The 2022 season marked a turning point for the San Diego Padres franchise. Led by superstars like Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Yu Darvish, the Padres emerged as contenders in the powerful National League West division. Their impressive and exciting roster drove huge demand for Padres cards from the 2022 season.
Topps, the leading sports card manufacturer, captured the Padres’ excitement and promise with its 2022 flagship baseball card release. Tatis Jr., still just 23 years old, graced the cover of Topps Series 1 in his crisp white home uniform. With his infectious smile and elite skills, Tatis had already established himself as one of baseball’s biggest stars – and his rookie cards from 2019 through 2021 were highly coveted. Tatis’ card value increased even more following his breakout 2021 season that saw him hit 42 home runs. Tatis’ cards in 2022 sets reflected his status as a true superstar and face of the Padres franchise.
Machado, still in his prime at 29, also saw strong demand for his 2022 Topps cards after another All-Star caliber season in 2021. His smooth left-handed swing and Gold Glove defense at third base made him a cornerstone of the Padres. Yu Darvish, at 35, remained a workhorse at the front of the Padres rotation in 2022. As one of baseball’s top pitchers, Darvish’s cards – including rare parallels and autographs – sold well on the secondary market.
Rookies like C.J. Abrams also generated buzz among Padres collectors. The speedy shortstop was one of baseball’s top prospects and made his MLB debut in 2022 after Tatis’ season-ending injury. Abrams’ rookie cards, including autographs and refractors, held strong value among investors hoping he’d develop into a core piece of the Padres for years to come.
Outside of the individual star players, collectors sought out 2022 Padres team sets at higher rates than years past. The Topps Museum Collection team cards featured beautiful artistic renditions of Machado, Tatis, Darvish, and others in posing in their brown and yellow uniforms. These rare parallel cards numbered to just 10 copies each saw intense bidding wars online.
The Padres’ deep playoff run only amplified collector interest in 2022 cards. After finishing with an exceptional 89-73 record, the Padres hosted a National League Wild Card series and travelled to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers in the NL Division Series. This marked their deepest postseason run since 1998. The debut of City Connect jerseys featuring vivid shades of lime green and also piqued collectors’ interest in finding rare parallels of these uniquely styled uniforms.
Bowman Chrome prospects like Robert Hassell III also gained traction as could-be-stars of the future. As the Padres aimed to bring their first World Series title to San Diego, collectors jumped at the chance to obtain rookie cards of players who may help fulfill that goal in years ahead. Upper Deck’s Finest set, with its intricate autograph and memorabilia cards, also gave collectors high-end options for modern Padres stars.
In summation, the 2022 season sparked a renewed collector fervor for Padres cards as the franchise turned a corner. Led by homegrown talents like Tatis, Machado, and emerging prospects, the Padres established themselves among MLB’s elite with an exciting brand of baseball. This momentum carried directly to the sports card hobby, with Padres cards in high demand across all levels from rookies to stars. As the team looks to repeat their success in 2023 and beyond, the collecting landscape around this revitalized franchise will surely continue to grow.
