The 2022 Bowman Baseball release continues to show why prospect collecting is one of the most thrilling things collectors do within the hobby. Bowman baseball cards from this set have delivered amazing returns for those who identified future stars before they made landfall in the big leagues.
Recent auction results are evidence of that, with several cards reaching incredible prices that not many could’ve predicted when they were released just three years ago.
Editor’s Note: The Sports Card Cash-Out System Guide is Now Available!
Top Prospects That Defined the 2022 Bowman Set
According to Sports Illustrated’s Michael Terry, the following five cards have emerged as the crown jewels of this release:
Elly De La Cruz (#CPAED): The Cincinnati Reds shortstop’s Superfractor autograph sold for $360,000 at auction.
Jackson Chourio (#CPAJCO): Milwaukee’s $82 million investment became the youngest player ever to receive that much money before his MLB debut.
James Wood (#CPAJWD): The slugger who headlined the trade package Washington received from San Diego in exchange for Juan Soto earned his first All-Star Game selection in 2025, along with a spot in the Home Run Derby.
Jackson Holliday (#CDAJH): The young Orioles infielder’s Chrome Auto numbered to five fetched nearly $50,000. His Rookie Debut Patch Auto later sold for $198,000.
Jacob Misiorowski (#CDAJMI): Following a dominant MLB debut and quick rise to the top of Milwaukee’s rotation, the hurler’s 1-of-1 Superfractor sold for $52,800.
Elly De La Cruz: The Multi-Tool Phenom Driving Bowman Baseball Cards
De La Cruz is everything collectors dream about when chasing prospect cards. He wasted no time when it came to making his mark in Cincinnati. Already a two-time All-Star, De La Cruz finished eighth in 2024 National League MVP voting after posting a .809 OPS with 25 homers and a league-leading 67 steals.
His combination of power, speed, and defensive versatility has easily made him a player for the Reds to build around, and he still isn’t even 24 years old yet. While his card values have stabilized from their peak, the $360,000 Superfractor sale makes it known that the market believes in what could be an elite ceiling.
What makes De La Cruz particularly fascinating is his immediate impact. Many prospects need an extended period of time to develop in the minors, especially international players signed at 16 or 17 years old. But not him — he catapulted himself through the minors quickly and debuted with Cincy as a 21-year-old during the 2023 season.
Jackson Chourio: The $82 Million Gamble That Paid Off
Chourio’s story blends organizational confidence and individual talent. Milwaukee’s eight-year, $82 million agreement with him before even making his big-league debut signaled their belief that the 20-year-old they just signed had a chance to be special.
His third-place finish in 2024 NL Rookie of the Year voting gives us a glimpse of what he could be capable of moving forward. The Brewers took a chance by investing in a player unproven at the highest level, but they clearly had faith it’d work out. They’re being rewarded for it right now, too.
Despite dealing with some injuries in 2025, Chourio’s combination of athleticism and baseball IQ shows he’s right where he belongs. It’ll be interesting to see what his peak eventually looks like. As it goes for his 2022 Bowman baseball cards, they’re attractive long-term investments given his situation and where he’s at in his career.
The Volatile Nature of Prospect Card Collecting
Misiorowski’s huge price swings perfectly show the rollercoaster ride that prospect investing can be. His PSA 10 First Bowman Auto numbered to 25 had pretty wild valuation swings: $1,100 in May, $11,100 in June, then back down to $7,851 in July.
This highlights both the opportunity and risk that collectors assume with prospect cards. Performance-driven volatility can lead to massive gains for early adopters, but it also exposes people to significant risk. His 81 strikeouts in 60 innings show he has legit talent/swing-and-miss stuff, but the market’s reaction shows how quickly sentiment can shift.
Despite Holliday’s pedigree as the top overall pick, a top prospect, and the son of former All-Star Matt Holliday, the struggles he’s encountered to begin his big-league career are a reminder that even the most promising young players have uncertain futures. There’s still plenty of time for him to get on track (he’s only 21 years old, ya know), and it seems like he’s found a spark down the stretch. He’s slashing .327/.431/.490 during his first 13 games in September (58 plate appearances).
Either way, the 2022 Bowman Baseball release is pretty much a masterclass in prospect evaluation. It also demonstrates how quickly things can change in both directions.
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