The 2022 Panini Mosaic baseball card set was released in November 2022 and features some of the top rookies and stars from this past MLB season. As with previous years, Mosaic delivers stunning parallels and variations that make certain cards quite valuable and desirable among collectors. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the best 2022 Mosaic baseball cards to chase.
Perhaps the most sought-after rookie card in the entire set is Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene. Greene had a strong debut in 2022 and is considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball. His base Mosaic rookie card is plentiful but still holds value given his future star potential. Where Greene rookies really start to gain value is in the parallel and short-printed versions. The Green /99 parallel is getting upwards of $100 raw while the ultra-rare Gold /10 parallel has sold for over $1,000. Greene’s Mosaic rookie patch autographs and memorabilia cards also demand big money given his hype.
Another rookie generating tremendous buzz is Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Like Greene, J-Rod had a breakout rookie campaign that has vaulted him into stardom. His base Mosaic rookie is only around $20-30 but that price jumps significantly for color parallels. The Green /99 parallel recently sold for $175 while the Gold /10 has gone for over $800. Rodriguez also has desirable autograph and memorabilia cards in Mosaic that are must-haves for any collector following one of baseball’s brightest young stars.
Speaking of rising stars, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Reid Detmers is another rookie name to know. Detmers threw a no-hitter in 2022 and looks poised to become the Angels’ ace for years to come. While not as well-known as Greene or Rodriguez, Detmers’ Mosaic rookie cards are still worth acquiring – especially parallels. Look for his Green /99 to carry a $50-75 price tag while rarer color versions command three figures or more. Detmers autographs and memorabilia cards in Mosaic also hold solid long-term value.
For veteran star power, you can’t go wrong chasing cards of New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. After smashing an AL-record 62 home runs, Judge is baseball’s biggest name at the moment. His base Mosaic sells in the $30-50 range but parallels are much costlier. Judge’s Green /99 parallel recently sold for $275 while his ultra-rare Gold /10 fetched over $1,000. Autographed and memorabilia versions of Judge’s iconic 2022 season are must-owns for any serious collector.
Another star enjoying a monster year was St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. At 35, Goldschmidt put together an MVP-caliber campaign, leading the NL in batting average. His Mosaic base carries a $15-25 price while the Green /99 parallel has sold for around $75. Goldschmidt autographs and memorabilia cards are also very collectible given his outstanding 2022 season. Even veterans like Goldschmidt see a boost in Mosaic card values after performing at an elite level.
Rookies aren’t the only ones with desirable Mosaic parallels. For example, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw’s Green /99 parallel has sold in the $150 range. Kershaw remains one of baseball’s most popular veterans and his parallel Mosaic cards hold great long-term value. The same can be said for Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr., whose Green /99 parallel has gone for $125-150 despite missing most of 2022 due to injury. Superstar names will always be in high demand on the secondary market.
Of course, no discussion of 2022 Mosaic would be complete without mentioning the set’s biggest star – New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer. Mad Max enjoyed a phenomenal season after signing a mega free agent deal. His base Mosaic sells for $30-50 while the Green /99 parallel has gone for $250-300 raw. Scherzer’s 1/1 Mosaic “Rainmaker” parallel is the true crown jewel, recently selling for an astounding $4,000. Few modern players generate card values on par with the three-time Cy Young winner.
In addition to top rookies and stars, 2022 Mosaic served up several exciting parallels and short prints to chase. The Silver Prizm parallel is limited to only 10 copies and these ultra-rare pulls can fetch thousands of dollars depending on the player. The Gold Wave parallel is numbered to just 5 copies and also holds immense value. Numbered to /25, the Mosaic “M” parallel is another coveted short-print. And for the true high-rollers, 1/1 Mosaic “Genesis” parallels exist featuring swatches of game-used memorabilia.
Overall, 2022 Panini Mosaic delivered another outstanding modern baseball card set with its stunning photography, colorful parallels, and exciting short prints and serial numbered cards. While the base cards of stars like Judge, Scherzer and rookie sensations Greene and Rodriguez are must-owns in their own right, it’s the color variations and low-numbered pulls that really make Mosaic a premier high-end product. With strong on-field performances, rising prospects and valuable parallel chase cards, 2022 Mosaic looks poised to become one of the set’s most collectible editions for years to come.
