The 2022 Topps Baseball card set is one of the most anticipated releases each year. As the longest running and most iconic brand in the hobby, Topps always delivers fantastic rookies, stars, and parallels in their standard release. This year’s checklist has a little something for everyone and offers collectors a chance to build their PC with the latest crop of rising talents.
The 2022 Topps base set consists of 330 cards as usual. This includes all 30 MLB teams with player photos and franchise logos. The design is clean and classic with a subtle pinstripe pattern. Some notable regular inclusions are rookie cards for Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Torkelson, Julio Rodriguez, and many others. Established names like Shohei Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., Ronald Acuña Jr. and others lead the way. Parallels of the base cards include Gold (#/2021), Silver Pack (#/70), Rainbow Foil (1/1), and Black (1/1).
The Topps Chrome update brings glossy, refracted versions of the base cards along with additional parallels like Negative, Prismatic, and Refractors. Top Prospects are also included as Chrome cards spotlighting the best up-and-coming players. Topps also has large team sets dividing cards by franchise for those wanting a PC of a specific club.
Topps Allen & Ginter features players alongside non-sports subjects in a fun, eclectic checklist. This year includes cards mixing in artists, landmarks, foods and more. Parallels range from Rainbow to Gold to Black. The retro design always captures the nostalgic vintage baseball card aesthetic.
Topps Heritage returns with a throwback look celebrating the classic cardboard of the past. Players are depicted in vintage uniforms against a wood panel background. Rookies and stars are showcased alongside special parallels. Heritage High Number expands the set later in the year too.
Topps Archives pays tribute to iconic retired players, managers, and past designs. This year honors Hank Aaron with a special photo and career highlights card. Other legends and past Topps sets from the 50s-90s are recreated with care and detail. Parallels include Gold, Silver, and Black.
Topps Transcendent takes collecting to new heights with exquisite 1/1 cards. This year’s checklist features pieces of uniform or equipment embedded within astonishing works of art. Accompanied certificates of authenticity, these one-of-a-kind treasures are truly museum-worthy.
Topps Finest uses high-end photography and technology to create dazzling refractors. The checklist has base cards and parallels like Negative, Prismatic, and Rainbow Foil. Finest First Edition offers a super-short printed exclusive preview of the full set.
Topps Series 1 is the flagship release launching the new season each spring. This year’s checklist led with the highly anticipated rookie cards of Witt, Torkelson, Rodriguez and more. Parallels span from Gold, Silver, and Rainbow Foil. Special short prints and photo variations added to the chase.
Topps Series 2 followed in the summer continuing player and team coverage. Additional rookies emerged like Oneil Cruz and more parallels were introduced. The Allen & Ginter-style B&W Photo Variations parallel became a huge hit.
Topps Update arrives each fall with players who debuted after the initial Series 1/2 releases. Impact rookies like Seiya Suzuki got their first Topps cards here. Parallels like Negative, Prismatic and 1/1 Black parallel took collector’s chase to new heights.
Topps Tribute paid homage to all-time greats with retro-style career highlights cards for legends like Mariano Rivera. Parallel options included Gold, Silver and Black.
Topps Project 70 took the hobby by storm with dazzling 1/1 cards featuring patches, autographs and more for stars like Ohtani and Acuna. Each piece was a true work of art accompanied by COA.
Topps Transcendent Auto Radiance took the high-end 1/1 game to a whole new level. Embedded autographs and game-used memorabilia were crafted into stunning works of art rarely seen in the hobby before.
In addition to the core Topps releases, licensed products included Topps Now for real-time highlights cards, Topps Opening Day starting lineups, and Topps WWE Crossover mixing baseball with wrestling stars. Digital platforms featured Topps Bunt, Huddles, and Topps Apps for on-the-go collecting too.
As the 2022 season comes to a close, Topps remains the most comprehensive brand for capturing all the year’s top rookies, stars, and moments. With such a massive checklist across various tiers, there is truly something for everyone from new collectors to seasoned veterans. The 2023 season can’t come soon enough to see what Topps has in store next. Their innovation and classics will surely make for another exciting year in the hobby.
