2026 Topps Series 1 Early Rookie Card Predictions

[JAM061200]

Originally Posted by premium1981

Series 2 could get Murakami too after he signs with the Dodgers this winter. He will be a HUGE chase if he comes over and does even halfway decent.

Next year should be a very good card season. Maybe Topps Chrome can redeem itself next year after this year's flop. Should be a hell of a checklist seeing Topps Chrome combines Series 1 and Series 2. They really need to cut down on the parallels though in that release. Every unnumbered parallel is nearly worthless with the amount Fanatics produces of each player. They need to make getting a parallel special that way the card can have some kind of value.

[premium1981]

Originally Posted by JAM061200

Next year should be a very good card season. Maybe Topps Chrome can redeem itself next year after this year's flop. Should be a hell of a checklist seeing Topps Chrome combines Series 1 and Series 2. They really need to cut down on the parallels though in that release. Every unnumbered parallel is nearly worthless with the amount Fanatics produces of each player. They need to make getting a parallel special that way the card can have some kind of value.

They have to have the piles of parallel's or people would complain about buying boxes with nothing but base cards. Its a catch 22. Here are the options:

1) Make it like they did 5-10 years ago. Smaller print run and no bloated parallel list. Before it even releases, the prices of box/cases would quadruple in price. It would soar to levels we have never seen for Topps Chrome before and no one would be able to afford it. Demand would be too high.

2) Keep the current print run to meet demand, but dial back on parallel's making them rare again. Result? No one wants to open it because its so boring and the good cards are too hard to hit. The product tanks and even at cheaper prices you still don't want to open it because its mostly just base cards in a box and maybe one parallel.

3) Keep the current print run and create new parallels. In order to maintain any type of fun with the box breaks, they have to create new parallel's and lots of them. The print run is too high to not do that.

Demand is just too high. So you have to choose between those three options:

1) Insane prices that makes current prices look cheap.
2) Cheap boxes that no one wants.
3) Meet in the middle.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by premium1981

Series 2 could get Murakami too after he signs with the Dodgers this winter. He will be a HUGE chase if he comes over and does even halfway decent.

I'm sure there will be an SP in S1 as well.

[Jaypers]

You can add the minor league strikeout leader Jonah Tong.

[ThoseBackPages]

To THE MOON!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JAM061200]

Jonah Tong and Peyton Tolle added. I'll add anymore through August 31st. We know Topps may take some of these guys for 2026 Series 2 but I'm still on the side that sees about 85-90% of this list in Series 1.

[parkerj33]

Originally Posted by premium1981

They have to have the piles of parallel's or people would complain about buying boxes with nothing but base cards. Its a catch 22. Here are the options:

1) Make it like they did 5-10 years ago. Smaller print run and no bloated parallel list. Before it even releases, the prices of box/cases would quadruple in price. It would soar to levels we have never seen for Topps Chrome before and no one would be able to afford it. Demand would be too high.

2) Keep the current print run to meet demand, but dial back on parallel's making them rare again. Result? No one wants to open it because its so boring and the good cards are too hard to hit. The product tanks and even at cheaper prices you still don't want to open it because its mostly just base cards in a box and maybe one parallel.

3) Keep the current print run and create new parallels. In order to maintain any type of fun with the box breaks, they have to create new parallel's and lots of them. The print run is too high to not do that.

Demand is just too high. So you have to choose between those three options:

1) Insane prices that makes current prices look cheap.
2) Cheap boxes that no one wants.
3) Meet in the middle.

This is such a valid post. Seriously, what would you do if you were in charge of fanatics? I think this lays out the challenges. Demand is high. You either add parallels to add some semblance of value or you reduce production which means you increase costs and likely even increase demand.

They are far from obligated to ensure there is any secondary value to a box. It’s supposed to be about collecting not reselling for profit. The fact that we can and do sometimes is really awesome. (And I’m saying this as someone who DOES do this).


Edited to add: that reducing production and increasing demand doesn’t do anything good for fanatics bottom line. It only helps resellers or flippers of their products.

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[JAM061200]

Jimmy Crooks added and has homered already.

[Jaypers]

You can add Sal Stewart.

[Jaypers]

Add Carter Jensen.

[cbeauch87]

2026 rookie class is gonna go crazy


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[JAM061200]

Originally Posted by Jaypers

Add Carter Jensen.

