The 2022 baseball season is well underway, and that means it’s prime time to start collecting the newest baseball cards. With so many options on the market each year from the major card companies like Topps, Panini, and Leaf, it can be tough to determine which 2022 baseball cards offer the best overall value. In this in-depth guide, we’ll take a look at some of the top choices that allow you to get cards of star players, prospects, and veterans without breaking the bank.
Topps Series 1 Baseball Cards: Topps remains the most iconic brand in the hobby, and the flagship Series 1 set is always a great value. The 2022 Series 1 base cards feature updated photos of over 400 major and minor leaguers and can be found in virtually every retail pack and blaster box. While star rookies and parallels hold most of the long-term value, you’re guaranteed to get players you’ll want in your collection. Hobby boxes that include autographs and memorabilia cards push the price up but are still affordable compared to high-end products.
Topps Heritage Baseball Cards: Topps Heritage pays tribute to the vintage look of 1950s and 60s cardboard with a retro design. The 2022 Heritage set includes over 400 players again with a mix of current stars and veterans from years past. Base cards are widely available and cheap on the secondary market. Hobby boxes offer a fun “repack” experience with a chance at valuable short prints and autographed parallels. Heritage is a fan-favorite that provides nostalgia along with modern player content.
Topps Chrome Baseball Cards: Topps Chrome features the same base roster as the standard Topps Series 1 and 2 releases but with a flashy “chrome” parallel design that collectors love. The refractors have a cool shine to them that makes hits that much more exciting. Blaster and hanger packs are readily available and offer a budget-friendly way to potentially pull short prints, autographs, and numbered refractors of rising talents. Chrome also has the added layer of excitement that a big rookie could be lurking in your next pack.
Topps Fire Baseball Cards: Topps Fire took the collecting world by storm upon its debut in 2021 with its unique “flame” parallel design. The 2022 Topps Fire base set features over 350 major leaguers in the standard red and gold color scheme. While hobby boxes are pricey, blaster boxes, hangers, and value packs provide an affordable path to adding these sharp-looking cards to your collection. Topps Fire has become a must-have for teams and players collectors thanks to its innovative style.
Topps Gallery Baseball Cards: Topps Gallery is a high-end photography-focused offering that uses beautiful action shots as the focal point. The 2022 Gallery base set includes 200 players. While the product is pricey, retail blasters offer a budget-friendly way to experience the set. Gallery cards have exuded a true “work of art” aesthetic that is appreciated both by investors and those who simply enjoy admiring amazing sports photos. The premium feel makes it a standout.
Topps Transcendent Baseball Cards: The flagship for Topps’ high-end tier, Transcendent provides collectors with one-of-one collage cards featuring unique combinations of photos and memorabilia of MLB’s biggest stars. The price tag on hobby boxes is hefty, but retail blasters offer an affordable path to potentially adding a truly singular work of art featuring a star player to your collection. While the odds of a huge hit are low, the experience of ripping packs is a thrill.
Topps Big League Baseball Cards: Topps Big League serves as an entry-level but still engaging set for young collectors. The 2022 release features a 200-card base checklist of MLB players with a fun “retro bubble” design. Value packs are readily available and inexpensive. While the set lacks parallels and hits of the bigger releases, it’s perfect for kids or those looking to build their team collections inexpensively. The fun factor is high for both new and seasoned collectors alike.
Panini Donruss Baseball Cards: Panini’s flagship Donruss brand provides a budget-friendly alternative to Topps with its 2022 release. The base set features over 350 major leaguers in the traditional “Donruss Diamond Kings” design. Hangers, blasters, and value packs are easy to find at affordable prices. While rookie hits won’t hold as much long-term value as Topps, you can still build your PC while having fun unearthing veterans, prospects, and stars for cheap.
Bowman Baseball Cards: While Bowman boxes and hobby packs carry higher prices than most due to the exclusive rookie class, retail blasters and value packs offer an affordable way to try your hand at pulling the next superstar outfielder or ace pitcher as a prospect. The 2022 Bowman base set features over 300 minor leaguers. Even base rookies of top prospects hold value. Bowman remains the pinnacle product for those chasing big rookie cards on a budget.
Stadium Club Baseball Cards: Panini’s premium photography-focused Stadium Club brand offers a fun, budget-friendly way to build your collection through value packs and blasters. The 2022 base set highlights 150 major leaguers in stunning images. While you likely won’t find autographs or numbered parallels outside of hobby product, Stadium Club cards are a treat for the eyes. Their premium look adds excitement to ripping packs at an affordable price point.
Allen & Ginter Baseball Cards: The unique retro design and diverse checklist that extends beyond just baseball players makes A&G a fun change of pace. The 2022 release features over 150 major leaguers mixed in with historical figures, landmarks, and more. Retail value packs offer an inexpensive way to experience this quirky set while still collecting stars. A&G’s unconventional approach makes it a budget standout.
Topps Series 2 Baseball Cards: Topps Series 2 builds upon the first release with another 400+ player base checklist plus new prospects and rookies as the season progresses. Retail packs and boxes are readily available and inexpensive. While the long-term value isn’t usually as high as Series 1, you can still complete your team sets or find prospects on the rise. Series 2 offers another affordable way to stay up to date on the latest players as the year goes on.
Topps Update Baseball Cards: Topps Update in late summer/fall provides a third helping of Topps cards for the year along with key rookies and prospects as the season comes to a close. Retail value packs are a great low-cost way to try and pull any breakouts while continuing to build your team sets. Update rounds out your Topps collection for the year affordably.
While high-end products offer the biggest potential payoffs, there are numerous 2022 baseball card releases across Topps, Panini, and other brands that provide excellent value propositions through affordable blasters, hangers, and value packs. Focusing on flagship products and assessing the secondary market prices of base rookies and stars can help you build an impressive collection without breaking the bank. Having fun and collecting players you enjoy is also important regardless of the long-term investment potential.
