The baseball card collecting hobby continues to thrive in 2022 with new releases from the major card companies and independent brands. With a new season underway, here’s a look at some of the top baseball trading cards to look out for this year.
Topps Series 1 (Released in January 2022)
As always, Topps Series 1 is one of the biggest and most anticipated baseball card releases each year. The 2022 Series 1 set featured players from all 30 MLB teams and included rookie cards of potential stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and Julio Rodriguez. Some key cards from Series 1 include standouts like Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Ronald Acuña Jr. The design features clean photography on a white background. Parallels like silver packs, gold packs, and rainbow foil parallels were also available. Series 1 is a great set for both building a base collection and chasing stars.
Topps Heritage (Released in March 2022)
Topps Heritage pays tribute to classic Topps designs of the past with a retro aesthetic. The 2022 set honored the 1969 Topps design. Key rookie cards included in Heritage were Spencer Strider and Hunter Greene. Parallels like gold, silver, and black border parallel variants added to the excitement. Heritage is a favorite among collectors looking for a nostalgic design paired with today’s top players. The throwback style and parallels make Heritage a popular modern set.
Bowman Draft (Released in April 2022)
Bowman Draft is the premier product for following MLB’s rising prospects. The 2022 class featured potential stars like Druw Jones, Elijah Green, and Brooks Lee. The base set has a clean design with team logo fronts. Short prints, autographs, and refractors are some of the key chase cards that add value. Bowman Draft is essential for anyone wanting to get in early on the next generation of MLB stars before they make their debuts. It’s become one of the hottest modern sets year after year.
Topps Chrome (Released in June 2022)
Topps Chrome brings the flagship Topps Series 1 and 2 designs to a super-refractor parallel format with a foil treatment on each card. The refractors have eye-catching color variations like green, orange, purple, and more. Top rookies and stars like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Ronald Acuña Jr. were featured. Topps Chrome is a fan favorite due to the flashy designs that make each card really pop in a collection. The refractors attract lots of interest from collectors.
Topps Allen & Ginter (Released in July 2022)
Allen & Ginter has a fun, unique concept mixing baseball players with historical figures, artists, landmarks, and more. The 2022 release featured parallels like gold foil, silver foil, and printing plates. Rookie cards for Oneil Cruz and Adley Rutschman were included alongside non-sports subjects. Allen & Ginter is a quirky change of pace that provides variety in a collection. The mixed-subject design also draws in collectors beyond just baseball fans. It’s developed a strong cult following over the years.
Topps Archives (Released in August 2022)
Topps Archives recreates classic Topps designs from the 1950s-1980s with today’s MLB stars. The 2022 edition paid tribute to the iconic 1968 design. Key cards included superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Mookie Betts. Short prints and parallels like gold foil and black border variants added to the excitement. Archives satisfies nostalgia lovers while also providing modern content. It’s become a highly anticipated annual set since the concept was launched in the late 1990s.
Bowman Sterling (Released in September 2022)
Bowman Sterling features high-end prospects mixed with established MLB stars in an elegant design. The 2022 release included top rookies like Oneil Cruz and Bobby Witt Jr. alongside veterans like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Juan Soto. Autographs, memorabilia cards, and parallels like green shimmer and gold refractor are some of the top chase cards. At its high price point, Sterling caters more to serious collectors but still offers excitement as one of the premier modern products each year.
Topps Finest (Released in October 2022)
Topps Finest takes the flashy refractor concept of Topps Chrome to an even higher level. The 2022 set featured super-refractors of stars like Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto. Short prints, autographs, and 1/1 printing plates added to the thrill of the chase. Finest is renowned for its stunning refractors that shine brilliantly in a collection. At a premium price point, it attracts many collectors looking to treat themselves to the best modern cards on the market each year.
Topps Update Series (Released in November 2022)
Topps Update Series provides updates to the flagship Topps Series 1 and 2 releases with rookie cards of players who debuted after the initial sets. The 2022 Update included key first cards of players like Michael Harris II, Steven Kwan, and Luis Castillo. Short prints, parallels, and autographs were also incorporated. Update Series is essential for completing base sets and following the season’s top rookies. It remains one of the most popular modern issues each fall.
In summary, 2022 brought another exciting year of new baseball card releases from Topps, Bowman, and more. From flagship products to high-end parallels, there were many exciting cards released across various price points. The combination of established stars, top prospects, retro designs, and flashy parallels ensured there was something for every type of collector. With the continued growth of the hobby, 2023 is sure to bring even more anticipation as the next baseball season approaches.
