The 2022 Bowman Chrome baseball card set was released in June 2022 and features prospects, rookies, and stars from all 30 MLB teams. As with previous years, the Bowman Chrome set focuses on showcasing some of the top minor league and rookie talent in baseball through its shiny chrome refractors and parallels. With highly coveted rookie cards of players like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Adley Rutschman, the 2022 Bowman Chrome set has generated a lot of excitement among collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best and most valuable cards collectors should be on the lookout for from the 2022 Bowman Chrome release.
Julio Rodriguez – Mariners – The Mariners’ top prospect had an incredible rookie season that has skyrocketed his cards to new heights. His base chrome refractor rookie card is a must-have for any PC. Look for numbered parallels like the /150, /99 and lower to really command premium prices. Rodriguez’s paper rookie cards were hot, but his chrome cards take things to another level. Expect his Bowman Chrome cards to hold significant long term value as his career progresses.
Bobby Witt Jr. – Royals – Like Rodriguez, Witt Jr. had a phenomenal rookie campaign that lived up to the hype. His base Bowman Chrome refractor is one of the most sought after rookie cards in the set. The /150 and /99 parallels will cost a pretty penny but are solid long term holds. Keep an eye out for rare 1/1 parallels as well. Witt Jr. looks like a perennial all-star and his rookie cards, especially from Bowman Chrome, should continue appreciating.
Adley Rutschman – Orioles – After years of being touted as baseball’s top prospect, Rutschman finally made his MLB debut in 2022. While he didn’t light the stats on fire like Rodriguez or Witt Jr., his tools and pedigree make his cards very desirable. The base Bowman Chrome refractor is the card to get, with lower numbered parallels being the prizes. Rutschman still has superstar potential and his rookie cards will be worth following.
Rookie Pitchers – Several promising rookie hurlers had their rookie cards featured in 2022 Bowman Chrome like George Kirby, Spencer Strider, and Hunter Greene. Their base refractors are nice to own, but parallels like /150, /99, and lower will hold the best long term value. Any of these arms could emerge as an ace so their rookie cards are worth investing in.
Top International Prospects – Players like the Twins’ Luis Matos, the Red Sox’ Marcelo Mayer, and the Tigers’ Jace Jung were among the highest rated international prospects eligible for the 2022 Bowman Chrome set. While they may not debut in the majors for a couple years, their cards hold strong long term value potential. Base refractors and color parallels are worth seeking out.
Top Draft Picks – Players taken high in the 2022 MLB Draft like Druw Jones (Braves), Elijah Green (Royals), and Brooks Lee (Twins) had their rookie cards included in Bowman Chrome. While they remain in the minors for now, their draft pedigree makes cards like base refractors and color parallels solid spec holds to tuck away.
Top Prospect Autographs and Memorabilia Cards – For collectors seeking higher end hits, look out for prized autographs and memorabilia cards of the above prospects. Autos and patches of players like Rodriguez, Witt Jr., Rutschman, Matos and Mayer can be long term keepsakes. Numbered parallels like /5, /10 are especially coveted and valuable.
Base Set Short Prints – The Bowman Chrome base set includes several short printed cards that are much rarer to pull than the standard issues. Cards like Witt Jr. (#BCP70) and Rodriguez (#BCP69) are extremely tough to find and command big premiums over their base refractors. Other short prints of top prospects are also highly sought after.
Manufactured Parallels – Bowman Chrome is known for its extensive parallel offerings beyond just the standard base refractors. Look for rare parallels like Gold (/50), Rainbow Foil (/25), Orange (/10), Red (/5), and White (/1). These low numbered versions of the top rookie cards are true collector treasures.
The 2022 Bowman Chrome baseball card release once again delivered some true gem rookie cards and prospect autographs/relics that are sure to hold value for years to come. For collectors, focusing on acquiring the base rookie refractors of stars like Rodriguez, Witt Jr., and Rutschman is key. But don’t sleep on valuable color parallels and short prints that make for true high-end prize cards within the set. With another stellar rookie class featured, 2022 Bowman Chrome is a release that will remain hugely popular with the collecting community.
