The 2022 Donruss baseball card set was released to much fanfare in December 2021 with its retro aesthetic and focus on the sport’s rising stars. While providing affordable entertainment for collectors of all levels, certain rare and coveted rookie cards have already emerged as some of the set’s most valuable assets. With interest in the hobby at an all-time high, let’s take an in-depth look at the 2022 Donruss cards that could potentially fetch the highest prices in the short and long-term.
Heading the list is arguably the most prestigious rookie card in the set, Tigers prospect Riley Greene’s prizm rainbow foil parallel. Numbered to only 10 copies, Greene is widely considered one of the top prospects in baseball and expected to be a cornerstone of Detroit’s future. His prizm parallel excites collectors with its spectacular iridescent foil pattern layered over the standard design. Early eBay sales have seen raw copies eclipse $1,000, showing the market’s willingness to invest heavily in Greene’s potential. As his career develops and hype grows, this ultra-short print run parallel could become a true blue chip gem within the set.
Another prized rookie is Cardinals phenom Jordan Walker’s prizm parallel, which is serial numbered to only 25 copies. As the second highest draft pick in 2021 and a possible future perennial All-Star, Walker is already drawing Ken Griffey Jr. comparisons from some scouts. His prizm parallel offers the scintillating rainbow look in an extremely limited run. Recently a PSA Gem Mint 10 copy amazing sold for $675, underscoring serious demand. With an massive 6’7″ frame and prodigious raw power, Jordan Walker may have a superstar future ahead of him and his prizm parallel could mushroom into one of the set’s most elite cards.
Staying in St. Louis, Nolan Gorman’s prizm parallel also tantalizes at a mere 25 copies produced. A top 50 prospect himself, Gorman has established himself as a masher in the low minors with eye-popping home run totals. His prizm parallel is slightly more attainable than teammates Walker and Liberatore, but still insanely scarce. Expect serious six-figure valuations if Gorman fulfills his immense potential at the MLB level in the next few years.
Pitching prospects also gain traction in 2022 Donruss, starting with Tampa Bay’s prized young flamethrower Taj Bradley. His prizm parallel offers the coveted iridescent look on an infinitesimal run of a mere 10 copies. Standing 6’5″ with an upper-90s fastball, Bradley has drawn comparisons to future stars like Gerrit Cole. Even raw on the market, a prizm parallel recently sold for $675 showing there is strong optimism regarding Bradley’s future. As he climbs the minor league ladder, this supremely rare parallel will only increase in estimation.
Staying in the Rays system, another 10-copy gem is Xavier Edwards’ prizm rainbow foil card. Considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball after a breakout 2021 campaign, Edwards possesses blazing speed and contact skills from the left side of the plate. As he develops power and refines his approach while terrorizing opponents on the bases and in the field, Edwards’ card values will likely appreciate sharply. His prizm parallel, with its dazzling refractor foil, already guarantees rarity for astute collectors.
Switching coasts to the Dodgers system, catcher Diego Cartaya tantalizes at #25 of 25 prizm parallels. At only 19 years of age, Cartaya already boasts formidable raw power for a backstop that could translate to 30+ homers annually if he hits his ceiling. Despite playing just 53 games above rookie ball, Cartaya has shot up prospect rankings and already become a fan favorite. His ultrarare prizm parallel introduces scintillation and scarceness to an already well-regarded prospect. Expect serious gains as Cartaya climbs the ladder.
Rounding out some of the 2022 Donruss set’s most valuable rookies are Blue Jays prospect Gunnar Hoglund’s prizm parallel at #10 copies and Giants prospect Kyle Harrison’s equally scarce parallel at #25 copies. Both fireballing southpaws, Hoglund and Harrison have already reached High-A at age 21 and shown robust strikeout abilities. With continued development, either could blossom into frontline starters at the game’s highest level. Their prizm parallels, highlighting rainbow foil embellishments, further enhance already scarce prospect cards and position them as long term hold gems.
While the 2022 Donruss baseball release offers entertainment for all fans and collectors, certain premium parallels standout as true treasures – especially those spotlighting the set’s most coveted rookies. Cards like Greene, Walker, Gorman, Bradley, Edwards, Cartaya, Hoglund and Harrison’s prizm rainbows excite with their spectacular foil finishes on infinitesimal print runs. As the young careers of these prospects continues unfolding, strong potential exists for their already valuable parallels to mushroom into six and seven-figure auction prices down the road. For discerning collectors, identifying and acquiring these true blue chip rookie gems from the 2022 Donruss set serves as a savvy long term hobby investment.
