The 2022 Topps baseball card set was released in January and features some extremely valuable rookie cards and parallels that are already being snapped up by collectors. While the true long term value of any single in this massive 792-card release remains to be seen, certain rookies and rare pulled parallels have commanded huge prices at auction sites like eBay in the short time since the set debuted.
One of the most desired rookies is Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. The 21-year old Franco had a breakout 2021 season and is considered a future superstar in the making. His base Topps rookie card (#331) has sold for well over $100 raw and PSA 10 gem mint examples have crossed $1,000 already. An even rarer red parallel (/150) popped on eBay for nearly $4,000. Franco’s autograph card (#333) from Topps Series 1 is also valuable, with PSA 10’s listed for over $3,000. Collectors are betting big that Franco becomes a perennial All-Star and hopes his rookie cards appreciate significantly in value like those of stars like Mike Trout, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto have in recent years.
Another highly sought after rookie is Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez. The two-time All-Star was traded from the Cubs in the offseason and is looking to rebound from a down 2021. His Topps base rookie (#316) has sold for around $50 while the green parallel (/2021) reached nearly $300. Báez’s auto (#318) fetched over $500. There’s optimism around his potential resurgence that could fuel future growth in the value of his rookie cards, especially if he manages to put together an MVP quality season in 2022.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez has also created buzz with collectors. Though he only made his MLB debut in late 2021, Rodríguez flashed five-tool star potential and is ranked as one of baseball’s top prospects. As a result, demand has been high for his Topps rookie card (#327), with PSA 10 examples changing hands for $150-200 already. An orange parallel (/2021) sold for $700 while higher end autographs and rare parallels could be true gems long term if Rodríguez develops into the superstar many scouts forecast.
In addition to the top rookie cards, collectors are chasing after short printed parallels and serial numbered inserts that provide a level of exclusivity and scarcity. For example, Topps gold parallels are limited to only /70 copies worldwide. Early gold pulls of veterans like Mike Trout (#75), Ronald Acuña Jr (#235), and Shohei Ohtani (#438) have topped $500-1000 already. Even rarer red parallels numbered to /25 are commanding astronomical sums, like a red Acuña that brought nearly $4,000.
Serial numbered inserts like Topps Chrome are also drawing intense bidding wars. The coveted base #/99 insert of star rookie catching prospect Adley Rutschman pulled $600 raw while a #/10 parallel eclipse $2,000. Numbered parallels of Franchise Four legends like Mickey Mantle (#39), Hank Aaron (#118), and Ted Williams (#276) have topped $1,000 each as well due to their extremely limited supply.
While it’s still early, veteran stars Shohei Ohtani and Fernando Tatis Jr also seem poised to have valuable cards rise to prominence this year. An Ohtani orange parallel numbered to /2022 recently sold for over $800, betting on another huge season from the two-way phenom. And red foil parallels of rising Padres star Tatis have changed hands for $400-500 with optimism about a Tatis return to his 2020 MVP caliber form.
The 2022 Topps release is poised to produce a new generation of valuable modern baseball cards headlined by premiere rookies like Franco, Rodríguez, and Báez. But collectors should also keep a close eye on scarce parallels, inserts, and stars with breakout potential that could yield huge long term appreciation with the test of time. With the massive size of the flagship set and variety of parallel options, there remains hidden gems still waiting to be unearthed in wax boxes and packs throughout the upcoming season.
