Topps’ 2022 Series 1 baseball card release marked the start of the new season and reignited the hobby after months without any new products hitting shelves. As with every new series, collectors rushed to rip packs hoping to pull one of the scarce rookie cards or parallels that could hold immense value in the future. While most cards in the base set sold for under $10, some certainly stood out as being far more valuable. Here are the five most expensive Topps 2022 Series 1 cards as the season got underway based on recent sales data:
Ronald Acuña Jr. Superfractor – $799.99
Pulling the ultra-rare 1/1 Superfractor parallel of any star player would be a monumental hit. Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. remains one of the brightest young talents in baseball when healthy, making his Superfractor one of the crown jewels of the 2022 Series 1 release. This singular Acuña card achieved a winning auction bid of $799.99 on eBay only a couple weeks after release, highlighting collectors’ fascination with obtaining the lone copy in existence of any player’s prized Superfractor. Acuña’s serious knee injury in 2021 dampened his on-field production that season, but hype remains high for his eventual comeback and this 1/1 card allows one lucky collector to own arguably the most sought-after piece from this year’s flagship set so far.
Kenny Cruz Autograph /99 – $499.99
Veteran collectors know that sometimes the biggest future risers aren’t always the stars on opening day. That’s what makes prospect autographs so alluring – you’re taking a chance on a player who may break out. One such occurrence already from 2022 Series 1 involves Detroit Tigers farmhand Kenny Cruz. Signed cards of the speedy 22-year-old outfielder were readily available for under $50 upon release. Interest grew as Cruz’s skills were on display in the minors, driving his autographed Parallel /99 from the base set all the way up to a winning auction of $499.99. With star potential and a short printed parallel, Cruz’s signature captured lightning in a bottle as a long-term hold with his prospect status still rising.
Shohei Ohtani Yellow Parallel /2022 – $499.99
No player captivates the baseball world’s attention quite like two-way Japanese star Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels. His unprecedented abilities at the plate and on the mound make any Ohtani card a hot commodity. A short printed yellow parallel version of his 2022 Series 1 base card listing at /2022 copies popped up and sold for $499.99 on auction. While not quite the rarity of an autograph or 1/1 parallel, collectors jumped at the chance to own an investment-worthy low-numbered parallel of the unstoppable AL MVP, justifying a lofty half-a-grand price tag.
Wander Franco Green Shimmer Parallel /99 – $349.99
Widely considered the top prospect in baseball before making his MLB debut in 2021, Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco has lived up to the hype so far with his elite all-around play. Naturally, any scarce parallel of the 21-year-old phenom spikes in value. One such occasion from the 2022 Series 1 release involved a green shimmer parallel listing at /99 copies. This flashy parallel artwork captured in the limelight for a winning bid of $349.99. With Franco projected to be a perennial All-Star and remain with the Rays long-term, cards like this poised to be a steady riser for patient collectors.
Riley Greene Rainbow Foil Autograph/75 – $279.99
Detroit Tigers outfielder prospect Riley Greene burst onto the scene in 2022 with a huge start to his rookie season after being selected 5th overall in the 2019 draft. Amongst the rising prices for Greene rookies across the hobby, perhaps no card gained value quite like his autographed rainbow foil parallel from Series 1. Printed to just 75 copies, this eye-catching signature card shot up from its initial distribution price point to a lofty $279.99 winning auction price. With his five-tool game continuing to shine for the Tigers, collectors saw Greene’s rainbow foil as a future blue-chip, rationalizing an almost $300 price for this short printed auto less than two months after its issue.
In summary, Topps’ flagship 2022 Series 1 release kicked off what’s shaping up to be another vintage season of the hobby. As always happens with new issues, a select few cards immediately gained major value due to their rarity involving superlative parallels, autographs of rising stars, or captivating dominant veterans. With the summer heating up trade and waiver wire activity, rookie call-ups, and postseason races, Series 1 cards profiled here look primed to attract even more collector fervor and command higher prices as the campaign unfolds. The hunt is always on to uncover the next lucrative gems before they emerge from fleeting bargain status into prized crown jewels of collections.
