The year 2022 saw another banner year for the baseball card hobby, with rookie cards of burgeoning stars shattering records and new investments capturing collector attention. With young stars like Shohei Ohtani reaching new heights on the field and cards from legendary players like Mike Trout and Fernando Tatis Jr. holding strong values, the vintage and modern card markets remained hot. Here’s a look at some of the most noteworthy baseball cards and stories from the past year:
Shohei Ohtani 2021 Topps Chrome Superfractor Auto (#’d /10)
Arguably the most coveted card of 2022 was the Shohei Ohtani 2021 Topps Chrome Superfractor autographed refractor parallel, limited to only 10 copies worldwide. Ohtani cemented his status as one of the game’s brightest stars by putting together an unprecedented two-way season in 2021 as a dominant pitcher and power hitter. His Topps Chrome Supers are considered the crème de la crème of modern cards, and PSA Gem Mint 10 examples sold for upwards of $900,000 on the secondary market. Even low-graded versions in the $150,000 range changed hands frequently. It’s doubtful we’ll ever see a card capture more attention during a single year.
Mike Trout 2009 Topps Rookie Card
While you’d be hard pressed to find an affordable Mike Trout rookie in 2022, his debut 2009 Topps card had a monster year and further solidified itself as one of the all-time iconic rookie cards. PSA 10 Gems crossed the $400,000 threshold while even low-grade examples still demanded five figures due to Trout’s status as perhaps the best active player. It’s a testament to howTrout has maintained elite collector value throughout his career despite several injuries slowing him down of late.
Fernando Tatis Jr. 2019 Topps Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Patch #’d /99
The 22-year old Tatis burst onto the scene in 2019 and hasn’t slowed down, establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier stars and budding superstars. His rookie cards popped accordingly, led by low-serial numbered variations like his 2019 Topps Bowman Chrome auto patch parallel which was numbered to just 99 copies. High-grade versions cleared $100,000 as Tatis’ on-field MVP caliber performances raise hopes that his career may someday be mentioned alongside legends like Trout.
Wander Franco 2020 Bowman Chrome Superfractor Auto #’d /5
Touted as the best prospect in baseball, Wander Franco lived up to the hype by posting an incredible .288/.347/.462 slash line as a 20-year old in his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. The crown jewel of his collection remains his 2020 Bowman Chrome Superfractor autograph, limited to an ultra-exclusive run of just five copies. One example surfaced in a Goldin Auctions sale with a $397,000 final bid, making it one of the costliest non-Trout or Ohtani cards ever. Franco looks poised for superstardom.
Tim Anderson 2021 Topps Finest First Autograph Refractor #’d /5
While not a true “rookie” card, shortstop Tim Anderson’s extremely limited 2021 Topps Finest First autograph Refractor parallel captivated collectors in 2022. The Chicago White Sox star had a career year in 2021 and won the AL batting title, and the low-pop Finest First Refractors caught fire with the No. 2 serial numbered version trading hands for $180,000 in a PWCC marketplace deal. With so few available, these ultra-premium Anderson autographs give collectors a rare modern piece.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor #’d /25
After a breakout 2021 season that saw him claim the AL batting title and emerge as a true superstar, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s prospects cards like his 2018 Bowman Chrome auto refractor parallel achieved new heights. Numbered out of just 25 copies, PSA 10 examples changed hands for north of $30,000 as Guerrero mania took hold. He’s rapidly joining the ranks of the game’s true elite, and collectors recognize his cards as blue-chip holdings.
Ronald Acuña Jr. 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto Refractor #’d /25
Aca 2018 tear cut short due to injury, fellow young superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. still commanded strong prices for early prospects autos like his coveted 2018 Bowman Chrome Refractor. Numbered to 25 copies, high-grade versions trade hands at prices competitive with Guerrero Jr.’s, suggesting Acuña’s star power endures despite missing time. If he can stay healthy going forward, his cards may regain an edge as one of the must-own young star assets.
So in summary, 2022 highlighted the enduring value of true generational talents like Trout and emerging kings like Ohtani, Tatis Jr., Guerrero Jr. and Acuña Jr. It’s an exciting time for the hobby with so much young star power taking the mantle. Prospect hounds also profited handsomely on prescient bets like Wander Franco and Tim Anderson. With another wave of phenoms on the horizon like Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt Jr., the future remains bright for the baseball card collecting world.
