The 2022 baseball season saw many impressive rookie performances that have already translated to some valuable baseball cards on the hobby market. Rookie cards tend to be some of the most sought-after cards due to their status as a player’s first official card issued by the company and their ability to gain value as a player establishes themselves. Several rookies from 2022 have produced select rookie cards, parallels, and autographs that are highly coveted by collectors.
Perhaps the most renowned rookie on the baseball card market from this past season is Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. Rodriguez had a phenomenal debut campaign that saw him hit 28 home runs and drive in 75 runs while also stealing 25 bases. This two-way impact immediately put him on the map as a likely future star. Rodriguez’s primary Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card has already jumped up over the $500 mark and is an anchor card for any collection. His autograph and memorabilia cards have also enjoyed strong command in the auction market. Rodriguez’s talent and two-sport background playing professional baseball and football make him one of the most hyped young players, translating to significant card value.
Another notable rookie hitter is Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II. Harris established himself as a regular in the Braves outfield and hit 19 home runs while batting .297 over his first full MLB season. This performance helped the Braves win the NL East and cemented Harris as a core piece of their future. Topps Chrome rookie refractors of Harris have eclipsed the $100 mark and his signed cards consistently attract bids well above issue price. Harris is an exciting young player on a perennial contender, setting the stage for his cards to rise even more if he continues developing.
On the pitching side, Houston Astros starter Justin Verlander put together one of the most legendary comeback seasons in 2022 after missing two years due to injury. While no longer a rookie, Verlander regained his elite form and won the AL Cy Young award. This resurgence made his 2022 Topps Chrome Update rookie refractor rocket up over the $500 range, reflecting his re-established status among the game’s best. Catcher Adley Rutschman made his debut with the Baltimore Orioles after years of being heralded as the top prospect in baseball. While Rutschman did not post gaudy stats, his Topps Chrome Update rookie refractor crossed $100 as collectors showed excitement for his future.
Moving beyond base rookies, parallel and autograph cards featuring top rookies this year have also gained traction. Perhaps the prized parallel is Julio Rodriguez’s Topps Chrome Superfractor, numbered to only five copies in existence. Unsurprisingly, each Superfractor that has surfaced has fetched bids north of $10,000 due to their ultra-rare 1-of-5 print runs. On the autograph front, Rodriguez himself has signed several prized releases, like Topps Fire red auto patches and Bowman’s Best auto patches that hold values of $1000+. Meanwhile, Harris’ Topps Fire red auto patches and Bowman Sterling silver auto patches have attained prices around $500 each. These limited parallel and autographed inserts showcase collector demand when coupling top rookies with scarce parallel serial numbers or on-card autographs.
Notably, several 2022 rookies have also produced 1-of-1 printing plate autographs that are true one-of-a-kind relics. In June, a Rodriguez Topps Fire red printing plate auto sold for $23,400 through an online auction house. Then in September, a Riley Greene Bowman Chrome Superfractor printing plate shattered records, moving for over $100,000. These unprecedented seven-figure sales demonstrate the intense fervor surrounding rookie superstars and their most exclusive memorabilia cards approaching the pinnacle of hobby rarities. Plates autographed by elite prospects like Greene and Rodriguez are the rarest of the rare finds.
Looking ahead, the sustained productions and team successes of stars like Julio Rodriguez, Michael Harris II, and other 2022 standouts bode well for the long-term outlook of their rookie cards. So long as these players continue developing, card values are likely to appreciate over years as they cement all-star and hall of fame caliber careers. The select parallels and autographs from 2022 offerings provide a special layer of scarcity that should preserve premiums. This rookie class offers a fantastic investment opportunity for savvy collectors pursuing the cards of future dominant players still in their early careers. How the trajectories of this year’s top rookies unfold will undoubtedly shape the baseball card market for many years to come.
