Panini Absolute Baseball is one of the most coveted and valuable baseball card releases each year. The 2021 version was no exception, featuring some of the biggest young stars and veteran superstars across vivid acetate cards. With the 2022 season now underway, anticipation is high for what panini will deliver in their next Absolute release later this year. Here’s a closer look at some of the cards collectors will be chasing.
Shohei Ohtani remains the biggest star in baseball and one of the faces of the sport globally. His talents as both an ace pitcher and fearsome power hitter make him must-watch every time he steps on the field. An Ohtani autographed card or memorabilia card in Absolute would undoubtedly be one of the top pulls. His scarcity in high-end products means any of his cards command big money. Even a simple base Ohtani Absolute card would excite collectors.
Last year’s rookie class was one of the best seen in decades. Cards of playoffs stars like Trevor Story, Jonathan India, and Randy Arozarena all held great value in 2021 Absolute. This year’s focus will likely be on Seattle’s breakout star Julio Rodriguez. The speedster finished second in rookie of the year voting and is already a fan favorite. An autograph or memorabilia card of the budding superstar would be a true chase card for 2022 Absolute collectors.
Two-way stars are all the rage after Ohtani broke the mold. Commanding big dollars in the trade market, Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene is carving out a role both as a flamethrower on the mound and potential middle of the order bat. His tools have drawn comparisons to Ohtani and vintage Nolan Ryan. With the hype around Greene, any of his cards in the next Absolute release would be highly sought after.
Absolute has long featured the game’s elite sluggers in gorgeous detail. Cards of three-true-outcome machines like Aaron Judge, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Juan Soto attract major collectors. An on-card autograph or 1/1 memorabilia patch card of any of these masher’s would be headline cards. Judge is especially enticing after his record-setting 62 home run season. His card values shot through the roof in 2022.
Veteran superstars are no less appealing to collectors with deep pockets either. A signed Mike Trout card for example would command five figures minimum despite nearing a decade in the league now. The same could be said of an autographed card of two-way force Clayton Kershaw, who continues to dominate on the mound well into his 30s. Both players remain among the faces of the league and are proven cards that hold value over time.
Rookies and young stars provide long-term potential upside in their careers ahead. But collectors also flock to cards paying tribute to living legends in their later primes or retired from the game. A Derek Jeter autograph or 1/1 memorabilia card would be a true treasure, as would similar cards for Mariano Rivera, Ken Griffey Jr, or Chipper Jones. Their careers shine bright in baseball history, and collecting their rarer cards connects fans to that nostalgia.
While player cards drive a lot of the hype, Absolute also regularly honors star pitchers with enticing memorabilia cards encompassing meaningful artifacts. Eraser autograph cards pairing a signature swatch with shreds of the actual mound rubber are enormously popular. Imagine versions featuring Clayton Kershaw’s iconic serape or Mariano Rivera’s historic cutter. Patches crafted from historic jerseys also captivate collectors across eras.
Rising stars like Wander Franco continue to excite as well. The 21-year-old slugger is poised for continued dominance in Tampa Bay. Autographed or rare memorabilia cards of the budding superstar would attract serious bids given his immense long-term superstar potential. Much like Acuna and Soto before, Franco has established himself as must-watch TV early and a true blue chip for investors.
Then of course there’s the thrill of the spectral 1/1 parallel cards that are practically works of modern art. These singular unique treasures in the series could feature any player mentioned and drive collectors to pursue the elusive white whale until found. A true Ohtani 1/1 would be the stuff of legend. But lower numbered parallels across the biggest names are serious prizes as well.
In the end, Absolute thrives because it combines the biggest stars, finest card designs, and hits at the highest levels of rarity and player-specific memorabilia. While rookies excite for potential, veterans hold value through proven performance. Pitchers also receive their due alongside sluggers. The cards most sought may vary year to year. But those excelling on the field while capturing collectors hearts consistently rise to the top of the 2022 Absolute want lists. The summer hype is just beginning.
