The 2022 Topps Baseball card set saw Topps return to its traditional design aesthetic after experimenting with various insert-heavy designs in recent years. The 2022 set marks the 70th anniversary of Topps’ iconic baseball card brand and contains a total of 372 base cards that make up the complete set. While individual cards can hold significant value, especially rookies and star players, the total value of completing the entire 2022 Topps Baseball set is moderate compared to recent years.
As the flagship brand of Major League Baseball cards, Topps baseball sets are some of the most widely collected each year. The 2022 design features a classic white border around each photo with team logos prominently displayed at the bottom. The checklist includes base cards for all 30 MLB teams as well as manager, coach, and retired player cards. Topps also included 22 rookie cards spotlighting some of the top prospects in baseball that made their debuts in 2022 such as Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Adley Rutschman.
When the 2022 Topps Baseball set was first released in March, hobby boxes could be found for around $100 MSRP containing about 12 packs with 18 cards per pack including several inserts. As the season progressed and more parallels were released, the secondary market price increased. Currently, a sealed 2022 Topps hobby box in good condition sells for around $150-175 online. This means to complete the base 372 card set by buying individual packs and boxes would cost a collector around $300-350 depending on their luck and pull rates.
The true monetary value of a complete 2022 Topps Baseball set comes down to the condition and grade of the cards if they were to be sold. In raw, ungraded near mint condition straight from packs, the full set holds a market value between $150-200 according to recent eBay sales data. This means most collectors are not gaining much financial value versus what they spent to acquire the cards. The cards would need to receive high grades from professional grading companies like PSA or BGS to realize significant profit.
Top graded rookies and stars from the 2022 set such as Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Ronald Acuña Jr. PSA 10 gems have sold for $100-300 individually. But most base cards in a PSA 10 would only garner $5-10 each online. To grade the entire set would cost over $1000 in grading fees not including shipping costs. Even with every card grading a perfect PSA 10, the set as a whole is only estimated to be worth $1500-2000 max on the current market. After accounting for grading and initial purchase costs, there would be minimal financial returns for most collectors.
Where the real long-term value is for the 2022 Topps set lies in its investment potential down the road as the rookie classes continue their careers. Sets take on more significance and demand as players establish themselves in the league, achieve career milestones, win awards and championships. Sets also tend to appreciate in value over 5-10 year timeframes as they transition from modern releases to coveted vintage products. For example, complete 2012 Topps Baseball sets graded by PSA recently sold for over $10,000 due to stars like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Manny Machado.
While the monetary value today is modest, the 2022 Topps Baseball release commemorates a pivotal year in the brand’s history. For set collectors, it provides the foundation to chronicle the entire 2022 MLB season and rookie classes for years to come. Top rookie performers like Rodriguez, Witt Jr. and others could exponentially increase the long-term worth of this set if they emerge as future superstars. But for now, the 2022 Topps complete set holds more sentimental and nostalgic value for collectors than big immediate financial returns. Patience will be required to realize true appreciation over the next decade.
To collect the full 372 card 2022 Topps Baseball base set in today’s market would cost a collector between $300-350. The raw set holds a current resale value around $150-200. To grade the entire set and potentially gain higher prices long-term would be cost prohibitive, running over $1000 with no guarantees. While individual rookie cards show promise, the 2022 Topps set overall has modest monetary worth presently. Its true value will be determined by how this year’s rookie classes pan out over their careers and how the set appreciates as a vintage release in the coming years.
