jr, Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, Juan Soto, and Fernando Tatis Jr. For example, Acuna’s base refractor has stayed above $50 fairly steadily, while a low numbered parallel could fetch $500-1000+. The combination of star power, on-field production, and scarcity factors into which players across 2022 Topps Chrome consistently sell for the most in the current resale market.
As for highly coveted parallel cards outside of the main rookies and stars, one that regularly fetches over $1000 is a /5 gold refractor of two-way phenomenon Shohei Ohtani in his batting stance. The extreme rarity and subject of one of baseball’s modern wonders makes this parallel extremely collectible. Another parallel that often sells for $500-1000+ is a /5 green refractor of Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, capitalizing on his record setting AL home run crown. Low serial numbered “hit” cards featuring players autographs or memorabilia can also gain substantial premiums – examples include a /10 dual relic auto of Mike Trout that sold for over $3,000.
While 2022 Topps Chrome is still a relatively new release, the resale prices shown by some keys cards even just a few months after hitting the market provides insights into perceived long term value for astute collectors. Rookies like Wander Franco and Julio Rodriguez leading the way with highly limited parallels bringing thousands, while proven stars like Ohtani and Judge hold strong standard issue prices. Ultimately, on-field performance, parallels numbers, and the whims of the player collector market will determine which 2022 Topps Chrome cards rise to the very top of the tier over the long run. But even now, some pieces have clearly emerged as the set’s most expensive and sought after commodities.
