The 2022 baseball season brought with it a new crop of rookie cards and veterans that continued to appreciate in value. While many factors can influence the valuation of any given card, here are some of the top value 2022 baseball cards that collectors targeted based on player performance and popularity.
Shohei Ohtani, 2021 Topps Chrome Update Superfractor Auto #/10 ($150,000+) – Ohtani had another historic two-way season in 2022 and continued capturing the attention of casual and diehard baseball fans alike. His rookie cards from 2018 have appreciated tremendously, but none command as high of a premium as his ultra-short printed 2021 Topps Chrome Update Superfractor autograph, which is serial numbered to just 10 copies. With Ohtani cementing his status as a true unicorn and active two-way player, his vintage rookie cards and short prints like this are sure to hold tremendous long-term value.
Spencer Torkelson, 2021 Bowman Chrome Green Auto #/99 ($10,000+) – As the top overall pick in 2020, Torkelson entered 2022 with immense expectations. While he struggled initially in his MLB debut, Torkelson showed signs of breaking out in the second half for the Detroit Tigers. His rookie cards surged accordingly, especially the low-numbered parallel versions from his 2021 Bowman Chrome rookie year like the green refractor auto available in only 99 copies. Now that he appears on the cusp of stardom, Torkelson’s top rookies could appreciate significantly further.
Riley Greene, 2021 Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor Auto #/50 ($7,500+) – As Torkelson’s teammate on Team USA and the number 5 overall pick in 2019, Greene also had a highly-touted prospect pedigree entering 2022. He broke out with the Tigers and looked like a budding star, slashing .295/.334/.480 in 60 games. His 2021 Topps Chrome Yellow Refractor auto, limited to just 50 copies, exploded in value and shown that Greene has all the makings of a true franchise cornerstone for Detroit with prolific career still ahead of him.
Bobby Witt Jr., 2021 Topps Chrome Rainbow Foil Photo Variation Auto (#3,500+) – The number 2 overall pick in 2019, Witt lived up to the hype by making his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2022 and finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting. He immediately brought excitement and relevance back to Kansas City. While many of his top rookie cards gained tremendously, the scarce Topps Chrome rainbow foil photo variation parallel version became one of the true crown jewels from his rookie year product and should hold elite long-term value as he cement his superstar status.
Julio Rodriguez, 2021 Bowman Chrome Green Auto #/99 ($4,000+) – J-Rod dazzled for the Seattle Mariners as a 21-year-old rookie, slashing .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs and 75 RBI. He finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting and looks like a perennial all-star in the making. His top rookies gained appreciably as collectors anticipated his early success. The low-number green refractor auto from his debut Bowman Chrome set became an especially hot commodity card and gateway to owning an early investment in one of the brightest young stars in baseball.
Adley Rutschman, 2021 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor Auto #/50 ($3,500+) – As the top prospect and number 1 overall pick in 2019, expectations were immense for Rutschman entering 2022, his first full season with the Baltimore Orioles. He delivered by hitting .254 with 7 home runs in 84 games and showing all the promise of an elite all-around catcher. His 2021 Bowman Chrome oranges, limited to just 50 copies, absolutely skyrocketed with his debut and established Rutschman as a true blue chip whose cards could yield major returns for patient collectors.
Cardinal Rookies – Extended rookie card runs from players like Brendan Donovan, Dylan Carlson and Nolan Gorman drove excitement and collector interest around the 2021 and 2022 St. Louis Cardinals rookie classes. While short prints remain the true blue chips, even base rookies from breakouts like Donovan gained tangible value as they cemented lineups spots – showing how contributions at the MLB level can lift even common rookie cards substantially.
Veteran Stars – Established superstars like Ronald Acuña Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Mike Trout and Juan Soto continued seeing certain vintage and rookie cards appreciate strongly as they sustained elite careers in 2022 and looked to capture additional hardware and achieve career milestones. Especially for players signing massive long-term contracts, their early career cards represent an investment that collectors remained bullish could yield strong long-term returns.
While the 2022 baseball season brought ups and downs, it uncovered new young talents and cemented existing stars – all of which drove collector interest and appreciation for their rookie cards, relics, and autographs on the yearly trading card market. For those who intelligently speculated on the game’s brightest prospects and fiercest competitors, this crop of top value cards from the year offer intriguing long-term holdings with room left to climb even higher.
