The baseball card market is always changing as new players emerge and certain cards from past years gain more value and popularity. While some classic cards from the 1950s and 1960s will always hold immense value, there are also plenty of modern cards that are gaining steam. Here are some of the hottest baseball cards on the market right now in 2022 based on recent sales data and demand from collectors.
Sandy Alcantara 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor Auto /99 – Alcantara has emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball for the Marlins over the past few seasons. He had a breakout year in 2022 with a 2.28 ERA and 228 strikeouts in 228 innings pitched. His rookie cards from 2014-2015 have seen nice gains but his 2021 Topps Chrome refractor auto patched card numbered to just 99 copies is one of the most sought after modern rookie cards on the market. Examples in gem mint condition have sold for over $1,000 recently.
Bobby Witt Jr. 2021 Topps Chrome Rainbow Foil Auto /25 – Witt became the number 2 overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft and made his big league debut with the Royals in 2022 at just age 21. He showed off impressive power and speed and looks like a future star. His ultra short printed rainbow foil auto patch card from 2021 Topps Chrome numbered to only 25 copies is incredibly scarce and examples have sold for upwards of $3,000 in high grades. Witt’s rookie cards across all products have gained at least 50% in value in the last year.
Ronald Acuña Jr. 2018 Bowman Chrome Color Refractor Auto /25 – Acuña emerged as a true superstar for the Braves from 2018-2021 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Even after missing almost all of 2022, his cards remain some of the most coveted in the hobby. His 2018 Bowman Chrome color refractor auto patch card numbered to only 25 copies is the pinnacle Acuña rookie card. High grade examples have sold for over $10,000, showcasing how beloved he is as one of the faces of the league.
Julio Rodriguez 2021 Topps Chrome Rainbow Foil Auto /25 – Rodriguez had a phenomenal rookie season with the Mariners in 2022 that was cut short by a wrist injury. But he still showcased tantalizing five-tool talent and was named AL Rookie of the Year. Like Witt, his ultra short printed 2021 Topps Chrome rainbow foil auto patch card numbered to just 25 copies is exceedingly rare and examples have sold for $4,000+. Rodriguez is poised to be a perennial All-Star and his cards are only going up in value as he establishes himself.
Wander Franco 2021 Topps Chrome Black Refractor Auto /50 – Franco made a huge splash as one of the top prospects in baseball history when he debuted for the Rays in 2021 at just age 20. He showed off elite hitting skills and contact abilities and is considered a future superstar. His most sought after rookie card is the 2021 Topps Chrome black refractor auto patch numbered to only 50 copies. High grades of this Franco rookie card gem have sold for over $7,500, a testament to his soaring popularity and potential.
Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Refractor Auto /99 – Even after over a decade in the big leagues cementing himself as the best player of his generation, Trout’s earliest rookie cards remain some of the most coveted in the hobby. While his 2012 Topps rookie is iconic, the true Trout holy grail is considered his 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft refractor auto patch numbered to just 99 copies from when he was drafted. An example in PSA 10 gem mint condition sold for a staggering $396,000, showcasing both Trout’s legendary status and the rarity of the card.
Shohei Ohtani 2021 Topps Chrome Rainbow Foil Auto /25 – As a true two-way star capable of pitching and hitting at an elite level, Ohtani is one of the most unique and exciting players in baseball history. While his 2018 Topps Series 1 rookie card gained plenty in the last few years, his ultra short printed 2021 Topps Chrome rainbow foil auto patch numbered to only 25 copies is incredibly rare and coveted by super collectors. High grades have sold for over $6,000, reflecting Ohtani’s superstardom and this card’s immense scarcity.
Juan Soto 2018 Bowman Chrome Color Refractor Auto /25 – Soto burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old for the Nationals in 2018 and quickly established himself as perhaps the best pure hitter in baseball. While all of Soto’s early cards hold value, his most iconic rookie is the 2018 Bowman Chrome color refractor auto patch limited to only 25 copies. Graded examples have sold for $12,000+, a testament to Soto’s status as a true offensive force and the immense rarity of this card. Soto is still just 24 years old and should have many elite seasons ahead of him.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2018 Topps Chrome Refractor Auto /50 – As the son of a Hall of Famer, Guerrero Jr. had immense hype surrounding him as a Blue Jays prospect. While injuries slowed his debut in 2019, he’s emerged as an All-Star caliber player since. His most valuable rookie card remains the 2018 Topps Chrome refractor auto patch limited to just 50 copies. High grades have sold for over $7,000 due to Guerrero’s established star power combined with the extreme scarcity of this card.
Fernando Tatis Jr. 2019 Topps Chrome Rainbow Foil Auto /25 – Tatis burst onto the scene for the Padres in 2019 at just age 20 and immediately showcased five-tool talents. He’s become one of the faces of MLB despite injuries limiting his 2022 season. The true Tatis holy grail rookie is considered his 2019 Topps Chrome rainbow foil auto patch numbered to a tiny 25 copies. Graded examples have sold for well over $10,000, a testament to Tatis’ superstardom when healthy and the immense rarity of this card.
While vintage cards from legends will always hold immense value, the above modern rookie cards showcase some of the biggest young stars in baseball today. As players like Acuña, Trout and Soto have sustained excellence, their earliest cards have gained millions in worth. Meanwhile, rookies like Witt, Rodriguez, Franco and more have cards that are among the most sought after on the market right now. With rarities numbered to under 100 copies, these modern cardboard pieces of star players’ early careers have become highly valuable collectibles for today’s hobbyists.
