The 2022 baseball season is well underway and that means it’s prime time for collectors to seek out the hottest new baseball cards on the market. With rookie sensations like Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt Jr making their MLB debuts this year, along with star veterans continuing to shine, there are plenty of exciting cards to chase. Here are some of the top 2022 baseball cards collectors should keep an eye out for:
Julio Rodriguez Rookie Cards: The Mariners rookie sensation has taken the league by storm in 2022 with his elite power and speed. Rodriguez’s rookie cards are some of the most sought after on the market right now. Some of the best include his Topps Chrome Sapphire Refractor rookie, Topps Chrome Refractor rookie, and Topps Finest Refractor rookie. These cards feature the dynamic rookie in his Mariners uniform and could gain significant value as his career progresses if he continues on his current trajectory.
Bobby Witt Jr. Rookie Cards: Like Rodriguez, Witt has made an immediate impact in the majors in his first season with the Royals. The top overall pick from the 2019 draft looks like a future star. Witt’s rookie cards to target include his Topps Chrome Sapphire Refractor, Topps Chrome Refractor, and Topps Finest Refractor. These showcase the young shortstop and could be solid long term holds.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Refractors: Acuna was well on his way to superstardom before suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2021. Now fully healthy in 2022, he’s back to dominating. His refractor parallels from flagship products like Topps, Topps Chrome, and Topps Finest are always hot items for collectors. These parallel color variations of one of the game’s brightest young talents could pay off.
Sandy Alcantara Rainbow Foil: Alcantara has emerged as the ace of the Marlins staff and is in the Cy Young conversation in the National League. His 2022 Topps Series 2 Rainbow Foil Parallel is one of the coolest looking cards out this year, with its vivid colors and design. It highlights the breakout season Alcantara is having.
Two-Sport Stars: Baseball cards of athletes who also play in the NFL are always in high demand. Cards to watch include Mickey Mantle & NFL parallels, Bo Jackson cards in football and baseball uniforms, and Deion Sanders dual sport inserts. As two-sport legends, their cards tend to hold value.
Mike Trout: You can never go wrong collecting the cards of the best player of this generation. Trout’s base Topps cards, as well as parallels and inserts, are always solid long term investments. Even in down seasons for his team, Trout continues to produce at an elite level and remains one of the faces of MLB.
Rookie Autographs and Memorabilia Cards: For collectors wanting the highest end rookie cards, hunt for autographed or memorabilia cards of the top prospects. Examples include Bobby Witt Jr. Topps Autograph, Julio Rodriguez Bowman Chrome Autograph, and Adley Rutschman Topps Autograph. These provide the ultimate rookie card with an on-card signature and could yield big returns if the player pans out.
Vintage Stars: Cards of legends from the past always hold collector interest and value. Examples worth seeking include a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps, Willie Mays rookie card, Hank Aaron rookie, and a Babe Ruth card from the 1910s-1920s. These vintage greats are true pieces of baseball history.
Parallel Color Variations: Parallel cards in different colors have become hugely popular in the hobby. Some top parallels to target include Rainbow Foil, Refractors, Sapphire, Black Border, and Gold Border parallels of stars or top rookies. These add an extra layer of visual appeal compared to the base cards.
Numbered Parallels: For the highest end parallel cards, search out those with ultra-low print runs. Examples are Topps Chrome Sapphire parallels numbered to /25 or less, Topps Finest Gold parallels numbered to /5, and Topps Inception 1/1s. These extremely rare and coveted parallel cards can gain serious collector value over time.
Base Set Chasing: For set builders, completing the flagship Topps Series 1 and 2 base sets is a time honored tradition. These provide affordable cards of every team and player while also containing the top rookies. Putting together a complete set is very satisfying for collectors.
Insert Sets: Beyond the base cards, insert sets within flagship products are also popular chase cards. These include Topps Chrome ‘Gold Cup’ cards featuring current stars, Topps ‘Stars of the Topps’ vintage insert sets, and Topps ‘Photo Shoot’ parallel insert sets. They add variety to team sets.
Autographed Baseball Cards: While not cheap, autographed cards provide the ultimate fan connection to their favorite players. Top prospects like Witt and Rodriguez will see their autographed cards rise in value the most. But vets like Trout, Ohtani, and Soto are always in demand for collectors too.
That covers some of the most exciting 2022 baseball cards to keep an eye out for whether you’re a long time collector or just starting your collection. With so much young talent emerging and veterans continuing to produce, this shaping up to be another great year for the hobby. Focus on cards from the players and parallels mentioned to build a solid foundation for any collection.
