Are you interested in learning what the top 2022 graded sports cards to buy are? The sports trading card industry has grown substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with sports cards reaching unprecedented levels. Despite the sports card market cooling off in recent months due to current economic uncertainty, one category continues to thrive: high-end sports cards.
Using BTC’s trailblazing Sports Card Price App to analyze and uncover recent trends in the sports card market, we’ve identified the best 2022 graded sports cards to buy.
Julio Rodriguez (shop eBay)
2019 Bowman Chrome Julio Rodriguez Prospect Autographs Red Shimmer Refractors Rookie Card /5 #CPAJRO
Julio Rodriguez had a slow start to his rookie campaign, registering a .206/284./.260 slash line with just four extra-base hits, zero home runs, and six RBIs across his first 20 career MLB games. Since, Rodriguez has been arguably the most dominant hitter in baseball, recording 18 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases in his past 76 contests.
Although just a rookie, sports card collectors have taken notice as Rodriguez has quickly emerged as a budding superstar for the Seattle Mariners, earning his first All-Star Game selection and becoming the favorite to win the American League Rookie of the Year.
As such, one of our best 2022 graded sports cards to buy is none other than Julio Rodriguez’s 1st Edition 2019 Bowman(eBay) Chrome Prospect Autographs Red Shimmer Refractors card. Serial-numbered to five copies, Julio’s Red Shimmer Refractor rookie card has a total BGS population of five, with none graded by PSA. Four of the five graded copies merited a BGS 9.5, while one card obtained a BGS 7.
With Julio Rodriguez emerging as a five-tool generational talent, his 1st Edition 2019 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Red Shimmer Refractors rookie card is our top sports card investment of 2022.
Tom Brady
2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady(eBay) Championship Ticket Autograph Rookie Card /100 #144 (Shop eBay)
Drafted in the 6th round as the 199th selection of the 2000 NFL Draft, Tom Brady’s improbable path to NFL stardom is well-documented, from his 5.28-second 40-yard dash to capturing the most Super Bowl victories of all time with seven.
Arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history, Brady’s rookie cards are unsurprisingly among the most valuable cards in the hobby, with his 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Autograph rookie card in a league of its own.
Brady’s 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Autograph rookie card is serial-numbered to 100 copies and regularly fetches seven figures. Brady’s coveted rookie card has a PSA population of 13 and a BGS population of 81, bearing in mind some cards may be subject to crossover grading.
In essence, Brady’s 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Autograph rookie card offers football card collectors a rare opportunity to own one of the most commendable cards in the hobby.
Bill Russell (shop eBay)
1957 Topps Bill Russell Rookie Card #77 (Shop eBay)
To commemorate the passing of NBA legend, civil rights activist, and the unparalleled legacy of Boston Celtics Center Bill Russell, let’s examine the selflessness of one of NBA’s greatest and most revered players in league history and the unparalleled value of his sports cards.
In December 2021, Bill Russell auctioned off his private collection of memorabilia he acquired throughout his 13-year NBA playing career and lifetime accomplishments, with proceeds donated to MENTOR, a non-profit organization aspiring to make career development effortless and accessible.
One of the items being auctioned was his PSA 7 1957 Topps(eBay) rookie card, which conveyed $76,375 during the live auction at the renowned TD Garden, where Russell captured 11 NBA titles in 13 NBA seasons.
Bill Russell’s 1957 Topps rookie card has a total PSA population of 1,057. Although 51 cards are graded higher than Russell’s PSA 7 from his private collection, currently listed for $165,000, it may be one of his most cherished unless a PSA 10 is obtained, currently with a population of zero.
