The 2020 Topps Baseball Series 2 release packed an exciting collection of standout rookie cards and veteran stars. While Series 1 brought many of the top rookies from 2019 like Pete Alonso and Fernando Tatis Jr., Series 2 continued to shine the spotlight on emerging young talent while also paying homage to living legends of the game. With hundreds of cards across base, foil, autographed and memorabilia variations, it’s impossible to highlight every single memorable inclusion. Here are some of the most notable rookies, parallels and special card hits that collectors sought after from the 2020 Topps Baseball Series 2 release.
Luis Robert (RC-87) – Arguably the top rookie card in the entire series, Luis Robert had a monster 2019 minor league campaign that translated to widespread hype entering the 2020 season. Although injuries limited his MLB playing time, Robert showcased elite five-tool abilities when on the field to solidify his status as a future superstar. His Base RC is a must-have for any collection.
Gavin Lux (RC-97) – After rising through the Dodgers system quickly, Gavin Lux received a September call-up in 2019 and took the league by storm. His blend of patience and power at the plate excited Dodger fans for the future. Lux entered 2020 as one of the most coveted sophomore rookies.
Dylan Carlson (RC-107) – One of the prized prospects in the Cardinals deep farm system, Dylan Carlson got his first extended look in the majors in 2020 and impressed with his all-around skillset. While not a true rookie in 2021, his flashy RC from Series 2 still carries significance.
Sean Murphy (RC-126) – Sean Murphy exploded onto the scene with the A’s in 2019, showcasing phenomenal defense and solid hitting ability behind the plate. Despite offensive struggles in his first full MLB campaign, Murphy remains a cornerstone for Oakland moving forward.
Deivi Garcia (RC-141) – Widely considered the ace of the Yankees pitching prospect pipeline, Deivi Garcia had a breakout 2019 and earned a cup of coffee in the Bronx in 2020. At only 21 years old, Garcia possesses pinpoint control and a deep arsenal to dominate for years.
Nico Hoerner (RC-167) – Although he made his MLB debut in 2019, 2020 was Hoerner’s first full season with the Cubs. The slick-fielding middle infielder boosts above-average contact skills and baseball smarts at the plate to be an everyday player.
Luis Patino (RC-191) – The final prized arm acquired by the Padres in the Blake Snell trade, Luis Patino has electric stuff and projectability on his slender 6’2 frame. Still just 21, he tantalizes with frontline starter upside.
Matt Manning (RC-213) – With Casey Mize now in the majors, Matt Manning took over as the top arm in Detroit’s farm system. At 6’6 with a power sinker and plus secondary offerings, Manning has ace potential if he stays healthy.
The 2020 Topps Series 2 release also delivered a head-turning array of parallels and specialty inserts focusing on star veterans. Some highlights include:
Mike Trout Rainbow Foil Variations – As one of the set’s central focuses, Topps loaded Trout’s base card with prized parallel versions including Orange /299, Red /50 and Blue /5 among others. These parallel finishes became Holy Grail chase cards.
Christian Yelich Pink Parallel /2020 – Topps commemorated Yelich’s 2018 and 2019 MVP campaigns with this scarce pink parallel limited to only 2020 copies, capturing the subtle brilliance of his career seasons.
Ronald Acuna Jr. Green Auto /150 – One of the most exciting young talents in the game, Acuna’s on-card autograph in this parallel positioned it as an instant hit for Braves fans and collectors alike.
Jacob deGrom Green Shimmer /99 – Following back-to-back Cy Young wins, deGrom has cemented himself as the game’s most dominant starter. His shimmer parallel magnified the rarity.
Mookie Betts Rainbow Foil “Hitting Streak” – This insert celebrated Mookie’s height of an 18-game hitting streak during his MVP-caliber 2018 season with the Red Sox before his trade to the Dodgers.
Yadier Molina Gold “Yadi Fan Club” /70 – A fun tribute to the legendary Cardinals catcher and his devoted fan base, this exclusive parallel captured Yadi’s immense importance to St. Louis.
Ken Griffey Jr. “The Kid” Blue Parallel /107 – Honoring one of the sport’s all-time greats and most charismatic superstars, this scarce parallel pulled from Griffey’s iconic number elicited strong collectors.
Willie Mays Rainbow Foil “Say Hey Kid” – A fitting inclusion for the 90th anniversary of Topps baseball cards, this insert paid tribute to one of the pioneers of the company’s legacy in the game – Willie Mays.
In addition to the standout hits highlighted above, Topps Baseball Series 2 offered a strong assortment of themes, parallels and inserts capturing the dynamic stars, franchises and eras that make collecting baseball cards a cherished hobby. Whether targeting key rookies with future potential or commemorating living legends through scarce memorabilia cards, Topps once again delivered an outstanding sophomore series to their 2020 baseball release. Series 2 became a highly anticipated release that leaves many excited for what’s to come in future sets to expand collections of America’s favorite pastime on cardboard.
