The hobby of collecting baseball cards has grown increasingly popular over the last few years. With more people getting into the market, it’s important for collectors to understand which cards from the modern era could be valuable long-term holdings or good short-term flips. Here are some of the top baseball cards to target in 2022 across various player tiers and release years:

Rookie Cards of Emerging Young Stars (2018-Present)

Many of the game’s brightest young talents have recently emerged and their rookie cards remain reasonably priced but hold long-term promise. Look for cards of players like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., and Shohei Ohtani from 2018 Bowman Chrome, Bowman Platinum, Topps Chrome, Stadium Club and higher end releases like Topps Finest. While expensive compared to value baseball cards of the past, these could appreciate significantly as these players’ careers progress and they achieve milestones. Soto and Acuña have shown all-star caliber play already so their cards, particularly numbered parallels, may be the safest long-term prospects at prices still under $100 for most.

Superstar veteran cards (2005-2015)

The core of many hall of fame worthy careers were established in the 2000s and early 2010s. Now is a great time to buy cards of superstars while they are still active but their heydays in the rear view. Mike Trout rookie and original cards from 2009 Bowman Chrome and above remain some of the greatest bargains in the hobby. Other top targets are Buster Posey, Clayton Kershaw, Andrew McCutchen, Paul Goldschmidt, and David Price rookie cards. Cards from sets like Topps Chrome, Finest, and Bowman Sterling of players likely to join the Hall of Fame could multiply in value as their careers wind down.

Future Hall of Famers Early Career and Rookie Cards (1990s-2000s)

For a more budget-friendly collecting approach, consider legendary players’ cards from before their primes. Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez, and Craig Biggio rookie cards and early 90s-00s issues can still be had for under $50 in good condition despite how their careers played out. These could double, triple, or appreciate even more as their inductee status is cemented in Cooperstown. Bonds in particular remains undervalued as one of the game’s statistical greats marred by PED controversies late career.

Rookie Phenoms of the 1970s-1980s

For collectors interested in Hall of Famers from yesteryear, some of the most affordable options with big upside remain the rookie cards of superstars who came of age in the 1970s-80s. These include George Brett, Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr, Tony Gwynn, and Wade Boggs. Their early cardboard is still within reach of most budgets and holds potential to gain as more collectors seek pieces of these legends whose playing careers began prior to the Junk Wax Era. In high grades, expect continued rises as additional members of these greats’ generation join Cooperstown in the coming years.

Modern Veteran Stars Nearing Retirement (2010s)

The current generation of aging superstars may offer collectors a buying opportunity as well. Cards from the early 2010s of impending retirees like Albert Pujols, Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, and Adam Wainwright could appreciate strongly once they hang up their cleats, especially as milestones are reached. In a few cases like Pujols, undervalued cards exist from his dominant early Angels tenure that hold merit. Even if these players have passed their primes on the field, their retirement might trigger renewed card interest as their places in baseball history are solidified.

Autograph and Memorabilia Cards of Franchise Greats Past and Present

For higher-end collectors, authenticated autographs, memorabilia, and 1/1 parallel cards of franchise pillars and living legends tend to hold and increase in value best over time. Some names continually in demand include Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Tom Seaver, Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro, Mariano Rivera, Clayton Kershaw, and Mike Trout. Pursue cards from the premier releases that feature true on-card signing, memorabilia with documentation, and overall elite production quality. Examples that fit the bill are Topps Finest, Topps Tribute, Upper Deck Authentic, and Bowman’s Best. Despite initial high prices, these specialty cards from respected brands traditionally appreciate strongly for patient holders.

Vintage Stars of the 1950s-1970s

Last but certainly not least, collectors should keep an eye out for reasonably priced vintage cardboard featuring legends of baseball’s golden era. Stars like Willie McCovey, Carl Yastrzemski, Bob Gibson, Reggie Jackson, and Goose Gossage remain recognizable and respected names that folks love to connect with physically through their vintage cards. High grades of mid-tier stars can offer unexpected upside given the legends they represent today. Always research population reports and be wary of condition issues, but condition-sensitive vintage in the PMG or SGC 7-9 range offers an attainable connection to storied players and franchises before inflation eroded affordable access.

It’s an exciting time for baseball card collectors with so much young talent emerging and legendary careers ending or already complete to appreciate physically through cardboard. Doing research on undervalued areas of the hobby and targeting products from respected modern and vintage brands positions investors well to profit in both the short and long-term from continued card market exuberance. With patience and care taken to ensure authenticity and condition preservation, sought-after rookies, stars, and HOFers across all eras present opportunities for collectors today.