
As the 2021 season reaches its later stages, it is time for the Topps 2022 Series 1 review. Next year’s release brings a new iteration of Topps flagship release. It includes a fresh new design and a strong rookie class to boot.
We expect 2022 Topps to be released on February 9th, 2022.
After the news that Fanatics is taking over the production of licensed baseball cards starting in 2025, we know that this is one of the last releases of the flagship series in its traditional format. That makes this set an essential element in the Topps legacy.
After a very busy design in 2021, Topps is rolling with a more minimal design similar to recent Bowman designs. The borders maintain the spirit of the 2021 flagship, with a full border around the card.
Topps has removed all of the diagonals that plagued the 2021 design and made the nameplate significantly easier to read. All relevant information about a player can be found clearly at the bottom of the card, with the rookie card designation in the top right.
The bottom left is occupied by a partial baseball that connects to the team-colored border around the action shot. Unfortunately, Topps has not revealed the back of the card yet, so we will have to wait before forming opinions. Nonetheless, the reaction by collectors has mainly been positive.
The Bowman-inspired design for Topps 2022 Flagship is getting a good reaction so far (picture from Blowout Forums).
The checklist for Series 1 will include 330 players, as it did last year. Series 2 will have the exact same number of base cards. That is down from 350 in 2020.
Here is the full base checklist:
The base cards for 2022 Topps come in diverse parallels, with 16 available. In addition, jumbo boxes, hobby boxes, and retail packs all have exclusive versions.
Gold Foil parallels will be limited to jumbo boxes. Meanwhile, the black parallels will be limited to both jumbo and hobby boxes. There is also a partial parallel, which is Clear. Clear will be available for 100 cards in the set and is exclusive to hobby boxes. Finally, the Royal Blue parallel will be exclusive to retail packs.
Printing Plate inserts are 1/1 (get Cody Bellinger Printing Plates inserts on eBay).
2022 Topps has a slew of inserts highlighting everything from custom cleats to the hottest upcoming stars. Diamond Greats features 25 baseball legends on a unique shaped card. Flashiest Feet will show off some of the best custom cleats in the game, while Turnin’ Two focuses on the best shortstop and 2nd baseman duos.
Topps also revisits the best offensive players of the 2021 season, with 2021’s Greatest Hits. Welcome to the Show looks at some of the best standouts in MLB history and uses their rookie photos. Meanwhile, Generation Now features the younger stars of the game.
The tradition of revisiting years in Topps’s past continues as they revisit the 1987 Topps design. This insert will be available in the parallels below, as well as a 1/1 Wood parallel. Each insert here will have five parallels, as well as some autographs available.
Two inserts will be available exclusive to retail packs. These are Stars of MLB and the Chrome Stars of MLB, which are both in 1:10 packs. They visit some of the biggest stars in baseball today.
Stars of MLB
Stars of MLB Chrome
A brand new insert is coming with 2022 Topps, Salute to The Mick. It will be found in Series 1, Series 2, and Update and include nine cards. As you might guess, this insert celebrates the immortal Mickey Mantle.
Topps flagship series features a slew of autograph options, including 1987 Topps Baseball Autographs and Baseball Stars Autographs. In addition to those, collectors will also have the chance to get World Series Champion Autographs, (/50) Postseason Performance Autographs, (/50) Major League Material Autographs, (/50) and Baseball Stars Dual Autographs. (/5)
Each autograph insert has a few parallels available, which are listed below.
1987 Topps Baseball Autographs
Flagship hobby boxes contain platinum 1/1 autos (get Kyle Lewis autos on eBay).
Baseball Stars Autographs
World Series Champion Autographs
Postseason Performance Autographs
Major League Material Autographs
Relics and Sketch Cards
Relics and memorabilia inserts are available as stand-alone inserts or as variations to some listed above. World Series Champion and Postseason Performance both have October-themed relics and autographed memorabilia cards, available /99 and /50, respectively. 1987 Topps Baseball will also have relics.
