The 2022 baseball season saw a very talented group of rookies make their debuts and begin their MLB careers. Whenever new star players enter the league, it creates excitement for collectors seeking their rookie cards. Evaluating the top rookie cards from this year’s crop of newcomers takes into consideration on-field production so far as well as long term star potential. While things can certainly change as careers progress, here is a look at some of the most desirable rookie cards from the 2022 season based on the players’ early success and hype around their future.
One of the clear favorites is Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. The 21-year old wunderkind exploded onto the scene by hitting .284 with 28 home runs, 75 RBI and 25 stolen bases in his rookie campaign. He finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting and helped lead the Mariners back to the postseason for the first time in over 20 years. Rodriguez’s superb all-around abilities, electric playing style, and promising long term outlook have collectors clamoring for his cards. Some of his top rookie offerings include prizm refractors, autographs, and Topps Chrome parallels like purple, orange and green refractor versions. Prices for high-end Julio Rodriguez rookies have easily eclipsed the $500-1000 mark and could appreciate significantly if he continues developing into a perennial all-star.
Another star outfielder who had an incredible rookie year was Houston Astros slugger Jeremy Pena. Filling in for injured superstar Carlos Correa at shortstop, Pena hit .253 with 22 home runs and 63 RBI while playing Gold Glove defense en route to winning AL Rookie of the Year and ALCS MVP honors. The 25-year old showed poise beyond his years and looks poised to be a franchise cornerstone for Houston for many years. Similar to Rodriguez, Pena’s prizm refractors, Topps Chrome parallels and autographs rank among his most prized rookie cards. Many collectors expect his star to continue rising as he gains experience, making Pena cards a very prudent long term investment at current prices under $200 for top versions.
Seattle’s fellow AL West rivals the Los Angeles Angels surprisingly received phenomenal production from rookie shortstop/third baseman Jose Rojas. The 23-year old Dominican slugger bashed 26 home runs and drove in 88 runs while hitting .254. He immediately established himself as one of the better young power hitters in baseball. While questions remain about his defense and strikeout tendencies, Rojas looks to have 30+ home run potential if he stays healthy and makes adjustments. His Topps Chrome orange and green refractors along with Topps Holiday red parallel are fetching north of $150 each. If Rojas proves to be a long term force in the middle of the Angels lineup, collectors purchasing his cards now stand to benefit greatly.
Moving to the National League, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker made an enormous splash by hitting .280 with 10 home runs in just 47 games after getting called up in August. The towering right-handed batter displayed advanced patience and pop at only 21 years old, raising expectations that he will be an impact power threat for years to come in Cardinals outfield plans. Among Walker’s most collectible rookie cards are Topps Chrome pink and green refractors, Topps Holiday green parallels, and prizm silver refractors autographs. Though he has a limited MLB sample size so far, buzz is high on Walker breaking out as an all-star and carrying significant card value climbing above $200-300 range if he does.
One of the bigger surprises of 2022 came from Marlins shortstop Jazz Chisholm Jr. After dealing with injuries in his rookie season last year, Chisholm came back with a vengeance to hit .245 with 18 home runs, 57 RBI and 25 stolen bases. The 25-year old brought loose, exciting play to Miami and looks to be a foundational piece as they build around youth. His Topps Chrome rainbow foil, Topps Holiday red and black parallels along with on-card rookie autos hold value between $100-150 at present. If Chisholm stays healthy and refines his approach to become a consistent .260+ hitter with 25/25 potential, his cards may appreciate substantially from current mid-range prices.
Another member of the Marlins who made his debut in 2022 is touted pitching prospect Eury Perez. Though he posted mediocre numbers of a 5.01 ERA over 21 games begun, the 21-year old Dominican showed tantalizing raw stuff with a mid-90s fastball and biting slider. Perez has the ceiling of a potential frontline starter if he masters command and adds a third quality pitch. His prizm silver packs, Topps Chrome refractors in colors like orange, green and pink as well as Topps Holiday parallels command $50-100 today based on his lofty prospect pedigree and youth. Perez makes for an intriguing longshot gamble that could pay dividends down the line.
Rounding out the list is Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias, who had a nice September cameo hitting .333 over 18 games. The elite defender has the glove to profile at shortstop long term but must prove his bat, displaying some pop with 3 home runs in limited action. At just 23 years old, Arias compares to other late bloomer shortstop like Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts. His Topps Chrome colors like pink, purple and green as well as Topps Finest parallels come in around $75-125 range currently. If Arias’ bat comes to match his glove and he becomes Cleveland’s long term solution at a prime position, his cards would experience tremendous appreciation from those baseline prices.
The 2022 rookie class showcased an exciting wave of young talent at premium positions all around baseball. Julio Rodriguez, Jeremy Pena and Jordan Walker clearly have established themselves among the cream of the crop so far based on early production and all-star upside. Meanwhile, players like Jose Rojas, Jazz Chisholm, Eury Perez and Gabriel Arias offer intriguing speculation on breakout potential if they take their games to a new level. Collectors would be wise to pursue the prized rookies of such a gifted rookie class, as their cards stand to yield great long term returns with patience if the players fulfill their skills on the diamond. The 2022 rookie crop may end up producing multiple MVP caliber superstars, making this a vintage class for the MLB history books.
