Which 2022 MLB Rookies Will Appear in Topps Chrome?
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MLB rookies are a hot topic for cards this season.
A number of high profile prospects made their MLB debuts (three of the top five from MLB Pipeline, and four of the top 10), including Spencer Torkelson, Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodriguez and C.J. Abrams.
While I don’t know when these rookies will appear in Topps products (although Series 2 is a good guess for flagship), Topps will try to get as many of them into Topps Chrome as it can.
It would save later-season call ups for Topps Chrome Update, a now-useful product since it debuted in 2013.
There’s been plenty of debate on where the early rookies will appear. It makes sense as many collectors don’t know or understand the rules surrounding rookie cards and cut-off dates. It doesn’t help that these date tend to be fluid.
But here’s why we should expect to see them in Chrome:
Topps Chrome is scheduled to release July 27. The timing works in Topps’ favor, giving them enough time to get images of the players and print their cards.
In 2022 Topps Baseball Series 1, there were about 50 players who had an RC logo on their card, including Wander Franco, the biggest draw in the release – and second place isn’t even close. They need more good rookie cards for Chrome.
Note: For the sake of this post, I am not using 2021 Bowman’s Best rookie cards, and speaking of just 2022 products.
While things may have changed from a logistical standpoint over the last two years, I’d be surprised if Topps didn’t plan for several top prospects to make the Opening Day roster.
Notably it happened when Fernando Tatis Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., were on the cusp of making the big club in 2019. Tatis signed his 2019 Topps Chrome cards in February BEFORE he made his MLB debut.
I was at the signing.
While redemptions might — and will likely — be a thing for Chrome, I’d expect to see big names on the checklist like: Bobby Witt Jr., Seiya Suzuki, Steven Kwan, Spencer Torkelson C.J. Abrams, Julio Rodriguez and Hunter Greene.
The rookies who don’t make it into Chrome should appear in Update and Update Chrome. We’ll keep an eye on Topps Now for the RC/Call-Up transition for the cut off.
Topps Chrome will be loaded with major rookie cards … along with plenty of relief pitchers.
And card shops and distributors know it too. A hobby box currently pre-sells for $500 where as a hobby jumbo is pre-selling for $1,000.
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