The rookie card class of 2022 features several highly touted prospects that are expected to make their MLB debuts this season. At the top of many lists is Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez. As the number one overall pick in the 2019 draft, Baez lit up the minor leagues and could start the season in Detroit. His autographed rookie cards are already in high demand and expected to increase in value substantially if he finds success at the major league level.
Another prized rookie is Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto. Still only 23 years old, Soto has already established himself as one of the game’s best hitters. He was remarkably overlooked as a prospect coming through the minors. His true rookie cards from 2019 Bowman are quite scarce and have begun a steady increase in value. If Soto continues on his path as a perennial all-star and MVP candidate, his early cards could emerge as the biggest steals in the modern era.
A couple of 2021 draft picks generating a buzz are Jack Leiter and Henry Davis. Leiter was taken second overall by the Texas Rangers and is ranked as one of the highest ceiling pitching prospects in recent memory. He boasts a mid-90s fastball and plus slider. Davis meanwhile was the number one pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates and has 80-grade power at the catching position, which is exceedingly rare. Their respective 2021 Bowman Chrome autographed refractors are likely to become highly valuable rookie cards in the years ahead if they fulfill their potential in the majors.
Veteran stars are always a safe commodity as well. Players like Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., Ronald Acuna Jr. are putting up careers that could land them in the Hall of Fame one day. Their earliest flagship rookie cards from 2017-2018 are considered must-owns. Similarly, rookie cards from stars in their primes like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger will remain at the top of want lists. Even ascending talents like Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. still have unopened products from their early years that could explode in the collector market.
For investors seeking future potential, cards of top prospects like Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City), Riley Greene (Detroit), Julian Merryweather (Toronto), and Brennan Davis (Chicago Cubs) are worth monitoring. All four looked impressive in brief major league cameos in 2021 and many insiders feel they have superstar caliber ability. Their Bowman chrome autographed refractor rookies could stake a claim as the premier rookie investment option this year.
For 2022 the biggest baseball cards to watch are likely the rookie cards of Javier Baez, Jack Leiter, and Henry Davis as they begin their major league careers. Veterans like Ohtani, Tatis, Acuna, Trout remain steadfast blue-chip holdings. Meanwhile names like Witt, Greene, Merryweather and Davis represent intriguing long-shot prospects. As always in the collecting world, pursuing young talent before they hit could yield handsome dividends with career success and appreciation down the road. Staying ahead of the curve defines smart speculation in the modern memorabilia market.
