Donruss has been producing high-quality baseball cards for collectors for over 30 years. Their 2022 release continues their tradition of offering affordable packs and boxes that can yield exciting rookie cards and veteran stars. With so many great options to choose from in the 2022 Donruss set, it can be tough to decide which cards are truly the best. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the top Donruss cards collectors should be on the hunt for from this year’s release.
Bobby Witt Jr. Base Rookie Card (#109)
Bobby Witt Jr. had a phenomenal rookie season with the Kansas City Royals in 2022 that saw him finish second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. As the number two overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Witt came into the season with huge expectations and largely delivered. His Donruss base rookie card is one of the hottest rookie cards on the market right now. With his 5-tool talent and being a cornerstone for the Royals franchise, Witt’s rookie cards are primed to skyrocket in value over the coming years as he develops into a perennial all-star. The base version can still be found for under $100, making it one of the more affordable ways to get in on one of the top rookies from the class of 2022.
Julio Rodriguez Base Rookie Card (#143)
While Witt may have come in second place for AL ROY, the winner was Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez. J-Rod had one of the strongest rookie campaigns in recent memory, slashing .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases. His exciting all-around play was a big reason the Mariners returned to the postseason. Like Witt, Rodriguez possesses the type of five-tool talent that should make him a yearly MVP candidate. His Donruss base rookie remains one of the most sought-after modern rookie cards on the market, with PSA 10 examples already pushing north of $1000. For collectors looking to add a true future superstar to their collection, Rodriguez’s rookie is as good of a long-term investment as any.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Base (#64)
When healthy, Ronald Acuña Jr. is arguably the most electrifying player in all of baseball. Unfortunately, injuries have slowed what was an MVP-caliber start to his career over the past two seasons. However, Acuña showed in 2022 that he appears fully recovered from the ACL tear, slashing .266/.364/.433 with 10 home runs in just 92 games. At just 25 years old, he still has superstar potential and will be a cornerstone for the Braves moving forward. His Donruss base card remains one of the most iconic in the set and is a must-have for any serious collector. Even after injuries, Acuña’s star power keeps his cards highly valuable.
Sandy Alcantara Base (#157)
While rookies and young stars get much of the hype, Sandy Alcantara had one of the most dominant pitching seasons in all of baseball in 2022. The Marlins’ righty went 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA and 207 strikeouts in 228 innings pitched. He became the first pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 2000 to throw at least 200 innings with a sub-2.50 ERA. Alcantara cemented himself as one of the elite aces in the game and is poised to continue racking up Cy Young votes for years to come. His Donruss base card is an affordable addition for any collection looking to commemorate one of the true workhorses of the modern game.
Aaron Judge Base (#111)
After smashing an AL record 62 home runs in 2022 and coming within a hair of winning the Triple Crown, Aaron Judge had one of the single greatest individual seasons in baseball history. The Yankees slugger is now a household name and one of the faces of MLB. While his rookie cards from 2013 are out of reach for most collectors monetarily, his 2022 Donruss base provides an affordable way to own a card featuring “the new Bambino.” Judge is still in his prime and should continue mashing for many years, making his 2022 cards excellent long-term keepsakes of one of the game’s true superstars.
Shane McClanahan Base (#176)
While the rookie and star veterans get top billing, serious collectors know the importance of snagging emerging ace pitchers too. Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan exploded in 2022, going 12-6 with a 2.54 ERA and league-leading 241 strikeouts. The 25-year-old lefty has ace-level stuff and durability, pitching over 200 innings between the regular season and playoffs. McClanahan has a bright future as the ace of the Rays staff for years to come. His Donruss base provides a relatively affordable investment in one of the game’s rising superstar hurlers who should rack up Cy Young votes for a decade or more.
Luis Arraez Chrome Refractor (#CR-LA)
While they may not attract the headlines that home run hitters do, contact-first hitters like Luis Arraez are a joy to watch. In 2022, the Twins’ second baseman led all of baseball with a .316 batting average, showing why he’s one of the purest hitters in the game today. Arraez’s Chrome Refractor parallel from Donruss provides a shiny, eye-catching card showcasing the batting title winner. Chrome parallels like these tend hold their value very well for star players. Arraez looks poised for multiple batting titles in his career, making his Chrome Refractor a solid long-term collecting option.
Spencer Strider Chrome Blue Refractor Auto (/99)
Rookies and stars aren’t the only cards that can hold long-term value – emerging young pitchers with upside like Braves flamethrower Spencer Strider can too. The righty broke out in 2022 with a 2.67 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 131.2 innings as a vital member of Atlanta’s rotation. Even better, his Chrome Blue Refractor Auto (/99) from Donruss guarantees its rarity as a sequentially-numbered parallel autographed card. Strider has ace-level stuff and is a cornerstone of the Braves’ future plans. His low-numbered refractors could explode in value if he continues developing into the frontline starter his raw talent indicates.
While the 2022 Donruss set offers cards on nearly every MLB player, these eight options stand out as particularly strong long-term holds for any baseball card investor or collector. Focusing on the best rookies like Witt and Rodriguez, superstar veterans like Judge and Acuña, emerging young talent like McClanahan and Strider, and parallel refractors of top performers provides a well-rounded portfolio primed to appreciate nicely with time. For affordable cards that could pay dividends, the 2022 Donruss release offers no shortage of great choices.
