2022 Topps Chrome Baseball Cards: A Guide to the Highly Anticipated Release
The 2022 Topps Chrome baseball card set is one of the most anticipated releases of the year, and for good reason. Topps Chrome has become renowned for its stunning photography, vibrant colors, and coveted refractors that make for some of the most valuable modern cards on the hobby. This year’s edition looks to continue that tradition with another loaded checklist of today’s biggest stars. Whether you’re a serious collector, flipper, or just a casual fan, 2022 Topps Chrome is sure to excite. Let’s take a deeper look at what to expect from this highly anticipated release.
The Set Size and Design
The 2022 Topps Chrome baseball card set will feature the standard 260 cards that collectors have come to expect. That includes base cards for all current MLB players as well as prospects, managers, and retired legends. Topps has revealed that this year’s design will stick to the same clean and colorful look that has defined Chrome in recent years. Expect bright photography against a white or gray background with minimal borders and text. Topps Chrome is known for its sharp, high-quality images that really pop – and early previews suggest 2022 will be no exception. As with past years, parallels and short prints will add to the chase.
The Parallels and Short Prints
Topps Chrome parallels are where the real chase cards reside. This year will feature the standard refractors and negative refractors in blue, orange, green, purple, and gold variants. The 1-of-1 Black Gold parallel remains the true Holy Grail. Topps has also teased Superfractors, which feature an extra layer of foil or colors. Another exciting addition is the return of the 1/1 Printing Plates, actual pieces from the printing plates used to produce the cards. Topps Chrome also hides short printed base cards between the #/150 range to keep collectors on their toes. With so many parallel possibilities in each box, there’s endless potential to pull a true gem.
The Rookie Class and Top Prospects
One of the main draws of Topps Chrome each year is the opportunity to land rookie cards of tomorrow’s stars in their flashy debut designs. 2022 has no shortage of blue chip prospects primed to make an impact. Bobby Witt Jr, the #2 overall pick in 2019 and top 3B prospect, is poised for stardom with the Royals. Catching phenom Adley Rutschman should anchor the Orioles rebuild after being selected 1st overall in 2019. Reds 2B Jonathan India, 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, leads another loaded class. Keep an eye out too for stars of the future like the Twins’ Joe Ryan, Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez, and Astros’ Jeremy Pena. Landing their Topps Chrome rookies could pay off big down the road.
Veteran Stars and Hall of Famers
While rookies drive excitement, the veteran stars are what make Topps Chrome a true collector’s set. This year features the usual who’s who of current MLB, including cover athlete Shohei Ohtani of the Angels. Other big names to watch for include superstars Mike Trout, Fernando Tatis Jr, Ronald Acuña Jr, Mookie Betts, Juan Soto and more. Topps Chrome also includes a healthy mix of retired legends and Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux and more. Pulling a 1-of-1 parallel of an all-time great would be a true career highlight for any collector.
Release Date, Products, and Parallels
Topps Chrome baseball cards are scheduled for wide release in late July or early August 2022. Hobby boxes will be the primary retail product, retailing around $90-100 each and containing 18 packs with 5 cards apiece. Jumbo boxes with 36 packs can also be found. For those looking for guaranteed parallels and short prints, hobby-exclusive blaster boxes, fat packs and value packs will offer the best bang for your buck. Online retailers like Steel City Collectibles, Blowout Cards and Dave & Adam’s will also offer generous case and team break options. Be sure to check with your local card shop too, as they may land exclusive parallel redemption sets or special releases.
Investment Potential and Secondary Market Values
With its stunning designs and coveted short prints, Topps Chrome cards have proven to hold their value extremely well in the current trading card market. Base rookie cards for stars like Acuña Jr, Tatis Jr, Soto and others from just a few years ago routinely sell for hundreds on the secondary market. Top refractors and 1-of-1s can fetch thousands or even tens of thousands. The 2022 class has all the tools to follow suit if players like Witt Jr, Rutschman or India emerge as the next generation of stars. Even solid veterans like Trout and Betts see their Topps Chrome rookies and parallels appreciate over time. For serious collectors, Topps Chrome is one of the safest long term investments in the hobby.
Wrapping Up
When it arrives this summer, the 2022 Topps Chrome baseball card set is sure to excite collectors with its stunning photography, coveted short prints, and chance to pull the rookie cards of tomorrow’s MLB stars. Between the allure of the designs, investment potential of key cards, and thrill of the chase for rare parallels, Topps Chrome continues to stand out as one of the most anticipated releases on the annual calendar. With another loaded rookie class and star-studded checklist, this year’s edition looks primed to continue cementing Topps Chrome as a true flagship product and collector favorite for years to come.
