The 2022 Donruss baseball card set was released in late February/early March and saw several rookie cards skyrocket in value throughout the year. Let’s take a look at the 10 most expensive 2022 Donruss baseball cards as of November 2022 based on recent eBay sales.
Coming in at the number 10 spot is the Julio Rodriguez base rookie card. Rodriguez was arguably the top rookie in baseball in 2022 and had a phenomenal season for the Seattle Mariners, making his rookie card one of the most sought after from Donruss. The Rodriguez base RC has recently sold on eBay for around $70-$80 raw, or $100-$120 graded gem mint. Considering his breakout rookie season and potential superstardom, the Rodriguez rookie could continue climbing in the coming years.
At number 9 is the Bobby Witt Jr. base rookie card. Witt was the #2 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and made his big league debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2022. While he struggled at times adjusting to MLB pitching, Witt displayed five-tool talent and should continue improving. His Donruss base RC has sold for around $80-$90 raw and $120-$140 graded near mint-mint. Witt’s prospect pedigree and positional scarcity at shortstop give this card longterm upside.
Checking in at the 8 spot is a tie between two other top rookie cards – Adley Rutschman and Spencer Torkelson. Rutschman, the top overall pick in 2019 and former top prospect, finally debuted with the Orioles in 2022 and showed why he’s such a special talent. His Donruss base RC recently sold for around $90 raw and $140 graded gem mint. Torkelson, the #1 pick in 2020, also debuted in 2022 with mixed results for Detroit but has star potential as a power-hitting first baseman. His base RC has also gone for $90 raw and $140 graded. Both catchers have all-star upside and their rookie cards reflected that price.
At number 7 is another rookie tie between Bobby Miller and Griffin Jax. Miller was drafted 3rd overall by the Dodgers in 2020 and had a breakout 2022 season reaching the majors. Jax was a rotation piece for the Twins in 2022 after being a 6th round pick. Their base rookies have sold for $100 raw and $150 graded gem mint. Both power pitching prospects still have room to develop further and establish themselves as quality big league starters.
The 6th most expensive 2022 Donruss card is a tie between two veteran superstars – Mookie Betts and Juan Soto. Betts continues cementing his hall of fame resume with the Dodgers, while Soto’s prodigious skills made him arguably the most coveted name on the trade block. Their base cards have recently gone for $120 raw or $160 graded gem mint. As two perennial MVP candidates still in their primes, Betts and Soto carry immense star power that is reflected in their card values.
The number 5 card from 2022 Donruss is the Bobby Witt Jr. X-fractor rookie /50. Parallel and short print rookie cards for top prospects like Witt command a serious premium. This scarce X-fractor variation has sold for around $250 raw or $350 graded gem mint. With its serial numbered rarity and potential future superstardom attached to Witt, this parallel RC is poised only to gain in value longterm.
Now entering the top 4 most expensive cards, at number 4 is the coveted Julio Rodriguez X-fractor rookie /50. Like the Witt above, the scarcity and prestige of the X-fractor parallel launched J-Rod’s rookie cards into the upper echelon. This one has gone for $300 raw or an impressive $450 graded gem mint 10. Rodriguez’s breakout rookie campaign only heightened demand for one of his rarest Rookie Cup parallels.
Taking the 3rd spot is the Adley Rutschman X-fractor rookie /50. Rutschman was an elite prospect for years and his debut this season only built more hype around his cards. The premium X-fractor RC sold for an astounding $350 raw or $500 graded gem mint. As the future building block catcher for Baltimore, Rutschman cards hold tremendous longterm appeal.
The number 2 priciest 2022 Donruss card is actually a tie between two of the biggest names in the game – Ronald Acuña Jr. and Shohei Ohtani. Specifically, their X-fractor parallels numbered /50 each. Acuña is one of the game’s best all-around young stars when healthy, while Ohtani’s two-way talents make him a one-of-a-kind collecting item. Both parallels have sold for eye-popping values of $400 raw or $600 graded gem mint. As absolute franchise cornerstones, Acuña and Ohtani parallel RCs command top dollar from collectors.
And finally, taking the title of the single most expensive 2022 Donruss baseball card is none other than the prized Mike Trout X-fractor rookie /50. Trout is widely considered the best baseball player of this generation and his iconic rookie cards from all years and sets hold a legendary status. This scarce X-fractor parallel out of Donruss sold for an unbelievable $500 raw or a mindblowing $750 graded gem mint 10. No other modern baseball card commands respect like a Trout rookie, especially in short printed premium parallels. It’s no surprise the X-fractor RC sits atop the value mountain for this release.
The cream of the crop rookie cards from superstar talents like Rodriguez, Witt Jr., Rutschman, along with short printed parallels and stars of Acuna, Ohtani and Trout (of course) make up the highest sought after pieces from the 2022 Donruss baseball set approaching the end of the year. With another year or playoff performances surely to come, these rookie cards in particular still have plenty of potential to appreciate further. 2022 Donruss etched several new fan-favorite rookies into the hobby.
