The 2022 Diamond Kings baseball card collection featured some of the most coveted rookie cards and star players in the MLB. With an increased interest in collecting during the pandemic and the rise of new stars like Shohei Ohtani, the market saw heightened demand and valuations for select cards from this set. Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest money cards that came out of the 2022 Topps Diamond Kings release.
Shohei Ohtani – One of the major storylines of 2022 was Shohei Ohtani building off his historically great 2021 season and cementing himself as a true dual-threat as a pitcher and hitter. Not surprisingly, his rookie card /99 from Diamond Kings sold for over $1,000 slabs and drew immense attention from collectors. The combination of his unique two-way playing ability and potential to win MVP awards for years makes any Ohtani rookie exceptionally valuable long term. Graded examples in PSA 10 have recently traded hands for over $3,000, showing the Japanese superstar has one of the strongest fanbases and potentially highest ceilings of any active player.
Juan Soto – Still just 23 years old at the time, Juan Soto had already established himself as one of the game’s most feared hitters after making a huge impact on the Nationals’ 2019 World Series run. His /99 rookie from Diamond Kings routinely sold for $400-600 Raw and $800-1200 PSA 10 during the baseball season. With a sweet left-handed swing and prodigious power at a young age, Soto looks positioned to shatter records and win multiple batting titles if he can stay healthy. Any of his coveted rookie cards hold incredible potential to appreciate over the long run.
Ronald Acuna Jr. – One of the most thrilling young players to watch with jaw-dropping speed and defense in the Braves outfield, Acuna missed most of 2021 with an ACL injury but was looking to return to MVP form. His flagship Diamond Kings rookie /99 sold for $300-450 raw and $700-1000 graded last year. At just 24 years old when the set released, Acuna has his best years presumably still ahead of him playing for a perennial contender. If he can stay on the field, his cards may prove to be another long-term blue chip hold.
Wander Franco – As one of the highest-touted prospects in years, Wander Franco lived up to the hype by making his big league debut in 2021 at just 20 years old and immediately put his name amongst the game’s brightest young talents. His prizm rookie cards exploded in demand and value as a result. In Diamond Kings, his coveted /99 RC moved for $150-250 raw but owners of PSA 10 examples could find buyers in the $400-600 range leading up to playoffs. With his combination of 5-tool skills and youth, Franco seems poised for superstardom and his cards to keep appreciating.
Jack Leiter – On the pitching side, Jack Leiter potentially had one of the most valuable rookie cards after being taken #2 overall in the 2021 draft by the Rangers. Still seeking his first MLB appearance at the time, the Vanderbilt product’s /99 showed legitimate pull for $100-150 raw as collectors obsessed over his triple-digit fastball and wipeout slider combo. Getting his first full pro season under his belt in 2022 did nothing but increase the hype around Leiter, whose cards moved to the $250+ range PSA 10 post-season as buyers gambled on his huge upside.
Bobby Witt Jr. – As the coveted #2 pick from the 2019 draft, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had one of the most anticipated debuts of 2022 for Kansas City. Still just 21 that season, his /99 Diamond Kings RC found a raw market of $75-125 but PSA 10 holders were achieving $250-350 with his hot MLB start. Witt showed five-tools talent and looked every bit like a future perennial All-Star, making his flagship rookie one of the top long shots to explode in value with a breakout career.
Julio Rodriguez – While not a true rookie after debuting in 2021, Julio Rodriguez had a massive coming out party for Seattle in 2022 that placed him on the map as a budding superstar. His explosive blend of power, speed, and defense excited collectors before he ever played a full season. In Diamond Kings, his coveted /99 sold for $125-200 raw but PSA 10 examples saw serious bids north of $400 online as buyers realized his star potential. Rodriguez looks ready to be a fixture in the lineup for years and centerpiece for Mariners, making his cards stellar foundation pieces.
Euginio Suarez – On the veteran side, third baseman Eugenio Suarez had emerged as a solid power threat for Cincinnati but was dealt to Seattle before 2022. Slotted behind Rodriguez, his popularity grew being part of that young core. Suarez’s /99 held $50-85 raw value but gained notoriety in the hobby. PSA 10s traded in the $150-225 range showing collectors still appreciate proven sluggers in top grade. Suarez looked reinvigorated with his new club and likely locked in another year or two of strong performance.
Byron Buxton – In what became a breakout, injury-free season for the Twins, Byron Buxton played like an MVP with his game-changing speed and defense complementing newfound power. His potential had always excited fans and the hobby. In Diamond Kings, despite being a couple years removed from his true rookie season, Buxton’s coveted /99 found strong $125-200+ demand raw as his elite tools translated to production. Seeing PSA 10s achieve $350-450 bids, it’s clear collectors recognized 2022 as Buxton’s arrival amongst the league’s true elite when healthy.
The 2022 Topps Diamond Kings release featured several first-year stars, rising prospects, and veterans who shined bright during that memorable season. With the combination of performance, hype and scarcity inherent to the parallel /99 insert, many desirable rookie and star player cards from this set established themselves as long-term keepsakes and potential blue-chip investments. For those who recognized the upside and locked in PSA 10 gems of Shohei Ohtani, Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez or others, their Diamond Kings rookies could end up being some of the most lucrative baseball cards from 2022.