Both added. Thanks Jaypers! These 2 should be it for the potential to be in Series 1. What a list!!! I’m sure they’ll incorporate some of these guys into Series 2, but DAMN!!!! I stand by 85-90% of this list is in Series 1!! Going to be a great kickoff to 2026!!

[JAM061200]

UpdateD the main list. Series 1 will be a MONSTER!! We know it'll be overprinted because it's Series 1 but a MONSTER nonetheless. Series 2 is OK led by Bryce Eldridge and Trey Yesavage. Best to purchase singles for that Series IMO.

2026 Topps Chrome will be a JUGGERNAUT!!

[rwperu34]

Originally Posted by JAM061200

UpdateD the main list. Series 1 will be a MONSTER!! We know it'll be overprinted because it's Series 1 but a MONSTER nonetheless. Series 2 is OK led by Bryce Eldridge and Trey Yesavage. Best to purchase singles for that Series IMO.

2026 Topps Chrome will be a JUGGERNAUT!!

Oh crap. Here come the brios references.

[JAM061200]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

Oh crap. Here come the brios references.

Don't know who Brios is or care to. This release will be AWESOME!

[StlBen]

I'm glad you are excited. I do think the 2026 class looks better than 2025...but so far not seeing anything close to 2024.

[JAM061200]

Originally Posted by StlBen

I'm glad you are excited. I do think the 2026 class looks better than 2025...but so far not seeing anything close to 2024.

2024 is a great release but with the amount of above average to great prospects in 2026, this should be an awesome one as well.

[Bradley5280]

Originally Posted by JAM061200

2024 is a great release but with the amount of above average to great prospects in 2026, this should be an awesome one as well.

Interesting take, I would recommend going back and looking at the entire 2024 rookie class. It’s above and beyond the predicted 2026 and it’s not even remotely close whatsoever IMO.

[JAM061200]

Originally Posted by Bradley5280

Interesting take, I would recommend going back and looking at the entire 2024 rookie class. It’s above and beyond the predicted 2026 and it’s not even remotely close whatsoever IMO.

Don't get me wrong. the 2024 Topps RC class was absolutely stellar!! I'm talking about the TRUE RC's in 2024 Update. Now my speculation for 2026 Series 1 is that the RC class in that release will be close to that level. It all matters in performance right? Looking back at the Gold Standard TRUE RC Class (NOT RC DEBUTS) of 2024 Update, who really lived up to the hype in year 2 (2025)? PCA, Skenes, Chourio with honorable mentions to Andy Pages, Langford, and Barger. Everyone else was subpar. So again, it all matters in performance. Let's see how the RC class of Series 1 performs in 2026. They all could flop and we're right back where we started. Or they can excel due to the prospect pedigree they all posses. Same goes for the 2024 Update Class in their Year 3. My point is the name value in 2026 Series 1 is right up there with 2024 Update and that's my opinion.

[StlBen]

I’m guessing series 2 or update will surpass Series 1. If JJ and Konnor break camp with the team they would make series 2 surpass series 1. Imo


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[corockies]

At the pace Fanatics / Topps is producing product (including adding more basketball, then football, UFC, and entertainment), we can expect a series 1 release date being the first week of June? The crap keeps getting deeper...

[JAM061200]

Originally Posted by StlBen

I’m guessing series 2 or update will surpass Series 1. If JJ and Konnor break camp with the team they would make series 2 surpass series 1. Imo


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I don't think Series 2 will pass Series 1 and depending on who gets the call at the start of the season until May 31st will determine who's in Update. So Konnor, JJ and McGonigle may be your best bets for Update. If you tack on 4 or 5 more top end prospects to these guys, then Update should pass Series 1 in popularity. Not to mention the significant print run decrease in Update will help too.

[StlBen]

Originally Posted by corockies

At the pace Fanatics / Topps is producing product (including adding more basketball, then football, UFC, and entertainment), we can expect a series 1 release date being the first week of June? The crap keeps getting deeper...

Series one will be in Feb. It won’t move. They are already starting to tease it.


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[rwperu34]

Originally Posted by StlBen

Series one will be in April. It won’t move. They are already starting to tease it.


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It used to be in February.

[StlBen]

Sorry I mistyped...it will be feb...it won't move..they are already showing us the box