The 2022 Topps baseball card release saw the company continue their run as the leading producer and distributor of modern baseball cards. As with any new card release, there is uncertainty surrounding the long-term value and collectability of the 2022 Topps cards. After reviewing recent sales data and considering factors like production numbers, rookie cards, and parallels, there are a few things that indicate the 2022 Topps cards do have monetary value now and upside potential in the future.
To start, 2022 was another year with print runs on the lower side compared to Topps releases from prior decades. While still readily available in stores and online, the overall production numbers were smaller than years past. Lower print runs typically correlate to stronger long-term value, as scarcity is an important driver of appreciation over time.
Also positive for the 2022 cards is that it features some highly coveted rookies that could end up being big stars long-term. Cards of rookies like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Torkelson, and others are in high demand and selling well now. If any pan out as expected, their rookie cards from this set could gain substantial worth down the road. Hall of Fame players always increase interest in their early career cards retroactively.
Within the set, parallel and short-printed “hits” also hold value due to their relative scarcity compared to the base cards. Rarer parallels like red, green, and blue refractors that number less than the standard issue cards are selling for multiples of the common parallel’s price. Popular veterans with desirable low-numbered parallel versions are trending especially well currently.
Focusing more on current sales, base rookies and stars are commanding prices upwards of $10-20 per card depending on the player. Top rookie cards have sold for $50-100+ and superstar cards have reached $25-50. While these may seem modest compared to iconic vintage cards, for a modern release it shows there is measurable worth assigned by the market already. With time, appreciation is anticipated as fewer remain available through circulation.
Demand for the 2022 Topps cards has also held up well since release. This is a sign of strong, continuing collector interest that bodes well for maintaining and building value long-term. Other modern sets have seen prices steadily decline post-hype, but 2022 Topps cards are largely stable or rising still. Sustained buyer enthusiasm promotes future collectability.
When considering all the factors – smaller print runs, star rookies, parallel scarcity, decent initial prices, and maintained demand – the signs point to the 2022 Topps baseball cards possessing genuine monetary value in today’s market. While any single card may appreciate slowly, complete sets also command a premium that is liable to increase over a decade or more. Savvy collectors snatching up stars and hits could realize solid returns if they have the patience to hold for 5-10+ years down the road. So while it remains to be seen exactly how the 2022 cards perform in the vintage card market of the future, all evidence so far suggests they hold inherent worth and upside potential.
Despite the massive production volumes of modern sports cards overall, the 2022 Topps release was modestly printed by today’s standards. It features some potential future Hall of Famers in their rookie seasons and parallels that add scarcity value. Initial secondary market activity is robust. All arrows point to this set deserving classification as a monetary baseball card asset, both presently and with maturation over time. While patience will be required, 2022 Topps cards seem well positioned as a collection to gain in collecting and resale value going forward.
