The 2022 Topps Baseball Series 1 release marked the start of another exciting baseball season. As with every year, Series 1 featured rookies, stars, and special parallels that collectors chased after. With over 700 cards in the base set alone, there were plenty of hits to be found in wax boxes, blasters, and hobby packs. Several cards in particular captured the attention of the hobby. Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest names and most valuable cards from 2022 Topps Baseball Series 1.
Perhaps the most sought-after rookie card in the set was that of Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball, Rodriguez’s prospect card carried tremendous hype entering the season. For good reason too, as J-Rod went on to have a phenomenal rookie campaign that landed him in the AL Rookie of the Year conversation. His base rookie card quickly became a hot commodity, but collectors were also on the hunt for scarce color parallels like the Gold /2021 parallel limited to only 10 copies. Rodriguez lived up to the hype on the field and his cards performed well, a perfect storm for a top rookie.
Another rookie who made an immediate impact was Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena. Filling in for the injured Carlos Correa, Pena helped lead the Astros to another AL pennant while winning ALCS and World Series MVP honors. The timing could not have been better for Pena collectors, as his Series 1 rookie became a badge of honor for any Astros PC. Like Rodriguez, the Gold parallel of Pena’s card numbered to just 10 copies rocketed in value. But even the base was highly sought after by October. Pena’s stellar rookie season translated directly to card prices across the board.
Veteran superstars also held significant value in Series 1. Two perennial MVP candidates and future Hall of Famers, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, were as desirable as ever. The dynamic duo of the Angels always command attention in the hobby. Trout’s base remained a steady, sought-after card as one of the faces of the league for over a decade now. Meanwhile, collectors were on high alert for limited parallels of Ohtani, the two-way sensation who has redefined what is possible on a baseball field. His Gold /2021 parallel captured the imagination with its ultra-low population. Both Trout and Ohtani established themselves as cornerstones for any collection with their Series 1 offerings.
Another veteran who stood out was Mets pitcher Max Scherzer. Already bound for Cooperstown before he even put on the Mets uniform, “Mad Max” took his game to new heights after being acquired from the Dodgers at the trade deadline. Scherzer helped push the Mets to the NL East title while establishing himself as a fan favorite in Queens. His dominant postseason performances only added to the intrigue around his Series 1 card. The Gold parallel became a must-own for any Mets PC or Scherzer collector. Even the base remained a strong, recognizable card throughout the year.
Rookies and stars were not the only storylines, however. Veterans chasing milestones also gained attention. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols had a chance to reach 700 career home runs during the season. While he fell just short, the intrigue around his chase was palpable. His Series 1 card became a popular target for collectors anticipating he would join the 700 club. Pujols came close and remained a fan favorite as his career wound down, keeping interest high in his early 2022 cards.
Parallels and short prints were also a major factor in the hobby. The aforementioned Gold parallels numbered to just 10 copies each became holy grails for high-end collectors. But collectors were also on the hunt for other parallels like the Rainbow Foil variants that added dazzling color pops. Rarer still were the various SP (short print) variations of star players. For example, the SP variation of Ohtani was a major priority given its limited print run. Parallels and short prints took the hype around big names to the next level.
As the season progressed, certain storylines took on added significance retrospectively. For example, in hindsight the debut Series 1 cards of World Series hero Jeremy Peña and rookie sensation Julio Rodriguez gained extra cachet. The same could be said for Max Scherzer following his dominant postseason for the NL champs. Performance on the field directly fueled additional card value. Veterans like Trout and Ohtani remained steady as always. But breakout stars and playoff heroes especially saw their early 2022 cardboard rewarded.
In summary, 2022 Topps Series 1 offered a perfect storm of storylines that excited collectors. Rookies like Rodriguez and Peña debuted with fanfare before living up to it on the field. Veterans Trout, Ohtani and Scherzer continued to produce while Pujols tantalized with milestones. And parallels added scarcity and splendor to the biggest names. Series 1 is often remembered as the launching pad for the season – and for stars like J-Rod, Peña and others in 2022, it marked the beginning of their ascent. With rookies delivering, veterans performing, and short prints providing rarity, 2022 Topps Baseball Series 1 had all the ingredients to become one of the set’s most beloved in recent memory.
