2024 Topps Update Series: MLB Prospects, Rookie Cards We’re Hunting
When it comes to flagship Topps products, those of the non-Chrome variety are always popular sellers. As the calendar shifts to October, it’s time for 2024 Topps Update Series Baseball, Paul Skenes autographs, Silver Packs, and the return of seasonally-appropriate, Halloween-themed parallels.
Update Series follows February’s release of Topps Series 1 and, more recently, June’s release of Topps Series 2 as the third installment in the flagship line for the 2024 calendar year.
Update Series annually features all of the rookies that debuted since they turned the printers off for Series 2, and, this year that includes:
- Paul Skenes (Pirates)
- Jackson Merrill (Padres)
- Jared Jones (Pirates)
- Wyatt Langford (Rangers)
- Jackson Chourio (Brewers)
While Merrill, Jones, Langford and Chourio were all blessed with their first Topps rookie cards in either Series 2 or Topps Chrome, this will be the first time we see a Skenes rookie card in a flagship Topps product. And, of course, all of your other favorite rookies from 2024 (that were featured in Series 1 and 2) return to the checklist with new photography and the “Rookie Debut” tag as just something more to collect for the diehards out there.
What We’re Hunting
Paul Skenes
One thing all hobbyists will tell you is that pitchers, especially active ones, aren’t highly collectable.
In an era of the game riddled with arm injuries and 200-inning starting pitchers becoming a thing of the past, collectors just don’t see the appeal in investing attention in a position group that lacks durability and longevity. When Paul Skenes was drafted 1-1 last summer, we saw the hobby make a bit of an exception, and with his fast-track to the big leagues and immediate success, the Skenes-hype has only grown for collectors.
Popular MLB ‘Debut Patch’ Chase Returns In 2024 Topps Chrome Update
The chase for Topps’ game-worn Rookie Debut Patch cards is returning, and this year’s checklist has an impressive roster.
Skenes sells—really well-regardless of the brand or the set. That’s a long way of saying Skenes autographs are in Update Series, and it is the first time that his autos are in a flagship Topps product. Get your four-leaf clovers ready, as, outside of his Bowman First auto (trending at $800+), the cardboard he signed for this product will be some of his most desirable. And there’s plenty to go around, as he’s featured in 11 of 17 autograph checklists for the product.
Pull a Skenes and it’s one you’ll want to keep in your personal collection for a long time.
Silver Packs
Silver Packs are always a draw of flagship Topps products.
For those unfamiliar, they are thrown in as box toppers in both hobby (1 pack) and hobby jumbo (2 packs) formats. While odds aren’t stated, collectors are chasing autographs in these packs that tend to pop up in every 20 packs or so. It has become popular for breakers to save them and open them all at once, or resell them on eBay.
These particular Silver Packs will feature the 35th anniversary 1989 Topps design in chrome with the popular mojo-style patterning. The cards look amazing and the autograph checklist may be even better
- Paul Skenes, Jackson Merrill and Elly De La Cruz lead the way for rookies featured in the set
- Corey Seager, Juan Soto and Ronald Acuna pace the current stars group
- Cal Ripken Jr., Ken Griffey Jr., Pedro Martinez and Ichiro are just a few of an absolutely loaded retired stars group
Silver Packs are back and are as hot as ever.
Cut Signature Cards
Upper Deck’s SP Legendary Cuts was a favorite product of mine when I was younger, centered around the old-timers and the chase for cut signature cards. A cut signature card is created when a signed flat item—such as a photo, check, or letter—is cut and placed inside a card. They are often very low-numbered and feature players (usually all-time greats) who are no longer around to sign. In the past decade or so, cut signatures have become much less prominent. That may be because there are fewer signed flat items to cut up.
A fun inclusion for Update Series is a run of seven Cut Signatures featuring Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Stan Musial, Johnny Mize, Roy Campanella, Al Kaline, and Monte Irvin—all number 1/1.
In all reality, chances of pulling one of the seven are slim, with the odds stated at 1:695,500. However, they are in the product and someone will find them. While cut signatures aren’t new to Update Series, they are worth a call-out as few products offer the chance to pull these one-of-a-kind collectables.
Halloween Parallels
Once again, Topps is leaning into spooky season with the Update Series value box-exclusive Halloween parallels.
With two per box, Topps has opened the door for casual collectors to hit it big once again. While the standard Holiday parallel isn’t numbered, there are tiers to the backgrounds and some are rarer than others. When sifting through your stacks, keep your eyes out for jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, mummies, black cats, witches hats and, if you’re really lucky, bats (numbered 1/1).
Every player in the 350 base card checklist will have a full-run of these parallels, meaning Skenes, De La Cruz, Chourio and all of your favorite rookies. Some may find the parallel set to be gimmicky, but I think it’s a fun chase for kids in the family-friendly price point format.
Complete Checklist
You can find the complete checklist of cards here.
Where to Buy, Formats & Pricing
The flagship Topps products are some of the most accessible to collectors of all interests and Update Series is no different. While autograph odds are much better if you’re paying for a hobby or jumbo box, big box retailers like Target and Walmart will stock value boxes and rack packs. This product will be everywhere in every format.
Hobby Box
Each hobby box features 20 packs with 12 cards per pack. Each hobby box will have, on average: one autograph or relic and one Silver Pack. Hobby boxes are trending around $140 on popular hobby websites.
Hobby Jumbo Box
For your best chance at a Skenes autograph, the jumbo box is the way to go, because you get that guaranteed autograph. Each hobby jumbo box features 10 packs with 40 cards per pack. Each jumbo will have, on average: one autograph, two relics and two Silver Packs. Jumbos are trending around $300 on popular hobby websites.
Value (Blaster) Box
As I mentioned above, I’m a big fan of this format for Update Series with the value box exclusive Halloween parallels. Each value box features seven packs with 12 cards per pack and guarantees two holiday base parallels. You’ll find these on shelves (or online) for around $30 a box.
