The 2022 baseball season was an exciting one for the New York Mets and their fans. After finishing with a disappointing 77-85 record in 2021, the Mets made some key offseason additions that helped propel them back into playoff contention. Under new owner Steve Cohen, the team brought in ace pitcher Max Scherzer, outfielders Starling Marte and Mark Canha, and infielders Eduardo Escobar and JD Davis. The retooled roster took the NL East by storm, riding strong pitching and timely hitting to a 101-61 record and the division title.
Their success translated to strong interest from collectors in Mets cards from 2022 releases. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top rookies, stars, and memorable moments featured on baseball cards from this past Mets season:
Francisco Alvarez Rookie Cards – As the top-ranked prospect in the Mets system, Alvarez created buzz even before making his MLB debut in late September. The 20-year-old catcher smashed 30 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A to earn a cup of coffee in the bigs. His rookie cards from Topps, Bowman, and Panini are highly sought after by investors hoping to get in early on a potential future star. Graded mint condition PSA 10 versions of his Topps Now debut card have already sold for over $200.
Pete Alonso Cards – The slugging first baseman continued asserting himself as the most feared power hitter in the Mets lineup. Alonso smashed his second 40-homer season in 2022 while driving in 131 runs. Topps Update highlighted his season with a sharp silver parallel variation, while Panini Contenders featured him on multiple “atomic refractors.” As a cornerstone player, Alonso cards stay widely collected.
Max Scherzer Pitching Performances – In his first year with the Mets, the three-time Cy Young winner lived up to expectations with a 15-4 record and 2.29 ERA. Topps captured some of his finest outings on “Moment of Victory” cards, including a complete game shutout of the Phillies and a critical late-season win over the Braves. Scherzer will surely be a prime Mets target for Topps Update Series focus in 2023 as well.
Jacob deGrom Injury Return – Unfortunately for Mets fans, deGrom was limited to only 11 starts in 2022 due to lingering arm issues. His return to action in late August was a celebrated moment after a year-long absence. Topps saluted it with a “Patch of the Day” parallel showing him back on the mound with “Welcome Back!” stitching. Collectors chased this rarity as a sign of hope for the future of the ace’s career.
Postseason Performers – While the Mets were eliminated by the Padres in the Wild Card round, several stars had standout playoff games captured on cards. In Game 1, Taijuan Walker’s 5.1 scoreless innings got the Spotlight treatment from Topps. Game 2 saw Starling Marte belt a three-run homer highlighted on his Topps Update Series card. And Eduardo Escobar cracked four hits including a homer against Blake Snell.
Brandon Nimmo Contract Extension – A fan favorite for his excellent play and high-energy style, Nimmo signed an eight-year, $162 million deal to remain a Met long-term. Topps produced an “Ink Spots” parallel to commemorate the occasion, with blue and orange lettering denoting his new colors. This serves as an importantmilestone card for collectors tracking Nimmo’s career.
Team Set Memorable Moments – Topps Finest captured Pete Alonso celebrating after a walk-off hit, while Bowman Platinum showed Jeff McNeil sliding home. 2023 Topps Series 1 has Francisco Alvarez delivering the game-winning RBI. These are just a few examples of how flagship sets have spotlighted exciting 2022 Mets themes to remember this playoff-qualifying season.
Some key rookie card parallels from Bowman Draft/Chrome also gained recognition, such as Brett Baty in red refractor and the blue shimmer version of J.T. Ginn. Autograph cards remain highly sought after too across all the brands, with players like Alvarez, Baty, and Mark Vientos among the most in-demand signed rookies in the Mets’ system. It was an action-packed campaign for Queens fans to relive through this year’s collection of baseball cards chronicling the team’s success. With so many young stars emerging and championships the next goal, 2022 Mets cards look poised to retain value for devoted collectors in the years ahead.
