Choosing the best baseball cards packs to buy can be tricky with so many options on the market. Whether you’re a seasoned collector looking to add to your collection or a newcomer just starting out, finding packs that provide value and the thrill of the hunt is important. In this article, we’ll break down some of the top pack options for the 2022 season based on factors like hit rate, memorabilia cards, rookie potential, and overall value.
Topps Series 1 Baseball (Released in February 2022)
As the flagship product of the longtime MLB trading card license holder Topps, the 2022 Topps Series 1 Baseball set is always a safe bet for collectors. The base cards feature crisp photography and design elements fans expect from Topps each year. The retail blaster and hobby boxes offer a decent shot at pulling stars, prospects, and short prints.
Series 1 also provides some of the best rookie card options each year as it is one of the first major releases. In 2022, some of the top rookies included in Series 1 packs were Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Torkelson, and Julio Rodriguez. While you may not hit a big rookie, the base set alone makes Series 1 worth picking up a few packs or boxes.
Topps Chrome Baseball (Released in May 2022)
Topps Chrome is one of the premier high-end baseball card products each year thanks to its photo-variation parallels and refractors. The sleek chrome design truly makes cards from this set pop in a collection. Hobby boxes offer multiple hits on average which could be prized parallels or autographs.
Rookie prospects are again included, providing the chance at parallels and refractors of the top 2022 debutants. Chrome also features current stars in short printed photo variations that are highly sought after. While hobby boxes carry a higher price tag, the overall hit rate and prospecting potential make Chrome a favorite among serious collectors.
Bowman Baseball (Released in April 2022)
Bowman is a must-have for collectors looking to get in early on the next generation of MLB stars. As the primary issuer of true rookie cards for draft prospects and international signings, Bowman offers a first look at players before they make their pro debuts.
The 2022 class included first-round picks Druw Jones and Elijah Green along with hundreds of other prospects. While most don’t pan out, hitting a star’s first card can yield a valuable rookie card for the future. Hobby and jumbo boxes provide several autograph and parallel opportunities per box as well. It’s one of the most exciting sets for taking a chance on tomorrow’s all-stars.
Topps Allen & Ginter (Released in June 2022)
Allen & Ginter breaks the mold of traditional baseball card sets with its unique designs, varied inserts, and mix of baseball players alongside other athletes and celebrities. While baseball rookies and stars are included in the base checklist, the real thrill is the varied hits that could pop up in packs and boxes.
Memorabilia cards with swatches of jerseys or bats add a fun physical piece for collectors. Autographs are inserted throughout hobby products as well. Varied parallels and insert sets provide multiple collecting avenues beyond just baseball stats too. It’s one of the most unique mainstream releases with a lower risk of bust boxes compared to other high-end sets.
Topps Heritage Baseball (Released in May 2022)
Topps Heritage pays tribute to the design and feel of classic 1950s and 1960s Topps card designs with a retro aesthetic. While the base cards lack stats on the back, collectors enjoy the throwback look and feel of the set. Hobby boxes offer several short-printed parallel and autograph opportunities as well.
The 2022 Heritage release also included the highly sought after Mike Trout rookie card reprint and other star rookie reprints. For collectors looking to build a vintage-style set or hoping to pull a valuable retro parallel, Heritage delivers on nostalgia and nostalgic chase cards. It remains one of the most visually appealing mainstream releases each year.
Bowman Draft (Released in June 2022)
Bowman Draft focuses exclusively on draft prospects looking to sign their first professional contracts. While riskier than Bowman, hitting big with a first-round pick autograph or parallel could yield a valuable long-term prospecting card. Hobby boxes provide multiple autograph cards on average along with color and parallel opportunities.
The 2022 class was headlined by high school phenoms Druw Jones, Elijah Green and Brooks Lee. With no MLB performance to analyze yet, Draft is more of a shot in the dark but offers some of the most bountiful and affordable autograph hunts compared to other high-end sets if you pick the right players. It remains a budget-friendly way to take a chance on future stars.
Topps Fire (Released in July 2022)
Topps Fire provides a fun, flashy product with its textured foil and refracting “Fire” parallel inserts. Hobby boxes contain a good assortment of parallels and autographs of current MLB stars. While it lacks the true rookie card chase of other releases, Fire offers several short-printed chase cards at affordable price points.
The insert sets within Fire also provide additional collecting and variety. From Rainbow Foil parallels to Fire parallel autos, there are plenty of hits to aim for. It makes for an exciting rip and offers solid star power at a mid-range price compared to other high-end releases throughout the season.
There are many great baseball card packs to choose from depending on your collecting interests and budget. Evaluating factors like hit rates, rookie potential, chase cards, and overall value can help determine the best packs to target each year. While individual results may vary, the above mentioned 2022 releases provide some of the most well-rounded collecting and chasing opportunities available.
