Baseball cards have been a hallmark of America’s favorite pastime for over a century and continue to be an exciting collectible for both kids and adults. The 2022 season brings a whole new crop of rookie stars and veteran players for collectors to chase after. Whether you’re just starting your collection or looking to expand it, 2022 baseball cards provide many exciting options.
Some of the top licensed brands releasing baseball cards in 2022 include Topps, Panini, Leaf, Bowman, Donruss and more. Each brand offers various product lines at different price points. Topps Series 1 is typically one of the biggest releases as it features current MLB players and the first rookie class from the previous draft. In 2022, Series 1 cards are available as part of wax packs, blasters, hobby boxes and jumbo boxes. The retail blasters contain 24-30 cards including trading cards, sticker cards, and extended rosters. Hobby boxes of Series 1 include 36 packs with several hits guaranteed per box on average. Jumbo boxes include even more packs and guaranteed hits.
Bowman is one of the top brands for collector focused on MLB prospects and future stars. The 2022 Bowman Draft release highlights players from the 2021 MLB draft class with their first pro cards. Hobby boxes of Draft include 12 packs with autographs or memorabilia cards guaranteed in each box. Bowman Chrome and Bowman Platinum also feature top prospects. Chrome boxes contain 12 packs with various parallels and refractors alongside autograph and memorabilia cards. Platinum boxes include dazzling die-cut and refractors with each box featuring 1 autographed card.
Panini offers a wide range of baseball card options beyond the big licensed brands. The 2022 Prizm Baseball release focuses on current MLB players but with flashy “prismatic” parallels alongside standard base cards. Hobby boxes of Prizm include 12 packs with autographs or memorabilia hits guaranteed in each. Donruss also debuts their new baseball offering in 2022 after recently regaining an MLB license. Hobby boxes of 2022 Donruss Baseball contain 24 packs alongside guaranteed parallels, patches or autographs per box.
Within each brand’s different baseball card products, collectors can find various types of inserts, parallels and memorabilia/autograph cards to chase. Base cards make up the bulk of each pack or box but inserts offer visual interest. Topps Allen & Ginter features embossed or relic cards mixed in packs. Parallels vary card designs by using different colors, materials, refractors and more. Memorabilia cards contain game used materials while autographed cards include signed pieces by current or vintage players. Relic and autograph hits within hobby boxes offer the most excitement and value possibilities for dedicated collectors.
Whether chasing rookies, vet stars or specific teams, 2022 baseball cards provide numerous options depending on individual collecting interests and budgets. The rookie class debuting this season features potential faces of the game like Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker or Mariners pitcher Emerson Hancock. Other top prospects making their pro cards include Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson and Brooks Lee. Meanwhile, veterans like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout remain highly sought after. With blasters and packs providing affordable randomness or dedicated hobby boxes, there are many avenues to expand collections this season. So grab some 2022 baseball cards and fuel your love of America’s pastime throughout the year. Best of luck pulling those big hits!
