Topps baseball cards remain one of the most popular and lucrative collectibles in the sports card industry. Each new year’s release from Topps offers fans and investors an opportunity to potentially find valuable rookie cards, autographs, and memorabilia cards featuring their favorite players.
The 2022 Topps flagship baseball card set saw another increase in production numbers from previous years, with over 1.2 billion base cards printed. That did little to diminish interest from the collecting community, as fans eagerly tore packs in search of stars like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Shohei Ohtani. With the regular season well underway, here’s a look at some of the top rookie and star cards from the 2022 Topps set that are gaining value fast.
Juan Soto Base Card – Soto remains one of the faces of Major League Baseball at just 23 years old, and his track record of success makes his rookie cards elite holdings. The standard Soto base card from 2022 Topps ranks among the set’s most sought-after, with PSA 10 Gem Mint copies routinely selling in the $75-100 range on the secondary market. That price is likely to steadily climb as Soto’s career progresses.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Base Card – Like Soto, Acuña established himself as a true superstar before suffering a season-ending injury in 2021. When fully healthy, he’s one of the game’s most dynamic players. His 2022 Topps base has found a market of $40-60 for top-graded versions, though there’s reason to believe that value has long-term potential to at least double from its current state.
Shohei Ohtani Base Card – As the current American League MVP and one of baseball’s biggest crossover stars, Ohtani is a collector favorite. His striking 2022 Topps main set photo and elite on-field performance make this a must-own for Angels fans and players alike. Expect a floor of $30-40 long-term for pristine Ohtani base cards from this year’s Topps release.
Riley Greene / Julio Rodríguez Rookie Cards – The Detroit Tigers’ Greene and Seattle Mariners’ Rodríguez look primed to become the next generation of young stars after impressive MLB debuts in 2022. Both featured autograph and memorabilia rookie cards in Topps products that will stand the test of time. Even base rookies could net $25-50 a piece for years to come.
Spencer Strider Autograph – Atlanta Braves breakout starter Strider made a huge splash in 2022 after being relatively unknown entering the season. The top Braves prospect signed a fair number of Topps Chrome autographs, many serial-numbered to just /199 copies. Those rare memorabilia cards now trade hands for $300-400 based on Strider’s early success.
Emmanuel Clase Autograph / Patch Combo – Cleveland closer Clase arguably had the best season of any reliever in baseball in 2022. Low-numbered autograph and memorabilia patches from Topps’ ‘Gold Label’ parallel short prints number among the set’s true hits. Values range between $200-500 long-term based on Clase’s elite abilities and rare serial-numbered parallels.
Other Notable Young Stars – Cardinals’ Dylan Carlson, Mariners’ Logan Gilbert, Guardians’ Steven Kwan, and Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman are some other promising young players who saw sizable jumps in the values of their Topps rookies and parallels throughout 2022. Parallel and serial-numbered cards in particular hold six-figure potential with sustained success.
Veteran Star Cards – Mike Trout, Max Scherzer, Aaron Judge and others remain elite cardboard that holds value exceptionally well long-term. Superfractor parallels of legends in their primes could reach $10,000+ depending on the player and parallel. Even base cards from stars in their age-30+ seasons command $50-200 averages.
Fan-Favorite Veterans – Players like Albert Pujols chasing milestones see cards spike in demand. Pujols’ Topps Update cards reached over $100 per copy during his pursuit of 700 home runs. Similar mid-career and post-career stars evoke nostalgia that fuels collecting interest in their later years.
As always, the true benchmark for any vintage card investment comes down to the longevity and impact of the players depicted early in their careers. With stars like Soto, Acuña and Ohtani leading the way, the 2022 Topps baseball release seems primed to produce cards that stand the test of time. Patience and selective purchases of quality-graded copies remain the wisest approach for collectors seeking long-term returns.
While the 2022 Topps baseball release featured over 1 billion base cards printed, interest and early returns on elite rookies, stars and parallels show the set retains strong collectibility and value potential for savvy investors. Rookies of up-and-coming young talents and memorabilia cards of breakout veterans especially hold six-figure potential with sustained success down the road. The 2022 Topps flags
