The 2022 Topps Heritage set attracts many collectors with its retro designs that pay homage to classic baseball card designs from the 1950s and 1960s. While most cards in the mainstream set have resale values in the few dollars range, there are always select rookie cards, serially numbered parallels, and short printed inserts that achieve considerable height in value. Here are some of the most valuable 2022 Topps Heritage baseball cards after their initial release earlier this year that collectors should be on the lookout for:
Ronald Acuña Jr. Green Parallel /99 – As one of the best young players in baseball when healthy, Acuña rookie cards from any set hold value. His Heritage green parallel, limited to just 99 copies, fetched over $1000 consistently through the early season. Acuña is working his way back from a torn ACL, so this rare parallel could climb higher if he returns to MVP form next year.
Julio Rodríguez Gold Parallel /10 – The AL Rookie of the Year favorite and emerging superstar Julio Rodríguez did not have an flagship rookie in Topps Series 1 or 2, making his Heritage card all the more desirable among Mariners fans. His /10 gold parallel sold for $2000-3000 each online during Rodríguez’s monster late season performance.
Francisco Álvarez Green Parallel /99 – Considered one of if not the top catching prospect in baseball heading into 2023, Álvarez arrived in the big leagues with the Mets in September and showed why the hype is real. This short printed Mets green parallel moved for $800-1000 each early in the year before his promotion.
Bobby Witt Jr. Green Parallel /99 – Witt became the third overall pick in the 2019 draft and immediately lived up to billing by making his MLB debut with the Royals in 2022. He put together a solid rookie campaign and his rarest Heritage parallel sold for $650-800.
Jeremy Peña Gold Parallel /10 – Peña won the ALCS and World Series MVP awards as a rookie for the champion Astros this Fall. Despite no shortage of parallels in Heritage there remains strong collector demand for his most limited /10 gold parallel at $1000-1200 prices.
Coby Mayo Green Parallel /99 – Mayo was a late riser as one of the best third base prospects in baseball who made his MLB debut with the Reds in September. Fewer than 100 copies of his green parallel remain and it moves hands for $450-600 in light volumes.
Riley Greene Gold Parallel /10 – The No. 5 overall pick from 2019, Greene finally made his long awaited Tigers debut after injury issues delayed his journey. With mega prospect status comes collector interest and his /10 gold parallel moved for $450-600 range.
Spencer Strider Gold Parallel /10 – Strider became a breakout star for the Braves rotation in 2022 with over 200 strikeouts in less than 150 innings as a rookie. His rare Strider parallel traded hands steadily for $350-450 each early on.
Adley Rutschman Gold Parallel /10 – As the #1 overall pick in 2019 and top catching prospect, Rutschman lived up to the hype by making his long-awaited Orioles debut this year. Strong long term demand exists for his scarce Heritage parallel at $400-500 price points.
Oneil Cruz Green Parallel /99 – Cruz possesses arguably the highest ceiling of any prospect in baseball with his immense 6’7″ frame and electric tools. He showed flashes of dominance after a mid-season Pirates call up. His rare parallel realized $350-450 numbers.
While most 2022 Heritage cards hold values of a few dollars or less, look for the rookie cards of emerging young stars like Rodríguez, Witt, Cruz paired with the ultra short printed parallel versions to command 4 and 5 figure values from dedicated collectors down the road. Scarcity will only increase demand over time for these truly rare pieces from the retro styled set that pays homage to the early years of the hobby.
