The 2020 Topps Baseball card set is one of the most anticipated releases each year. As baseball fans eagerly count down the days until the official release date to begin collecting the new year’s cards, they also start researching what players and items will be included. This year’s Topps offering features a varied checklist full of rookies, veterans, stars and iconic moments from the 2019 MLB season.
With 792 total base cards in the 2020 Topps set, the checklist has room for players from all 30 teams. Some notable veterans who are mainstays in the set each year include stars like Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and more. Topps also highlights the best rookies and prospects from 2019 with prominent placement in the checklist. Players like Pete Alonso, who smashed 53 home runs to set a new rookie record, get front-and-center showcase cards that are highly sought after.
Beyond the base checklist, Topps packs also contain numerous parallels, inserts and specialty cards to round out the set. Some popular inserts include Topps’ “Now” cards that feature timely highlights from the current season. “Heritage” brings retro designs paying homage to the early years of the brand. “1956” uses a throwback vertical photo format. “Photo Variations” alter the image on certain popular cards for collectors. “Wall of Fame” honors baseball legends of the past.
Topps also spotlights special events and achievements with inserts like “Opening Day”, “All-Star”, “HR Derby”, “World Series” and others. Numbered parallels can range from the basic “Chrome” refractor to extremely rare 1-of-1 printing plates. Autograph and memorabilia cards provide immense value for hits featuring game-used equipment or signatures from the game’s greats. There is truly something in the 2020 checklist to excite fans of every era and play style.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the highlights in the 2020 Topps base checklist:
Pete Alonso (New York Mets) – The rookie home run king gets prominent placement with the #1 card in the set. His rookie season will be remembered for years to come.
Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels) – Currently baseball’s best all-around player appears somewhere in the first 10 cards each year. His star power continues to shine.
Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers) – After back-to-back MVP seasons, Yelich remains one of the faces of the game.
Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles Dodgers) – The 2019 NL MVP gets recognition amongst the early premium cards in the checklist.
Mookie Betts (Boston Red Sox) – One of the sport’s brightest stars before being traded to the Dodgers midseason.
Nolan Arenado (Colorado Rockies) – A perennial Gold Glove winner and slugger poised for another big year.
Francisco Lindor (Cleveland Indians) – A do-it-all shortstop with endless potential and personality.
Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves) – Already one of baseball’s best at only 21 years old entering 2020.
Juan Soto (Washington Nationals) – At just 20, Soto helped the Nats win the World Series and has a massive future ahead.
Pete Alonso (New York Mets) – Topps highlights breakout slugger Alonso multiple times after his rookie phenom season.
Beyond these headlining stars, the 2020 Topps base set aims to represent all 30 clubs with young core players, veteran leaders and anyone who had a notable 2019 season. Parallels, inserts and variations will add excitement for collector chases throughout the year.
With the official release date coming in late March or early April, anticipation is high to see what the Topps designers have come up with for packaging, parallels and special cards in 2020. Whether seeking rookie gems, chasing nostalgic inserts or simply completing the base set, the Topps checklist as always has something for every baseball fan to enjoy. This checklist may lack definitive numbers yet, but the abundant star power and prospects featured make it must-have product for collectors both casual and die-hard alike. The 2020 Topps Baseball release is sure to be a thrilling continuation of cardboard history.
