The 2022 Topps baseball card release saw many rookies and young stars take center stage in what was an exciting year for the sport. As new players emerge and legends of the game retire, each year’s Topps offerings showcase the current landscape of Major League Baseball. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most desirable 2022 Topps baseball cards based on various factors including player performance, rarity, and resale value.
#10 – Ronald Acuña Jr. Black Border Refractor (Topps Chrome)
At just 24 years old, Ronald Acuña Jr. has already established himself as one of the game’s brightest young stars when healthy. Unfortunately, injuries have limited him to just 82 games over the past two seasons. Still, Acuña’s elite five-tool abilities that helped him finish second in 2018 NL Rookie of the Year voting make him one of the most exciting players in baseball. His black border refractor from Topps Chrome underscores his status as a top-tier superstar when on the field. The sharp refractors from Topps Chrome are always popular amongst collectors.
#9 – Juan Soto Rainbow Foil Parallel (Topps Finest)
At just 23 years old, Juan Soto has already accomplished so much in his young career including two All-Star selections and a World Series championship. Regarded as one of the best hitters in baseball today, Soto continues to shine for the Washington Nationals. His rainbow foil parallel from the exclusive 2021 Topps Finest set stands out with its eye-catching colors and textured foil treatment. Soto is a surefire future Hall of Famer and his cards hold tremendous long-term value.
#8 – Julio Rodríguez Gold Refractor Auto (/99 – Topps Chrome)
The 2021 AL Rookie of the Year award winner, Julio Rodríguez immediately burst onto the scene with the Seattle Mariners. The 21-year old outfielder wowed with his incredible speed, defence, and developing power bat. As one of just 99 copies, his flagship Topps Chrome gold refractor autograph provides the coveted on-card signature and elite short-print parallel combination that creates big demand. Rodríguez remains one of the brightest young stars in the game and seems destined for stardom.
#7 – Shohei Ohtani Rainbow Foil (/75 – Topps Finest)
There’s no denying that Shohei Ohtani’s two-way talents as both a pitcher and power hitter make him a true unicorn in the sport. The reigning AL MVP continues to put together one of the greatest individual seasons baseball has ever seen in 2022. As the face of baseball, Ohtani’s cards are incredibly sought after by collectors. His short-printed rainbow foil Topps Finest parallel out of just 75 copies shines with its beauty and rarity. Ohtani is certainly one of the most prized modern player cards on the market today.
#6 – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Gold Refractor Auto (/50 – Topps Chrome)
Emerging as one of the game’s most feared power hitters, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched himself into superstardom in 2021 by winning the AL MVP and batting title. The son of a Hall of Famer has lived up to expectations and more as one of today’s best all-around hitters. Like Rodriguez above, his 50-copy Topps Chrome gold refractor autograph provides unmatched surface and short-print status. Guerrero’s cards routinely pull in big money today and represent a sound long-term hold.
#5 – Mike Trout Pink Refractor Auto (/25 – Topps Chrome)
As the consensus best player of his generation, Mike Trout has built a Hall of Fame resume while still in his prime at just 30 years old. Though injuries have slowed him the past two seasons, Trout remains the face of the Angels franchise and one of baseball’s top stars. His exclusively pink refracted autograph out of a minuscule 25 copies from Topps Chrome commands top dollar and is highly sought after even in PSA 10 condition. Trout is guaranteed to go down as one of the all-time greats, making his cards stellar long-term investments.
#4 – Albert Pujols Blue Refractor Auto (/50 – Topps Finest)
Calling it a career after a legendary 22-year tenure, Albert Pujols closed his career in 2022 as one of the best right-handed hitters in baseball history. The 42-year old slugger walked off into the sunset with over 700 home runs, 2,000 RBI, and three MVP awards to his name. Pujols will certainly make the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, and his exclusive blue refractor auto parallel out of 50 from Topps Finest provides an etched on-card auto from a true living legend. It’s one of Pujols’ most elusive and iconic card signings overall.
#3 – Corey Seager Rainbow Refractor Auto (/25 – Topps Finest)
In his first season with the Rangers after leaving the Dodgers, Corey Seager put any injury concerns in the past by batting .245 with 33 home runs and 98 RBI in 2022. Now 28, Seager is in his prime and coming off a World Series MVP performance in 2020. Few short-prints hold as much visual pop and desirability as Seager’s exclusive Topps Finest rainbow refractor auto out of a tiny 25 copies. With his proven track record already and playing for a big market team, Seager is positioned very well for continued success.
#2 – Aaron Judge Refractors (Topps, Topps Chrome, etc)
After smashing an AL-record 62 home runs in 2022, Aaron Judge had one of the single greatest individual seasons in baseball history. The reigning AL MVP is now a free agent and one of the premier names on the market. His flagship rookie cards from 2014 Topps have skyrocketed into the thousands. But it’s his refractor and parallel cards from 2022 releases that hold the combination of his legendary season along with serial numbered parallels and visually striking refractors that create a perfect storm of demand. Few modern players command more attention than Judge, and rightly so based on his immense talents.
#1 – Mickey Mantle Topps 1952 (#311) PSA 8
Still regarded by many as the single greatest baseball card of all time, high-grade copies of Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Topps rookie card are among the most prized possessions a collector can attain. Regarded as The Mick’s most iconic card image, incredible advances have been made on overall card conditions grades and population reports since the ’90s. A PSA 8 example would have been considered nearly flawless just 30 years ago. Now priced well into the millions, a solid mid-grade Mantle ’52 remains the undisputed crown jewel of any collection and pinnacle of investing in the modern collecting landscape. Over 70 years later, it remains “the card” to this day.
In conclusion, 2022 saw many young stars emerge while legendary faces said goodbye. Topps, as always, was there to chronicle it through their flagship releases. While players and performances will change yearly, certain modern greats like Mantle, Judge and Ohtani are establishing card portfolios that should stand the test of time. For today’s avid collector, chasing the hottest short-prints and parallels from the year’s set remains a fun way to stay engaged with the living history of America’s pastime being told through cardboard.
