The hobby of collecting baseball cards has experienced a massive resurgence in popularity over the past couple of years. With prices skyrocketing for vintage and modern rookie cards of star players, it’s never been a better time to get involved in the market. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. Here are some of the top baseball cards to target in 2022 across both modern and vintage releases.
Shohei Ohtani (2021 Topps Chrome Refractor Auto RC) – As one of the most unique two-way talents in baseball history, Ohtani’s rookie cards have taken the hobby by storm. His 2021 Topps Chrome Refractor Auto RC remains one of the hottest modern cards on the market. With another MVP-caliber season in 2022, Ohtani fever will likely continue to drive up prices for this coveted rookie card. Graded PSA 10 examples have already eclipsed $10,000, so this is a card that is still a great long-term investment even at its current high prices.
Juan Soto (2018 Topps Chrome RC) – Soto exploded onto the scene as a 19-year-old in 2018 and hasn’t looked back since, establishing himself as one of the game’s true superstars. As one of the cleanest and most desirable rookie designs in recent memory, his 2018 Topps Chrome RC remains incredibly sought after by collectors. Prices have risen exponentially for this card in PSA 10 condition, with some sales nearing $3,000 in 2022. Soto’s age-23 season could see him take his game to an even higher level, further cementing this as a blue-chip baseball card for years to come.
Ronald Acuña Jr. (2018 Bowman Chrome RC Auto) – Acuña burst onto the scene with the Braves in 2018 and hasn’t stopped dazzling collectors and fans since with his 5-tool skillset. While prices for his Topps flagship rookie card have risen considerably, his 2018 Bowman Chrome RC Auto remains one of the most visually striking and coveted modern cards on the market. High-grade PSA 10 examples have reached over $5,000, showing this to be an astute long-term hold for any collection. Acuña’s talent and youth ensure this card’s value will remain strong for years to come.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2018 Topps Chrome RC) – Following in his Hall of Fame father’s footsteps, Vlad Jr. has lived up to the hype since debuting in 2019 and is now one of the game’s most feared sluggers. While still just 23 years old, his best seasons are surely still ahead of him. His sleek 2018 Topps Chrome RC remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing modern rookie designs and a must-have for any collector. PSA 10 copies have cracked the $1,000 mark in 2022 and have plenty of room for further appreciation with Vlad Jr. likely to have many more All-Star caliber seasons.
Mickey Mantle (1952 Topps #311) – As one of the all-time greats and the face of baseball collecting, Mantle’s 1952 Topps rookie card is the undisputed king of the vintage market. PSA 8 copies recently sold for over $360,000, with PSA 6 examples still fetching five-figure sums. While the card is out of reach for most collectors price-wise, it’s still fascinating to track the movements of this true Holy Grail item which continues to set record prices. For collectors working with more modest budgets, later Mantle cards from the 1950s remain strong long-term hold options.
Mike Trout (2009 Bowman Chrome Draft RC Auto) – Widely considered the best all-around player of his generation, Trout has done nothing but dominate MLB since his debut. His 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft RC Auto remains the pinnacle Trout card, combining his status as a generational talent with the highly desired rookie auto patch parallel format that was so popular in the late 2000s/early 2010s. PSA 10 copies have reached astronomical prices upwards of $400,000 in recent years, but high-grade versions still offer incredible long-term appreciation potential for savvy investors.
Ken Griffey Jr. (1989 Upper Deck RC) – As one of the most beloved players of the 1990s, Junior’s rookie cards from 1989 Upper Deck and Score remain hugely popular with collectors to this day. The Upper Deck RC boasts a clean and iconic design that perfectly captures Griffey’s essence as a player. PSA 10 copies have cracked the $10,000 mark in 2022 and will likely continue their steady rise as Griffey mania shows no signs of slowing. This is a true vintage classic that will retain its value for generations to come.
Mookie Betts (2012 Bowman Chrome RC Auto) – Now a star on the Dodgers, Betts first made his mark in the hobby with his 2012 Bowman Chrome RC Auto for the Red Sox. Featuring the always popular rookie auto format from Bowman’s Chrome set, this card really took off following Betts’ 2018 and 2020 World Series titles and MVP seasons. PSA 10 copies have reached over $6,000, showing this modern card’s strong investment potential even a decade after its release. With Betts still in his prime, his rookie remains a great long-shot to retain value.
Fernando Tatis Jr. (2019 Topps Chrome RC) – Arguably the most exciting young player in baseball, Tatis has quickly become one of the new faces of the game. His 2019 Topps Chrome RC was hugely popular at release and has only gained more notoriety as Tatis continues putting up MVP caliber numbers for the Padres. PSA 10 copies have cracked the $1,000 mark, leaving plenty of room for growth as Tatis hits his prime years. This is a modern card that has a great chance to emulate the careers of Acuña, Soto and others before it.
Sandy Koufax (1956 Topps #257) – One of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, Koufax’s rookie season was captured perfectly in his 1956 Topps card. High-grade versions remain some of the most iconic and valuable vintage cards in the hobby. PSA 8 copies have reached over $50,000 in recent years, showing this classic’s enduring popularity. While out of reach for most budgets, lower-grade versions are also strong long-term holds that will retain value as Koufax’s legend grows.
This covers some of the most desirable baseball cards on the market for collectors to target in 2022, whether just starting out or looking to strengthen an existing collection. By focusing on rookies and stars from both the modern and vintage eras, collectors can build a well-rounded collection with long-term growth potential. Following these players’ careers and monitoring the hobby closely will help maximize returns on any cards purchased this year.
