Whether you’re a long-time baseball card collector looking to find the next big stars, or a new collector just getting into the hobby, 2022 presents some excellent buying opportunities across both modern and vintage issues. With player performance and the overall baseball card market both very unpredictable right now, doing some research and targeting specific subsets can help maximize your chances of finding cards that hold or increase in value over time.
On the modern side, some of the top rookie cards to target in 2022 include Bobby Witt Jr. cards from Topps Series 1 and Bowman Chrome. Witt had a phenomenal rookie season with the Royals in 2022 and has all the tools to be a perennial All-Star. His cards have already begun appreciating in value and that trend should continue as he establishes himself in the majors. Another young star to watch is Julio Rodriguez of the Mariners. J-Rod took baseball by storm in the second half of 2022 and his Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome rookie refractors from 2021 could pay off handsomely long-term as his career progresses.
Staying in the 2021 rookie class, cards of Shane Baz, Jarred Kelenic, and Bryson Stott are worth adding to your collection if the price is right. All three had disappointing rookie years but still have plenty of upside if they can put it together in 2023 and beyond. The 2016 Topps Update series introduced rookie cards of superstars like Carlos Correa, Corey Seager and Kyle Tucker that can still be found relatively cheaply and offer strong long-term potential.
In terms of veteran studs who continue producing at an elite level, you can’t go wrong owning cards from current and previous series of Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr, Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. While their base rookies are out of most collectors’ price ranges now, their recent inserts, parallels and autographs offer affordable exposure to sure-fire Hall of Famers in the prime of their careers.
Another strong area to focus on is prospects coming off breakout minor league seasons who could make an immediate MLB impact in 2023. One player who fits this bill is Gunnar Henderson, who had a monster .312/.450/.553 slash line between Double and Triple-A in 2022 before a September call up with the Orioles. His 2019 Bowman Chrome and 2020 Bowman Draft Chrome rookie refractor cards still sell relatively inexpensively and could multiply in value if he becomes a star as expected. Other high-ceiling prospects in this range like Oneil Cruz, Bobby Miller and Jackson Holliday offer nice upside for your collection.
Shifting to vintage, the post-war era from the 1950s through the late 1980s hosts several Hall of Famers whose early career RC’s, star rookies and commons have yet to fully appreciate. Players like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Frank Robinson and Reggie Jackson were dominating on the field during formative times for the hobby and their classic Topps, Fleer and Donruss issues can still provide great returns. Even raw commons from the 1970s of George Brett, Mike Schmidt and Nolan Ryan offer opportunities for cost-effective investing in sure thing inductees.
The late 1980s also produced a star-studded rookie class headlined by Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds and Tom Glavine that has aged exceptionally well. Low-numbered Griffey and Bonds rookies remain truly iconic, but there are also bargains to be had in their common 1988 Donruss, Fleer and Score issues which are just hitting their stride value-wise. Younger collectors may also want to target stars of the 1990s like Chipper Jones, Craig Biggio, Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez for long-term potential.
By focusing on current elites continuing to produce, young stars still establishing themselves, top prospects on the cusp of stardom, and undervalued legends of baseball’s earliest decades, your 2022 baseball card purchases can build a collection with something for every interest with eye towards future appreciation. Doing thorough research on each player’s career arc and production, and studying recent sales data to understand fair pricing will help you identify the best modern and vintage buy opportunities to maximize returns from this ever-evolving hobby. With a strategic approach, your baseball card portfolio can grow significantly in value over the years.
