The 2018 Topps Chrome Update baseball card set was released by Topps in September 2018 as the latest edition in their popular Chrome Update series. This 270 card parallel set contained new and veteran stars from the 2018 MLB season along with various parallels and inserts. Like previous Chrome Update releases, the 2018 version featured the attractive refractors that collectors love in a set released late in the calendar year to capture any late season performances or playoff appearances. With its mixture of established names and exciting rookies, the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set has proven to be a valuable modern baseball card release for collectors and investors.
One of the top cards in the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set and amongst the most valuable is the prized RCs (Rookie Cards) of superstar rookies. Some of the highest valued RCs include Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto, and Shohei Ohtani. Acuna exploded onto the scene for the Atlanta Braves in 2018, winning Rookie of the Year honors and establishing himself as a true five-tool superstar. His iconic batting stance and electrifying play made him a fan favorite from the start. PSA 10 examples of his chrome RC currently sell for over $500raw online. Fellow 18-year-old Juan Soto had a phenomenal rookie campaign for the Washington Nationals that saw him hit .292 with 22 home runs in only 116 games. The young lefty slugger’s promising future has driven his chrome rookie card prices up, with PSA 10s now approaching $400. Perhaps the most sought-after rookie in the set though remains Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani. In his first MLB season with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani hit .285 while also posting a 3.31 ERA in 51.2 innings pitched. His unprecedented two-way talents have made his cards exceedingly rare and valuable, with a PSA 10 Chrome RC selling for over $1,000. These three rookies alone make the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set one of the most intriguing rookie classes in recent memory from an investment perspective.
Beyond the flashy rookie cards, veterans cards in the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set also boast strong values relative to their production numbers. Hall of Fame talents with lasting popularity and pedigree command top dollar from collectors. For example, a PSA 10 Refractor of Detroit Tigers great Miguel Cabrera sells for around $150 given his Triple Crown and multiple MVP seasons cemented his legacy as one of the best hitters of his generation. A PSA 10 Chrome of Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw, owner of three Cy Young Awards and one of the premier left-handed pitchers ever, fetches $125 due to Kershaw’s sustained excellence and career achievements. Other veteran stars like Mike Trout, Jacob deGrom, and Mookie Betts maintain strong followings as well and their high-grade 2018 Chrome Update cards sell accordingly despite plenty of production over the years. Even veterans on the downside but with iconic careers still pull six-figure prices. A PSA 10 Hank Aaron Chrome Refractor would sell for approximately $400.
Beyond the flagship cards, the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set featured several popular inserts and parallel variants that add significant value and excitement for collectors. The most valuable and sought-after insert is generally considered to be the Base Autographs set, which numbered to only 99 cards and featured signatures from today’s top players. These low-numbered on-card autos make for cherished PC (personal collection) pieces and significant long-term holdings. Examples like a Ronald Acuna Jr. auto or Juan Soto auto in a high grade would sell for $1,000 raw or more depending on the specific player and condition. Other popular inserts include the Mirror Red Refractor parallels limited to 10 copies each. High-grade versions of these 1/1 style parallels for stars can go for thousands. Additional highly regarded parallels include the coveted Gold Refractors /50, Orange Refractors /25, and Blue Refractors /5 which fetch large premiums over the base cards. The assorted variants are what gives Chrome Update its excitement and adds collectibility dimensions beyond the base set alone.
On the whole, the long-term outlook for the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set remains quite strong from an investment perspective due to the star power and pedigrees involved. Headlined by the monster rookie crops and featuring many Hall of Famers and current stars, the set will retain collector demand for years to come. With the hobby booming in popularity in recent years, the heightened competition for iconic modern cards bodes well for maintaining and potentially growing prices long-term. The low production numbers of insert and parallel variations enhance their desirability as well. While short-term fluctuations may occur, high-grade flagship RCs along with key inserts and parallels from the 2018 Topps Chrome Update set project to appreciate at a healthy pace to remain a sound place for collectors to store assets with ties to America’s pastime. The vintage of designs and diverse range of big names makes it one of the stronger releases from the modern era to consider building positions in.
