2022 Topps Chrome Update Baseball Cards
The 2022 Topps Chrome Update baseball card set is the latest edition in Topps’ popular Chrome Update series. As with previous years, the 2022 Topps Chrome Update set was released in late September/early October and features rookie cards, variations, and inserts of players from the current MLB season. Let’s take a deeper look at what collectors can expect to find in packs and boxes of the 2022 Topps Chrome Update baseball cards.
2022 Topps Chrome Update Base Cards
At the core of the set are the 2022 Topps Chrome Update base cards. Like the standard Topps flagship base cards, each team is represented with a roster of around 25 players. What sets the Chrome cards apart is their shiny refractors design. Printed on chrome-infused cardboard, each base card has a slick, mirror-like surface that makes the photos really pop. The end result is a very flashy and eye-catching look that has made Topps Chrome a fan favorite over the years. In total, there are around 660 base cards in the 2022 Topps Chrome Update set when you count variations.
Rookie Cards and Prospects
As always, one of the main attractions of Topps Chrome Update are the rookie cards it features for players who made their MLB debuts throughout the current season. Some of the top rookies found as rookie cards in 2022 Topps Chrome Update include catcher Adley Rutschman (Orioles), outfielder Julio Rodriguez (Mariners), and pitcher George Kirby (Mariners). The set also includes prospect cards for minor leaguers expected to debut in 2023 or later, such as catcher Gabriel Moreno (Blue Jays) and pitcher Emerson Hancock (Mariners). These rookie and prospect cards are highly sought after by collectors looking to get in early on the next generation of baseball stars.
Parallels and Inserts
Part of what makes Topps Chrome Update an exciting rip for collectors are the various parallels and inserts mixed into packs and boxes. When it comes to parallels, the main variations in 2022 Topps Chrome Update include the standard Refractors, Printing Plates, Negative Refractors, and Superfractors. On the insert side, collectors can find Short Prints, Autographs, Memorabilia Cards, and Retired Player Cards. Two of the insert sets to watch for are ‘Top Chrome Prospects’, highlighting up-and-coming minor leaguers, and ‘Topps Now’ moments cards capturing iconic MLB performances from the current season. Parallels and inserts add numerous chase cards that increase the hobby’s excitement and long-term collectibility.
Box/Pack Configuration and Release Date
Like previous years, the 2022 Topps Chrome Update release consists of both loose packs and factory-sealed boxes. Individual packs contain either 8 or 12 cards and retail for around $5-6 each. As for boxes, the standard release is a 24-pack box with an MSRP of $120. Hobby shops and online breakers may offer other break configurations as well. The official release date for 2022 Topps Chrome Update was September 28th, with products beginning to arrive at retailers in the following weeks. Due to high demand, boxes and blasters sold out quickly at many locations. As a result, it may take some hunting to track down unopened 2022 Topps Chrome Update product as the release cycle continues into late 2022.
Secondary Market and Investments
For collectors unable to find 2022 Topps Chrome Update packs and boxes at retail, the secondary market provides another avenue. Within days of the official release, individual cards and unopened wax began showing up on eBay with asking prices well above MSRP. This is typical, as savvy collectors and investors scoop up desirable rookies, parallels and other chase cards to hold long-term. Over the years, Topps Chrome Update has proven to be one of the safest modern baseball card investments. Rookies that pan out can appreciate significantly in value down the road. Even base cards from stars’ early seasons tend to hold steady or increase in price annually. For those with the budget, 2022 Topps Chrome Update provides another opportunity to potentially profit from short and long-term holdings within the current crop of MLB talent.
The 2022 Topps Chrome Update baseball card release delivers another exciting installment in one of the hobby’s premier modern sets. With its flashy refractors design, star rookies and prospects, and various chase inserts, Topps Chrome Update continues to be a smash hit with collectors both young and old. Whether collecting for the love of the players and sport or as a potential investment, 2022 Topps Chrome Update offers something for all baseball card enthusiasts.
