2022 Topps Heritage Team Set

I decided to give in and just buy the team set here.  I have not had great luck with buying packs of Heritage over the last few years.  I bought the base team set first, then bought the short-prints later.  All of them will be shown here.

1.  Rafael Devers.  Devers was Boston's big power hitter in 2022, hitting 27 home runs and driving in 88 runs.  His numbers could have been higher, but he missed about 20 games and had a bit of a slump due to some nagging injuries.  He hit .295/.358/.521.  Boston better re-sign him.

2.  Nick Pivetta.  I had a feeling Pivetta would start to make some appearances in 2022.  He had a solid 2021 season and made an impact in the postseason.  Pivetta was one of the more consistent starters for Boston in the first half of 2022, but struggled down the stretch.  

3.  Rich Hill.  FINALLY!  Hill was named in four Red Sox With No Cards posts.  He was previously with Boston from 2010-2012 and then again in 2015.  This is his very first card with the Red Sox though.  Sure, it's air-brushed, but still.  I'm just happy to finally add him to the collection.

4.  Alex Verdugo.  Verdugo seemed to find himself in the second half in 2022.  Hopefully he can build on that and finally break out in 2023.  I think he will.

5.  Connor Wong.  Wong is currently ticketed to be the backup catcher in 2023.  He seems to be a pretty good defensive catcher.  Hopefully his bat catches up.

6.  J.D. Martinez.  Martinez struggled greatly at times in 2022.  He ended up with a decent batting line, but he hit just 16 home runs.  Still, he was an All Star.

7.  Enrique Hernandez.  Yet another nice action shot for Hernandez, who seems to have a gift for that.  Hernandez struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in 2022.  Hopefully he is ready to go in 2023.

8.  Jarren Duran.  Duran's defensive struggles became impossible to ignore in 2022 and his development has been stunted.  We will see if he can get going again in the upcoming season.  If he can, his speed will be a welcome addition to the team.  He was third on the team in stolen bases, despite playing just 58 games.

9.  Bobby Dalbec.  Dalbec has hit 45 home runs in his career thus far.  Not bad considering he has played just over two full seasons.

10.  Xander Bogaerts.  Bogaerts's power numbers took a dip in 2022, but he still led the team in WAR.  He improved defensively and had a great batting line.

11.  Matt Barnes.  Barnes is now the longest-tenured member of the team.  Barnes has been with Boston since 2014.  He was drafted in the first round in 2011.  Barnes was an All Star in 2021 when he had a terrific first half as the team's closer.  He has saved 47 games for Boston so far.  He will not be the closer in 2023, but should continue to be a big part of the bullpen.

12.  Enrique Hernandez.  This is a highlight card.  Hernandez had a HUGE postseason for Boston in 2021 hitting five home runs and logging 20 hits.

13.  Nathan Eovaldi.  Yet another member of the 2018 World Championship team that is now gone.  Eovaldi signed a deal with the Rangers this week.  He will always be remembered for pitching six innings in relief in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series and his Wild Card Game mastery over the Yankees in 2021.

14.  Christian Vazquez.  I love the action shot here.  I am still disappointed Boston traded him away and then did not bring him back.  He seemed to love being in Boston.  Players like that should be kept around.

These are the short prints:

15.  Cy Young.  Cy Young's 511 wins will probably never be broken.  He won 192 with Boston, which is tied with Roger Clemens for the all-time team record.

16.  Christian Arroyo.  Arroyo seems to have a lot of talent, but cannot seem to stay on the field.  Since coming to Boston, he has hit .273/.320/.427 with 15 home runs and 69 RBIs.  He can play a number of positions as well.

17.  Travis Shaw.  Shaw made his second stint with Boston in 2021.  His biggest contribution was a walk-off grand slam against the Rangers in his first game back with Boston.