Baseball cards have long been a popular investment and collecting hobby. With some of the most iconic sports brands and players in history, baseball cards offer a unique way for fans to own a piece of the game’s history and potentially see strong returns. With thousands of cards printed over the decades, it can be difficult to determine which ones have the best chance to appreciate in value. Here are some of the top baseball cards that experts recommend considering for investment in 2022.
One of the most sought-after rookie cards still is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. Only about 50 copies of this ultra-rare card are known to exist in gem mint condition. Graded examples have sold for well over $2 million, making it one of the highest valued baseball cards or trading cards in any sport. While the average collector will never own one of these, the Mantle rookie underscores the potential for long-term blue chip baseball cards to deliver tremendous returns.
For a more attainable vintage option, the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner is considered the holy grail of collectibles. Graded high examples in the $500,000-$1 million range show it still appreciates strongly despite over a century of collecting history. The story of its rarity, due to Wagner pulling out of the deal, adds to its mystique. Overall condition is key, but high graded T206 Wagners have historically performed very well as a long-term investment.
Modern rookie cards that could emerge as the new Mantles are the prospects for 2019 Bowman Chrome Baseball 1st Edition Prospect Autographs. Players like Wander Franco, Luis Robert, and Jo Adell all have a chance to become superstars and drive their rookie card values much higher. While riskier than proven veterans, landing one of the top young players pre-debut offers huge future upside. Condition is again paramount, with Gem Mint 10s being ideal for long-term potential.
For a proven star at an attainable price point, the 2009 Topps Update Bryce Harper rookie card shows strong potential. The young Nationals phenom became a household name and continues producing at an MVP level for the Phillies. High-grade examples in the $500-$1,000 range seem reasonably priced considering his ongoing production and fame. As one of the most iconic rookies of the past decade, it remains a staple in collections.
Vintage rookie cards of legends are always a sound investment, provided their condition warrants the high prices. A PSA 8 or above example of the 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie would cost $50,000+ today but has proven it can easily trade hands above $100,000 long-term. The same applies to the 1952 Topps Willie Mays ($25,000+) and 1957 Topps Hank Aaron ($15,000+) rookies. Even in lower grades, demand ensures they hold value through market ups and downs.
Modern parallels and short prints from the mid-2000s onward offer a unique niche for savvy collectors. The 2009 Topps Update Bryce Harper SP Autograph parallel in a PSA/DNA 10 recently brought over $25,000. Low-numbered parallels for stars like Mike Trout, Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr. and others in pristine condition follow similar long-term appreciation trajectories. Condition is critical but the rarity drives serious collector interest long-term.
For a proven star at a more accessible price point, any card of Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani has strong potential. Whether an autographed rookie from 2018 Bowman or one of his many prized Topps Update cards, Ohtani has quickly become one of the most popular players in the game due to his rare two-way talents. His on-field production and cultural cachet in both Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball make any Ohtani card under $500 a sound long-term investment, assuming high grades.
Vintage cards of all-time greats like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Ted Williams and more from the T206, 1911 and 1914 E135 sets are always blue-chip holdings. But high grades add substantial premiums that put even PSA 5s out of reach for most collectors. More reasonably priced vintage options include a PSA 6 or better of the 1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx ($3,000+) or the 1933 Goudey Dizzy Dean ($2,000+). Both Hall of Famers have proven their cards retain value through decades of collecting interest.
Proven star rookies and cards of all-time legends tend to be the safest long-term investments in the baseball card market. Modern parallels and young prospects from established brands like Topps, Bowman and Goudey also offer upside with the right players. Condition is paramount, so focus on PSA/BGS 9s and 10s for holdings aiming to appreciate over 5-10+ years. Baseball cards remain a fun and potentially lucrative hobby when the right purchases are made from a long-term perspective.
