The hobby of collecting baseball cards saw huge growth in 2022. Fueled by the excitement of young stars and nostalgia for legends of the game, trading cards reached new heights in both popularity and value. While rookies like Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt Jr. captivated fans with their play, vintage cards from icons like Mickey Mantle and Mike Trout continued appreciating significantly in the collectibles market.
Among the most noteworthy risers in 2022 were cards from this year’s rookie class. Seattle Mariners centerfielder Julio Rodriguez had one of the finest debut seasons in recent memory. Slashing .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases, Rodriguez established himself as an early AL MVP candidate and superstar in the making. His 2021 Bowman Chrome Prospects Autographed Refractor card skyrocketed in value, averaging over $2000 by season’s end compared to just a few hundred dollars at the start of the year. Fellow rookie pitcher Spencer Strider also saw huge spikes for his 2021 Bowman Chrome Autograph card after a breakout season with the Atlanta Braves that saw him establish himself as one of baseball’s top young hurlers.
Mike Trout remained the unquestioned king as far as active player cards. Long considered the best all-around player of his generation, Trout cemented his Hall of Fame case with another superb season at the plate for the Los Angeles Angels in 2022. His already astronomically valuable 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor RC, which check in at over $400,000 last year, likely climbed even higher. Trout rookie and prospect cards across all issues remain must-owns for any serious collector. Fellow superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. also enjoyed stable demand despite some off-field issues, keeping his high-end cards in five-figure territory.
Veteran stars chasing career milestones also saw collectibles upticks. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols inched ever closer to 700 career home runs this season, driving interest in his already rare 2001 Bowman Chrome RC among the six-figure club. Future Hall of Famer Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees eclipsed 60 home runs for the first time, ensuring that copies of his 2007 Topps Chrome RC will remain four-figure holdings. Los Angeles Dodgers veteran Clayton Kershaw remained one of the game’s most accomplished left-handed pitchers of all-time, making cards from his rookie year like the 2006 Topps Chrome Refractor a steady blue-chip asset.
Perhaps no player captivated the collectibles community more in 2022 than Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham. After slapping San Diego Padres star slugger Jake Cronenworth over a gambling dispute just before Opening Day, interest in Pham rookies skyrocketed. His 2010 Topps Chrome RC and 2014 Bowman Chrome Autograph cards saw some of the greatest year-over-year percentage increases industrywide. While controversial, Pham mania highlighted how off-field storylines can propel even non-superstar players from a decade ago into the radar.
The golden age of 1990s cards continued surging as well. Rookies of future legends like Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, and Derek Jeter remained invaluable centerpieces of collections. A PSA 10 1998 Bowman’s Best Refractor Chipper Jones RC sold for a record $360,000 in June, showing no signs of decline. High-grade vintage from the same decade also saw stable demand. A PSA 8 1995 Finest Refractor Mike Piazza RC traded hands for over $33,000. Mint condition copies of 1960s and 1970s stars were similarly in high demand. A PSA 8 1973 Topps Nolan Ryan RC hit six figures, while several eight-figure sales of iconic Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron pieces were completed.
Looking ahead to 2023, cards of young talents like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuna Jr., Wander Franco and more are poised to climb if those players continue developing into superstars. Rookie issues of 2022 first-year players like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Spencer Strider figure to remain hot commodities as well if those players establish themselves. With evolving enthusiasm from collectors both casual and dedicated, the baseball cards market shows no signs of slowing despite economic uncertainty. Star power, legends of the game, and compelling storylines will surely uncover new gems and reinforce classics in the year to come.
