The 2019 Topps complete baseball card set was released in March 2019 and consisted of several hundred base cards spanning all 30 Major League Baseball teams. As with most modern Topps flagship releases, the 2019 set focused on providing collectors with updated photos and stats for players from the previous season while also including rookie cards and parallel inserts to chase. Some additional details on the makeup and key cards from the 2019 Topps complete set:
The base card checklist included over 700 total players and managers. The base cards featured modern design aesthetics with team color accent borders and simplified fonts/layouts compared to sets from previous decades. Photo quality and stat accuracy were Topps’ main priorities for the base cards rather than innovative designs or bonuses. Ranges of player autographs, memorabilia cards, and parallels could be pulled in factory sets and hobby boxes to incentivize collectors.
Some notable rookies featured in the 2019 Topps set included Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr, Shane Bieber, and Franchy Cordero. These players all broke into the Majors strong in 2018 and their rookie cards were highly sought after by collectors. Soto’s /199 Blue Refractor Parallel RC ended up being one of the most valuable cards from the entire release due to his early success in Washington.
Topps also incorporated a variety of parallels and shortprinted cards into the base checklist to add chase and unpredictability for collectors. There were Gold Foil Parallels (#/2018), Rainbow Foil Parallels (#/150), Sapphire Foil Parallels (#/75), and Red Foil Parallels (#/25) among others inserted throughout packs and boxes. Shortprints like Juan Soto (#/102) added scarcity. Memorabilia cards featuring swatches and autographs of current stars like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Kris Bryant provided high-end hits.
Beyond the base set, Topps included multiple popular insert sets within the 2019 release. The Heritage Minor League set paid tribute to baseball’s past with retro-styled cards of top prospects. Top Prospects cards highlighted can’t-miss rookies. All-Time Fan Favorites showed older beloved players in new photos. Flashback Friday cards paid homage to iconic players and moments from years past. World Baseball Classic cards captured international stars and tournaments. These inserts added variety and collecting themes beyond just base cards.
Topps also incorporated specialty parallel sets within factories and hobby boxes to drive interest. The “Topps Chrome” refractors were hugely popular, featuring colorful foil refractor variants of the base cards. The “Topps NOW” program allowed select recently notable MLB performances and milestones to be added to the checklist via special parallel printings. Topps Finest featured lush black-bordered parallels with embossed fronts. These provided rarer high-end alternative versions of core cards for collectors to chase.
As with all Topps flagship releases, the 2019 set also included various insert sets dedicated to special league and awards accomplishments from the previous season. “Awards and Credentials” cards honored award winners and playoff/World Series spots. Traded players received “Cape Cod League” throwback photos. Topps also produced insert sets recognizing All-Star Game starters and Hall of Fame inductees from Cooperstown ceremonies. These provided nostalgia while also commemorating the passing year in baseball.
The 2019 Topps complete set provided the standard modern baseball card experience but with an eye toward celebrating another great season of MLB. Riffing off the huge young star power of players like Acuña Jr., Soto, and Albies – and incorporating popular insert sets, parallels, and specialty hits – ensured many collectors spent 2019 chasing and collecting this set. Years from now, cards from this release featuring 2010s MLB greats will remain a nostalgic reminder of the time period for fans and collectors alike. The release showcased another successful flagship effort from Topps and well represented the 2018 MLB season for collectors.
