The 2022 Topps Heritage baseball card set is hugely popular among collectors due to its retro aesthetic that pays homage to Topps designs from the late 1960s. While the set was released in March 2022, card values have already started to shift dramatically based on player performance and changing collector demand. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top cards from the 2022 Heritage set and analyze what factors are driving their current values on the secondary market.

One of the biggest risers so far has been the rookie card of Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II. As a late bloomer who made his MLB debut in May at age 21, Harris wasn’t one of the top prospects heading into the season. He immediately made an impact with the Braves and has cemented himself as an everyday player, slashing .305/.343/.542 with 14 home runs through early August. This breakout performance has collectors scrambling to acquire his rookie card from Heritage, with PSA 10 gem mint examples now selling for $500 or more, a huge increase from the $75 range they traded for right after release. Harris’ emerging superstar caliber play for a top team will ensure his rookie remains one of the set’s most valuable cards going forward barring any injuries or dropoffs.

Another rookie on the rise is that of Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Like Harris, Rodriguez made his debut around mid-season at age 21 but quickly demonstrated why he was considered a blue-chip prospect. Slashing .270/.340/.500 with 15 home runs and emerging as a fan favorite in Seattle, Rodriguez’s Heritage rookie card has exploded in value, with PSA 10s now commanding $400-500. What’s impressive is Rodriguez still has room for further gains, as he’s seen by many evaluators as a future perennial All-Star and franchise cornerstone. As long as he stays healthy and productive, it’s likely his rookie becomes the most in-demand and valuable card from the entire 2022 Heritage set within the next few years.

Most of the top rookies from 2022 have seen their Heritage cards increase significantly based on early success in MLB. One exception has been Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene. Ranked as one of the top prospects in all of baseball entering the season, Greene struggled initially after debuting in June, batting just .250 over his first month in the majors. While he’s shown some signs of breaking out over the past couple months with an improved .288 average in July and August, Greene’s Heritage rookie still only fetches $150-200 raw despite his immense promise and status as the Tigers’ centerpiece. This shows how fragile early card values can be for rookies – one month of struggles was enough to significantly dampen near-term demand for Greene’s card compared to some others from his rookie class. With his blue-chip pedigree and Detroit’s increasing competitiveness, Greene’s rookie still profiles as a long-term gem that could catch back up and potentially surpass cards of Harris or Rodriguez down the road if he hits his ceiling in the majors.

While rookie cards tend to capture the most attention from collectors seeking the next big stars, proven veteran talent always holds value as well. Perhaps no card from the 2022 Heritage set better demonstrates this than that of Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. Even at 34 years old and with a Hall of Fame resume already cemented, Kershaw remains one of the best pitchers in baseball when healthy. He’s also deeply beloved by Dodgers fans after spending his entire 15-year career with the franchise. Not surprisingly, Kershaw’s Heritage base card from this year sells sharply graded for $50-75 despite numerous print runs over his long career, a strong indication of the perpetual demand that accompanies true stars with lasting pedigree on marquee franchises. For collectors seeking a “safe” vintage-styled card of a guaranteed future Cooperstown inductee, Kershaw’s 2022 Heritage remains extremely appealing and likely to hold value for decades to come.

While performance, franchise importance, and prospect pedigree drive a lot of the demand shifts seen so far with 2022 Heritage cards, purely speculative interest can also notably boost certain players’ values. One example is Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani. Despite missing significant time with various injuries over the past two seasons, Ohtani’s status as the only true two-way player in baseball and past dominance has granted him almost mythical status with some collectors. As a result, even relatively average copies of his Heritage base card from this year can fetch $50-75, well more than the $20-30 range they initially retailed for. While Ohtani’s durability concerns make relying too heavily on his career panning out risky, his unique dual talent role will always fuel collector enthusiasm that keeps modest versions of his modern cards elevated. Even if he never establishes himself as the perennial MVP candidate he’s capable of being, Ohtani will remain a cult favorite who garners solid demand.

While performance drives most fluctuations seen with 2022 Topps Heritage baseball cards so far, various other influential factors also impact individual players’ values. Prospect pedigree, franchise allegiance, starpower cachet, and sheer collecting speculation all play roles to varying degrees for different names within the set. As the 2022 season progresses and player fortunes continue developing, new risers and fallers are sure to emerge. But proven talents like Kershaw and speculative darlings like Ohtani look primed to retain stable appeal due to influences beyond just current stats. For collectors and investors alike, factoring in all these variables will be key to successfully navigating the shifting landscape of this throwback-styled product’s always-evolving card market.