The baseball card collecting hobby continues to thrive in 2022, with new products releasing each year from the major card manufacturers like Topps, Panini, Leaf, and more. With so many new cards on the market, it can be tough to decide which ones are worth purchasing. In this in-depth guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best new baseball cards collectors should consider adding to their collections this year.
Perhaps the most anticipated new baseball card release each year is the flagship Topps Series 1 set. The 2022 Topps Series 1 cards hit shelves in March, featuring designs and photography that pay homage to some of the classic Topps designs from the 1980s and 90s. Some key rookie cards to look for in this year’s Series 1 include Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez, and Spencer Torkelson. In addition to the base set, Topps Series 1 also includes various parallels, short prints, autographs, and memorabilia cards that can hold significant value. Due to the huge popularity and distribution of Series 1 each year, these cards remain fairly affordable while still having strong long-term potential.
Another Topps product that’s a must-have each year is the Allen & Ginter set. Unlike traditional baseball card designs, A&G features unique artwork designs on each card that often depict non-sports related imagery. This year’s Allen & Ginter cards were released in June and feature a retro wood-grain border design along with various insert sets. Key rookie cards to find include Oneil Cruz, Emerson Hancock, and Matt McLain. But some of the biggest hits in A&G are the rare autograph and memorabilia cards, which this year included patches and autographs of Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and others. Allen & Ginter cards have developed quite a cult following in recent years for their creative and fun designs.
Panini’s 2022 Donruss Baseball release is another new set worth checking out. The Donruss design has a very retro and throwback style that is popular with vintage collectors. This year’s Donruss cards, which were released in May, feature a clean white border design along with various parallels and inserts. Key rookies to look for include Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Torkelson, and C.J. Abrams. In addition, Panini packs some big hits like autographs and memorabilia cards of stars like Shohei Ohtani and Fernando Tatis Jr. While Panini products are more limited in distribution compared to Topps, Donruss cards have proven to hold strong value long-term.
Another new Panini release that’s worth a look is 2022 Prizm Baseball. Like the Prizm basketball and football releases, the baseball version features a colorful refracting design on the front of each card that pops under light. This year’s Prizm Baseball cards were released in July and feature base rookies of Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez, and others. But the real chase cards are the 1-of-1 Prizm parallels that can feature coveted autos, patches, and memorabilia of stars. Panini Prizm cards have developed quite a following in recent years for their flashy designs and limited print runs.
Leaf’s 2022 Valiant Baseball set is another new and unique release worth checking out. Unlike typical card designs, each Valiant card features a full-bleed photo across the front with players captured in action shots. This year’s Valiant release hit shelves in August and featured base rookie cards of Marcelo Mayer, Jack Leiter, and others. But the real chase cards in Valiant are the rare 1/1 autos and patches that feature some of the biggest names in the game. While Leaf products tend to be more limited in distribution compared to Topps and Panini, Valiant cards have proven to be popular with collectors.
For vintage baseball card collectors, the 2022 Topps Heritage set is a must. The Heritage design pays tribute to the classic look of 1950s and 60s Topps cards right down to the yellow borders and team logo designs. This year’s Heritage release came out in April and featured retro-style rookie cards of players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Adley Rutschman. In addition, Heritage packs include various parallels, inserts, and autograph/memorabilia chase cards of stars. While not as affordable as the flagship Topps Series 1 release, Heritage cards have proven to increase significantly in value long-term due to their vintage aesthetic and limited print runs each year.
In addition to the flagship releases, there are also various high-end hobby boxes worth targeting for big hits. Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome feature prospects and stars on refracting chrome cardboard and pack huge autos and relics. Topps Transcendent offers one-of-one cards signed and numbered to single digits. And Topps Finest provides premium refractors and parallels of stars. For collectors looking to land six or seven-figure cards, high-end products are where the true mega-hits reside.
While most of the attention is given to new release cards, savvy collectors should also consider buying up key rookie cards from past seasons before players break out. For example, cards of Juan Soto from 2018 Topps Series 1 or Wander Franco from 2020 Bowman Chrome purchased a year or two ago for just a few dollars could now fetch thousands. Studying prospects and buying early helps collectors get cards of future stars at affordable prices.
By focusing on flagship releases from Topps and Panini along with key rookies, parallels, and inserts, collectors can build a strong foundation for their collections with some of the best new baseball cards on the market each year. While it requires some research to stay on top of the ever-changing hobby, targeting the products mentioned here is a great starting point for any collector looking to add quality cardboard that holds long-term potential. The thrill of the hunt is part of what makes pursuing the hottest new baseball cards so enjoyable.
