Donruss returned to producing baseball cards in 2021 after a lengthy absence, and their 2022 offering builds on the momentum from their comeback year. The 2022 Donruss baseball set features a wide selection of the game’s biggest stars, rookies, and prospects alongside innovative parallels and inserts. With its sharp photography, retro designs, and focus on on-field action, the 2022 Donruss set has become a favorite among collectors both old and new.
At the core of the 2022 Donruss baseball release is the base set, containing 264 cards spanning all 30 MLB teams. Roster cards of each team’s players are the backbone of the set, with photography focusing tightly on vivid action shots. Veterans, rising stars, and top prospects are all represented. Some of the biggest names featured in the base set include Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Rookies like Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez, and Spencer Strider also have base cards that will be chase cards for collectors.
In addition to current players, the 2022 Donruss set pays tribute to the brand’s history with “Then and Now” parallel cards. These special parallels pair a current player’s photo with a retro design and statistic from one of their classic Donruss cards from the 1980s or 90s. Stars like Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Mookie Betts are spotlighted through these fun throwbacks to Donruss sets of yesteryear.
Rookies and prospects are highly sought after aspects of modern baseball card sets, and Donruss delivers exciting options for collectors in these areas. The base set features over 50 rookies, but additional chase cards can be found in the “Stars of the Future” and “Diamond Kings” inserts. Top prospects like Gunnar Henderson, Emerson Hancock, and Druw Jones are some of the young talents featured outside of the base set.
Parallels and short prints are where collectors can find some of the 2022 Donruss set’s most coveted chase cards. “Black” parallels contain the same photos and designs as the base cards but with a black border treatment, making them a popular parallel option. Other notable parallels include “Gold” (/50), “Gold Wave” (/10), and “Platinum” (/1) for ultra-short printed premium versions of cards. Insert sets like “Diamond Kings” and “Stars of the Future” also have parallel variations to add to their appeal.
Continuing Donruss’ tradition of innovative card designs, the 2022 release introduces several new insert sets. “Diamond Kings” features players photographed in dazzling 3D diamond-inspired artwork. “Stars of the Future” as mentioned highlights some of the game’s top prospects. “Then and Now” compares classic and modern player stats and photos. “League Leaders” honors statistical champions. “Field of Dreams” commemorates the iconic 1989 film with cards recreating scenes. These creative inserts add variety and collectability beyond the base cards.
In addition to packs, boxes, and blasters, Donruss also offers several high-end retail products for the 2022 release. “Hobby Jumbo” boxes provide the best odds at hitting short printed parallels and inserts. For true chase cards, “Hobby Box Toppers” can contain 1/1 printing plate autographs of stars like Ohtani and Acuña. “Luxury Suite” boxes take the premium experience further with guaranteed hit cards of game gear, autographs, and memorabilia pieces.
Whether seeking base rookies, chasing parallels, or aiming for one-of-a-kind hits, the 2022 Donruss baseball release has appealing options for collectors both seasoned and new. With its sharp photography, creative designs, and wide selection of today’s biggest names and tomorrow’s stars, the 2022 Donruss set has cemented its place among the year’s most popular modern issues. Its combination of tradition and innovation ensures Donruss baseball cards will remain a staple of the hobby for years to come.
