The 2022 Panini Select baseball card release has provided collectors another exciting opportunity to add sought-after rookie cards and chase inserts to their collections. As with any modern baseball card release, a few select rookie cards and parallels have emerged as the most coveted and valuable in the set. While it’s still early and the hobby is very fluid, here’s a look at some of the top 2022 Panini Select baseball cards based on current demand and recent sales data:
Bobby Witt Jr. Gold Refractor (#39) – The Kansas City Royals star prospect had a phenomenal debut season that has only increased interest in his rookie cards. The Gold Refractor parallel from Select, limited to only 10 copies, has quickly become one of the most expensive cards of the year at over $10,000 PSA Gem Mint. Even raw ungraded versions have sold for thousands. Witt’s dominance on the field and unlimited potential have collectors clamoring for any luxury parallel they can find.
Julio Rodriguez Gold Refractor (#166) – Like Witt, Mariners rookie sensation Julio Rodriguez burst onto the scene in 2022 with electric play that landed him in the AL Rookie of the Year discussion. His Select Gold Refractor parallel shares the same ultra-low print run of 10 copies and carries a commensurate premium. Multiple have traded hands for $8,000 or more in PSA 10 condition. Collectors are making big bets that Rodriguez’s star will only continue to rise.
Juan Soto Dual Jersey Auto (#76) – No stranger to collector demand himself after several monster seasons, Juan Soto offers one of the more exciting dual-relic auto pulls in Select. Auto parallels of established stars tend to hold value exceptionally well long-term. Even base Soto dual auto patch cards are a big hit on the secondary market at $1,000+ consistently.
Spencer Strider Auto (#210) – One of the breakout pitching stars of 2022 was Braves flamethrower Spencer Strider. His rookie season exploits have driven collector focus firmly onto his rookie cards. The Strider Select auto parallel is highly popular despite a comparatively higher serial number of /99. PSA 10 examples have sold for $600-800 already.
CJ Abrams Gold Refractor Auto (#195) – Abrams showed terrific promise in his MLB debut campaign with the Padres. His availability as the coveted Gold Refractor parallel auto adds tremendous long-term intrigue. One freshly graded PSA 10 copy achieved $1,300 in an online auction, evidencing his card’s growth potential.
Oneil Cruz Blue Refractor Auto (#130) – While injuries slowed his 2022 season, Pirates prospect Oneil Cruz still wields immense talent and physical tools that leave fans dreaming on his upside. His scarce Blue Refractor auto parallel out of Select at /50 copies is a true short-print card drawing big bids north of $1,000 already from collectors banking on future success.
Adley Rutschman Gold Refractor Auto (#205) – After a breakout rookie season that ended in an All-Star bid, top Orioles prospect turned franchise cornerstone Adley Rutschman has secured elite prospect status. With Gold Refractor autos even more rare than the base parallel at /10 copies, this doubles as one of the scarcest cards in the set. Recent PSA 10 sales closed at $1,500+.
Riley Greene True Rookie Patch Auto (#35) – Tigers outfield force Riley Greene showed why he’s such a foundational piece for the rebuilding franchise in 2022. His Select patch auto pulls strong interest at $300-500 per copy in top grades given his franchise cornerstone potential in Detroit.
MacKenzie Gore Rainbow Foil Auto (#115) – Padres starter MacKenzie Gore began to flash the upside that made him a highly-touted prospect in 2022 before injuries slowed him. As one of the most aesthetically pleasing parallels in the set at short-print /25 copies with vivid rainbow foil treatment, his auto offers true long-term upside for collectors. Even raw copies have sold in the $500 territory accordingly.
Michael Harris II Gold Refractor Auto (#170) – Rookie of the Year caliber season or not, Braves centerfield standout Michael Harris II gave a glimpse of his 5-tool talent that promises big things ahead. His scarce Gold Refractor auto out of /10 copies encapsulates that promise in a true short-print grail card finding early huge demand at $1,000+.
The 2022 Panini Select release treated collectors to a stellar rookie class and short-print parallels that are already emerging as the year’s most sought-after modern baseball cards. With continuing prospect development and MLB success, these top cards shape up to achieve considerable long-term gains for patient holders alongside the young stars’ ascensions. An exciting new crop of talents is being cemented in the hobby through this latest stellar Panini offering.
