The 2022 Topps Update Baseball set is one of the most anticipated baseball card releases each year. As a sequel to Topps’ flagship Series 1 and Series 2 sets, Update highlights the biggest player moves, rookie debuts, and accomplishments from the current MLB season. This year’s checklist has over 350 cards and includes many of the top rookies and veterans from the 2022 campaign.
Some of the biggest rookie stars featured in 2022 Topps Update include Houston Astros pitcher and AL Rookie of the Year favorite Justin Verlander, Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II, Seattle Mariners rookie sensation Julio Rodriguez, and Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman. All four players had breakout seasons and are poised to be future stars in the league for years to come. Their rookie cards in this set will be highly sought after by collectors.
Veteran players who switched teams over the offseason and had a chance to shine with their new clubs in 2022 also get highlighted. For example, Freddie Freeman received his first Dodgers card after leaving Atlanta in free agency. Similarly, Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson, and Matt Olson all get cards sporting their new uniforms after various trades and signings earlier this year.
The set also recognizes some of the biggest on-field achievements and milestones from the current season. For instance, cards featuring Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, and Yadier Molina pay tribute to these legends surpassing various career hitting and catching records. Rookies like Oneil Cruz and Bobby Witt Jr also get special parallels for their jaw-dropping plays that went viral on social media in 2022.
In addition, Update features “Now Pitching” variations that showcase players who switched to the mound this year, such as Shohei Ohtani getting an Angels two-way player card. There are also “Now Batting” parallels for position players who took the mound, like Astros catcher Martin Maldonado. These unique variations capture some of the most interesting roster moves and role changes across MLB in 2022.
As with past years, Topps also includes “Update Highlights” short prints that commemorate some of the top postseason performances from the 2022 MLB playoffs. Stars like Aaron Judge, Yordan Alvarez, and J.T. Realmuto who shined on the biggest stages when it mattered most will have special playoff highlight cards in low print runs.
In terms of base card designs, 2022 Topps Update continues with a clean and classic look similar to the main Series 1 and Series 2 releases. The front features a large action photo with minimal borders and text. Player names are neatly printed at the top with their team logo below. On the back, stats and career highlights are organized in crisp blocks of text with plenty of whitespace. Parallels also receive fun treatments like gold, silver, and black border-to-border foil patterns that pop on card.
As for chase cards, the set includes several exciting autograph and memorabilia inserts. Top rookies like Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt Jr headline the Topps Autographs selection with low numbered on-card autos. Veterans like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Mookie Betts lead Topps Signature Series inserts that pair swatches with signatures. Topps Relics inserts showcase game-worn memorabilia from star players both past and present.
The 2022 Topps Update Baseball checklist is loaded with the biggest names and top moments from this season. With over 350 base cards and several short prints and hit inserts scattered throughout packs and boxes, it’s easy to see why Update is such an anticipated release each fall. Whether collecting for investment or enjoyment of the hobby, this set is a must-have for any modern baseball card collector. With rookies like Julio Rodriguez primed to be the future faces of MLB, cards from 2022 Topps Update are sure to gain value as their careers progress in the years ahead.