Major League Material is a more generic insert with lots of room for memorabilia. In The Name Relics will be exclusive to hobby boxes and feature nameplate letters. A few manufactured relics will also be in 2022 Topps, MLB Medallions, and City Flag Patch.
Sketch cards will be in both hobby and hobby jumbo packs. These cards will all be one of one, as they each feature a unique drawing on them. Also exclusive to the hobby and hobby jumbo packs are the Topps Reverence insert, which will have autographs and patch swatches.
Relic Parallel
World Series Champion Relics
Postseason Performance Relics
1987 Topps Baseball Relics
Major League Material Relics
MLB Logo Medallion
City Flag Patch
World Series Champion Auto Relic
Postseason Performance Auto Relic
Major League Material Auto
Major League Material has produced some beautiful cards in the past (look for Luis Robert patch cards on eBay).
Topps Reverence Auto Patch
The silver packs promotion continues with 2022 Topps. Each hobby box is guaranteed to have one silver pack, while jumbo boxes contain two. In addition, the packs include exclusive Topps Chrome cards. If past years are any indication, expect the Chrome inserts to feature the 1987 Topps design.
Topps will release the 2022 flagship series in all the traditional and time-tested formats. Here are the relevant details.
Hobby Jumbo Box
Hobby Box
Blasters
Hangers
Fat Packs
Retail Box
While last year’s rookie class was slightly lacking, 2022 Topps seems to be a significantly stronger class. 2022 is headlined by rookie Wander Franco, who was confirmed as a rookie when Topps revealed the design for the release. But what other youngsters, like Adley Rutschman and Jarred Kelenic, will be joining Franco in 2022?
It seems likely that Jarred Kelnic will be in the 2021 Topps Update release, not joining Franco in 2022. Jarred made his MLB debut almost an entire month before Wander, on May 13th. Number one prospect Adley Rutschman has not made his debut yet, but I anticipate it being in time for 2022 Topps thanks to his age and lofty ranking. Julio Rodriguez, currently the number two prospect, is less of a guarantee. Rodriguez has limited professional experience in his career, and the Mariners have said they want to take their time with him.
Rutschman and Franco have been at the top of the baseball prospect heap for several years now, so their rookie cards will headline this class. Julio is still a toss-up, but he may well make his debut in time for 2022 Topps. Younger prospects like Julio have shown to be capable of excelling in the MLB in recent years. From Trout’s early call-up to Wander’s excellent campaign, examples abound.
Let’s take a look at the value of unopened wax from recent years of Topps Series 1. First, here are some recent sales for blaster boxes
2018 Blasters | $49.99 |
2019 Blasters | $38.99 |
2020 Blasters | $31.75 |
2021 Blasters | $49.95 |
Blaster box prices remain pretty consistent, with minimal change year to year. This seems to be due to a plentiful supply of blaster boxes. Next up are hobby boxes.
2018 Hobby | $160 |
2019 Hobby | $86.50 |
2020 Hobby | $175 |
2021 Hobby | $118.50 |
As you can see, hobby boxes are not going to be worth it every year. However, 2022 looks like it will be worth more than 2021, based on the strength of the rookie class alone. Therefore, expect it to hold value on the level of the 2020 boxes instead of the lower 2019 value.
The 2018 Series 1 hobby boxes have maintained value better than most (get 2018 flagship hobby boxes on eBay).
2022 Topps is an exciting release. Topps made significant strides in terms of its cards design. As a result, the 20222 release looks like it will hold up nicely from an aesthetic perspective.
Overall, the value of rookies tends to be the most significant factor when it comes to the price of a set. Therefore, this seems like a good release to invest in with a star-studded rookie class like this one. Despite missing out on having Jared Kellenic in 2022, Franco, Rutschman, and possibly Julio Rodriguez will be able to carry the class and make this a memorable year for Topps flagship.
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