Hottest Sports Cards Right Now July 2022

The sports card hobby is as exciting as ever with new and new sports card products being released weekly. In addition to new products hitting the shelves at your local sports card stores, the 2022 National Sports Collectors Convention is set to kick off Wednesday July 27^th, 2022, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. As the buzz continues around the hobby, it gives us a chance to look at the hottest sports cards right now July 2022. Check out our 2022 National Sports Collectors Convention preview to learn more about the biggest sports card show there is.

When you are looking for the hottest sports cards right now or the best sports cards to invest in 2022, many elements go into it. Whether you are looking to invest or to just find the best trading cards to collect, you must consider each of these factors. The factors that contribute to the hottest sports cards right now includes recent performance, player news, trades/signings, and upcoming hype of the player. In addition to those factors the card brand such as Topps or Panini can make a major factor as well as the type of card it is. New to the card hobby and want to learn about the different types of sports cards. We have you covered, with our sports card type recap and a look ahead at the August Release Calendar to keep you prepared for the next wave of the hottest sports cards on the market. In addition learn how to apply a DFS approach to your sports card investing approach.

Before we look at the hottest sports cards right now, here is a quick look at the factors that contribute to sports cards being hot or cold.

Factors Impacting Hottest Sports Cards Right Now

Players Performance

One of the biggest driving forces behind which sports cards are hot and which sports cards are cold is the overall performance of the player. A player who is performing at a high level or one that accomplishes a major feat will see their value rise fast and become a hot card on the market. For example, a player who wins the MVP award or a rookie who gets red hot at the plate. While this may not impact all players such as proven veterans such as LeBron James, Mike Trout, and Alex Ovechkin, it can be for a player that is not proven or a rookie. Some if not most of the hottest sports cards right now are of players who are dominating within their sport.

Player News / Team News

Another factor impacting whether a player card is hot or not is any news surrounding the player or team. If a player is returning from an injury, interest in his card may spike whereas as a player who goes down with an injury may see his value drop. This creates the card buzz around that player to either be hot or cold. In addition, team news such as a team member was hurt and lost for the season, or a star player is returning to the lineup could help factor into the buzz around other players.

Player Trade/Signing & Team Trade/Signing

As trades and signings are apart of the game, it also is a key part of the trading card hobby and can play a role in the value of a player’s card. For example, say you have a star player who has not had a ton of star power around him, the team signs another star player. This signing has a direct impact on the player potentially performing at a higher level, and the team performing at a higher level. Championships, MVP’s, and other awards have major impact on sports card values. The same can be said when a team trades for a player.

However, if the player who you are looking to collect is traded, it may come down to where he or she is traded. For example, if player unknown is traded from a small market team such as the Tampa Bay Rays to a team like the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Dodgers, his cards may become hot cards to collect. Whereas a player traded from a large market team to a smaller market, will have less fans collecting that team and potential cool of their sales.

Player Hype & Player Ratings

Any hype that is hitting the news on a specific player can also have a major impact on a cards overall value and if it is hot or not. For example, a player returning from an injury who performs well in training camp or shows up to spring training in better shape. The hype built around their potential season can impact the interest in their sports cards. In addition, when player ratings are released from sites such as PFF or even a game such as Madden Football or NBA 2k. This creates a buzz around the that player and can overflow into sports card investors and sports card collectors.

Team Performance

When a team is performing well, players are performing well and vice versa. The better a team performs the more interest in the players on that team. Such as a team that runs to the Championship such as the Golden State Warriors have done in the NBA over the past 5-8 years. In addition, teams that are expected to perform better, or are performing better will see an increase in production from lesser-known players who can help their card value and interest. Consider looking at teams are trending up before the market turns to those players.

Accolades & New Contracts

Lastly, another factor that impacts whether a sports card is hot or is cold, is if that player wins any type of awards or contests or lands a big-time accolade. For example, a player winning the All-Star MVP, or regular season MVP award. Other examples could be someone who wins the Home Run Derby contest or leads the league in rushing yards. In addition, players joining specific milestones for a specific number of points scored or joining the 500-home run club or 3,000 hit club. Lastly, a player signing a new contract can also help make the buzz around their card soar and land them on the list of the hottest sports cards.

Now that you have had a chance to read about factors impacting the status of sports card, the time is to read about the hottest sports cards right now.

Hottest Sports Cards Right Now July 2022

#1 Hottest Sports Cards Right Now – Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners young All-Star Rookie Center Fielder Julio Rodriguez ranks at the top of the hottest sports cards right now. Rodriguez who is just 21 years old is putting together numbers that warrants the 2022 AL Rookie of the Year Award having 17 homeruns and 53 runs batted in through July 27^th, 2022. In addition, Rodriguez has the Mariners in contention for an AL Wild Card spot. Meanwhile, Rodriguez is coming off a strong performance among the 2022 MLB Home Run Derby.