Topps Chrome is one of the most popular and highly anticipated card insert sets released each year by Topps. The 2020 Topps Chrome Baseball cards continue the tradition of featuring stunning refractors and parallels inserts of today’s top MLB stars. This modern card set is a favorite among collectors both old and new due to its flashy design and use of vibrant chrome technology.
Released in late July/early August each year as a complement to the flagship Topps base set, Topps Chrome cards feature the same core design and photography but with an added flair. Each standard card is coated with a semi-transparent chrome film that gives them an eye-catching glow and sheen when held to the light. This distinctive chrome treatment has become synonymous with the brand and is a major factor in the set’s widespread popularity.
The 2020 Topps Chrome Baseball release encompasses images from the entire 2019 MLB season and postseason. Like the base Topps set it draws from, the Chrome set contains cards numbered from 1-620 featuring all major league players, managers, coaches and umpires. Parallels and special numbered refractors/variations push the total issued card count well past 1000 cards. Most collectors consider the standard chrome base cards to be the premier “rookie cards” for first-year players in that yearly set.
Topps Chrome packs and boxes have been flying off the shelves even during the challenges of 2020. With sports card collecting booming, this insert set has garnered immense attention. Early internet buzz suggested the 2020 checklist and parallels would be extraordinary. As the full details emerged, those predictions proved accurate. Topps Chrome delivered another standout year of designs, young rising stars, and coveted refractors for all 30 MLB franchises.
Some of the top rookies highlighted in the 2020 Topps Chrome set include newly christened superstars such as Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Pete Alonso in their second MLB seasons. But the true breakout rookies this year garnering significant “bonus” prices for their Topps Chrome cards are players like Gavin Lux, Jesus Luzardo, and Dylan Carlson who made their MLB debuts in 2020. Other notable rookies include Nate Pearson, Alec Bohm, and Carter Kieboom.
Along with the standard base cards, Topps Chrome 2020 packs and boxes contain a variety of parallel and special insert variations that increase the excitement of each pull. The most common parallels include the popular green refractor (#/150), gold refractor (#/2021), and rainbow foil (/2021). More elusive variations include the red refractor (#/25), blue refractor (#/5) and the ultra-rare 1-of-1 black autograph parallel. The red and blue parallels especially command huge premiums when they feature star players in their prime or budding superstars.
Beyond the base and parallel Chrome cards, Topps inserts several special sets within each year. Arguably the most popular among those in 2020 are the Archives Set capturing highlights from baseball history. Another standout is the eagerly awaited Topps Chrome Update set released each August/September which shifts the player images to action shots dressed in their team’s uniforms. The update set also debuts cards of players traded midseason or promoted from the minors late in the year. These inserted special sets add another layer of collection and trade potential to each release.
Some key strategies for building a Topps Chrome 2020 collection include pre-ordering boxes or cases from your local card shop to receive the full assortment of parallels. Many collectors like peeling each pack themselves while also retaining valuable sealed boxes for possible future trade or resale. It can also be smart to buy factory sealed cases ensuring no tampering occurred. For singles, focusing on key rookies, stars and parallels leads to potentially strong short and long-term appreciation. Overall, Topps Chrome continues cementing itself as one of the most collectible and investible baseball card properties year after year.
The 2020 Topps Chrome Baseball card set delivered another exceptional year for fans and collectors of the sport and modern card hobby. Featuring coveted rookie cards, stunning refractors and inserts with new technology, each release extends the passionate following for this iconic insert series. With its steady appreciation over time, Topps Chrome establishes itself as a smart long term collectible proven to hold value. This modern gem marrying flashy chrome aesthetics and beloved players makes it easy to see why it remains a commercial and artistic success for Topps each summer.
