Topps Chrome is one of the most highly anticipated baseball card releases each year from card manufacturer Topps. The 2022 edition was no exception, as the shiny refractors and prospects always make Chrome a favorite among collectors both young and old. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the key things collectors should know about Topps Chrome 2022.
Topps Chrome is known for featuring “refractor” style parallels and inserts that have a shiny, almost holographic look when held at different angles. The base refractors in 2022 Topps Chrome came in the standard silver, gold, black, and orange parallels that collectors expect each year. New this year was the addition of a green refractor parallel, adding another color option for collectors to hunt. As with previous years, the silver refractors were the most common parallel available while the gold, black, and orange grew progressively more rare. The green was even harder to pull than the orange.
When it comes to rookie cards, Topps Chrome is must-have for any collector looking to get cards of the game’s next generation of stars before they break out. Some of the top rookies featured in 2022 Topps Chrome included catcher Adley Rutschman, the top pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and consensus top prospect in baseball. His refractor rookies quickly became hot commodities. Other notable rookies included Bobby Witt Jr, Spencer Torkelson, CJ Abrams, and Julian Merryweather. As many of these young players went on to have strong debut seasons, their Topps Chrome rookie cards grew in value and demand on the secondary market.
Topps is known for loading Chrome with exciting short print and autograph variations that collectors eagerly pursue. In 2022, some of the most popular chase cards included the Rainbow Foil parallel, which featured hyper-refractors of star players on colorful backgrounds. Superfractors, which are 1/1 refractors of the biggest names, are also must-owns. The Red Ice autographs, featuring autographed cards with a red tint, captivated collectors. Numbered parallels like the /75 Golds and /50 Blues were also a big draw. Topps Chrome also has a long tradition of including exciting insert sets focused on themes like All-Star Hits, Hall of Fame, and Top Prospects.
While retail boxes of Topps Chrome are readily available from major hobby shops and online retailers, the product is still considered a high-end release due to its popularity. MSRP for a typical jumbo box containing 24 packs is around $150-200, though resell prices online are often higher due to demand. Savvy collectors know to check sites like eBay for occasional pre-sale listings of unopened wax at lower prices. For those looking for specific rookie cards or parallels, checking the secondary market is usually the best way to acquire desired singles without risking ripping multiple boxes. Prices for star rookies and short prints tend to be highest right after release but stabilize and sometimes decline later in the year if players underperform.
In addition to the base set, Topps Chrome also features extended inserts highlighting star players and teams. In 2022, these included set focused on All-Star performances from Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Mookie Betts among others. Team-specific inserts spotlighted franchises like the Dodgers, Yankees, and Red Sox. Numbered parallels and autographs of these inserts created additional collector demand. The insert sets are a fun way for collectors of specific players or teams to build customized mini-collections in addition to chasing the base refractors.
While the pandemic created supply chain issues impacting many industries, Topps managed to release Topps Chrome on schedule in late summer 2022. This helped maintain the product’s status as a reliable annual release and allowed the hype train to keep rolling for another year of prospect rookies and shiny refractors. Whether collecting for fun or investment, Topps Chrome continues to be a flagship baseball card product that offers something for everyone – from the budget-minded hobbyist to the high-end memorabilia investor. Its popularity is a testament to Topps’ ability to innovate while still honoring the traditions that collectors love. Fans eagerly await what Chrome has in store for 2023 and beyond.
In summary, Topps Chrome 2022 continued the tradition of delivering top prospects, exciting parallels, and short prints that make it a must-have for both new and experienced collectors. While the retail price tag is high, the product offers the thrill of the hunt for flashy refractors, colorful inserts, and potentially valuable rookie cards in every pack. Topps Chrome cemented its status another must-have modern baseball card release and one of the most anticipated products on the annual calendar. Its popularity shows no signs of slowing as collectors remain captivated by the shiny refractors and chase for the biggest rookie cards and serially numbered hits.
