The 2020 Topps Chrome Baseball card set was released on August 5, 2020 and distributed by The Topps Company. As the premier chrome parallel release each year from Topps, the 2020 Topps Chrome set features refractors and parallels of players from the 2020 regular Topps Baseball set. Chrome cards have become highly sought after by collectors due to their stunning photorealistic images and ability to “hit” rare parallel variations in limited print runs. With its current player market and never-ending nostalgia for the past, the baseball card hobby remains as vibrant as ever. Let’s take a closer look at what collectors can expect to find in the 2020 Topps Chrome set.
The base 2020 Topps Chrome set contains 264 cards and follows the same base card checklist as the flagship Topps release from earlier in the year. This includes rookie cards, stars of both past and present, team cards and more. What sets Chrome apart is the inclusion of “Chrome Refractors” which feature high-gloss, laser-cut edges that create a dazzling refraction effect when held to the light. The refractors pull images straight from the base cards but add an eye-catching modernized flair that collectors love. Numbered parallels like Gold /50 and Black /10 are also found throughout the set at greatly reduced print runs for enhanced scarcity.
Perhaps the biggest draw of 2020 Topps Chrome is the chase for short printed rookie refractors of emerging young stars. Names like Gavin Lux, Luis Robert, and Devin Williams are some of the most sought-after first Chrome issues to find. Lux and Robert enjoyed breakout rookie campaigns in 2020 that have only amplified collector demand for their freshman Cards. Meanwhile, flamethrower Devin Williams exploded onto the scene out of the Brewers bullpen with an electric 53% strikeout rate as a rookie reliever. His card prices have seen a sharp rise as a result. Other key rookie refractors include Jesus Luzardo, Dylan Carlson and Nico Hoerner among many others.
Beyond the base set, Topps Chrome also offers several exciting parallel insert sets at varying scarcity levels. The Fire parallels feature a textured foil design and are limited to only /99 copies each. Meanwhile, the Sapphire parallel reaches an extreme rarity of /10 copies. Lower numbered parallels command huge premiums online. Topps also introduced some fun new insert sets exclusively to Chrome like World Series Highlights (/50), League Leaders (/50), and a special 65th Anniversary subset. Veteran star refractors of Mike Trout, Christian Yelich and others remain fan favorites despite high prices.
Another unique aspect of Topps Chrome is the prospect of unannounced bonus parallel variations that are virtually impossible to predict. In years past, “1/1” printing plates, logo man parallels, and ultra-rare Blue Refractors have popped up seemingly at random much to the delight of lucky collectors. The unexpected nature of these bonuses keeps the hobby exciting. Case breaks, where collectors can spend hundreds or thousands chasing the next big hit, remain a premier way to collect high-end Chrome cards.
The release of 2020 Topps Chrome came at an unprecedented time as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the baseball season and collecting community. While production and distribution faced difficulties, the hype and demand for Chrome did not waver. In fact, with more people enjoying the hobby at home, interest may have increased. Ebay sales data shows the set remained one of Topps’ most successful modern issues based on aftermarket prices. Future star rookies held value especially well and short prints maintained or grew in value given restricted supply.
Looking ahead, 2021 Topps Chrome is sure to build on this momentum as fans and collectors eagerly await the rookie class headlined by prospects like Wander Franco. The pandemic may continue to cause ripples, but the nostalgia and artistic appeal of Topps Chrome Endures. As a premier modern release year after year, it’s easy to see why the brand remains the pinnacle achievement for collectors chasing baseball’s latest dazzling stars in high-gloss style. Whether on the sidelines or in living rooms, Chrome keeps fueling baseball fandom one refractor at a time.
