The 2022 Toronto Blue Jays had one of their most exciting seasons in recent memory, making the playoffs for the first time since 2020. As a result, Blue Jays players received plenty of attention from collectors in the baseball card industry. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top Blue Jays cards from 2022 releases and discuss what made them stand out.
One of the most sought-after rookie cards of the year was Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah. The 24-year-old righty had a breakout season, going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA over 31 starts. Manoah established himself as the ace of the Blue Jays staff and finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Not surprisingly, his rookie cards from 2022 Topps products like Series 1, Series 2, and Allen & Ginter were hot commodities. The Manoah rookie autograph and memorabilia cards pulled a premium all year from collectors excited about his potential. With another strong season in 2023, the value of Manoah’s rookie cards could keep climbing.
Another Blue Jays player who had an exciting rookie campaign was outfielder Raimel Tapia. Acquired in a late-season trade with the Rockies, Tapia provided a spark at the top of Toronto’s lineup down the stretch. The 28-year-old switch hitter batted .278 with 54 runs scored in 106 games split between Colorado and Toronto. Tapia’s rookie cards, which featured him in a Blue Jays uniform for the first time, gained attention from collectors looking to buy into a potential breakout player. While he may never be a superstar, Tapia proved capable of being a quality fourth outfielder type, making his rookie cards a solid long-term speculative hold.
Of course, the biggest star on the Blue Jays roster continues to be Vladimir Guerrero Jr. After winning the AL MVP award in 2021, Guerrero took his game to an even higher level in 2022. The 23-year-old slugger led the AL with 131 RBIs while batting .274 with 32 home runs. Guerrero’s ascension to superstardom was reflected in strong demand for his latest cards from flagship Topps products like Series 1, Series 2, and Chrome. His autograph and memorabilia cards also held strong value due to his status as one of the game’s brightest young talents. As Guerrero continues producing at an elite level, it’s a good bet his cards will remain some of the most coveted in the hobby for years to come.
In addition to their talented young core, the Blue Jays also received solid veteran contributions in 2022 from players like George Springer, Matt Chapman, and Whit Merrifield. Springer stayed healthy and provided leadership from the top of the order, batting .267 with 25 home runs and 76 RBI. His cards, including autographs and parallels from Topps Finest, remained popular with collectors. Meanwhile, Chapman rebounded from an injury-plagued 2021 to hit .229 with 24 homers and 77 RBI playing a Gold Glove level third base. Merrifield was a steady force at the bottom of the order after being acquired from Kansas City, batting .240 in his part-time role. The veteran cards of these quality role players found interest as affordable options for team set builders.
While the Blue Jays fell just short of a World Series in 2022, they look primed to contend for championships in the years ahead with an exciting young core in place. As long as the team continues winning, demand for the cards of stars like Guerrero, Manoah, and more will remain robust. For collectors, snatching up affordable rookie cards of breakout players is a savvy long-term investment that could pay dividends down the road if those players live up to their potential. Between their on-field success and cache of emerging talent, the Blue Jays figure to provide plenty of compelling cardboard for the hobby going forward.
