Topps Chrome Baseball Update has become a crucial release for collectors chasing rookie cards. While we typically focus on what’s happening right now, which Chrome rookies from the past are aging well since the product launched in 2013?
Topps Ripped put together a list of the best Topps Chrome Baseball Update Series rookie cards of all time, so I picked my favorites to talk about in more detail below.
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Five Topps Chrome Baseball Update Rookies You Need to Know
Here are five cards that collectors are surely hunting for right now, with current market values from Sports Cards Pro, unless otherwise noted:
2019 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #21: PSA 10 copies are selling in the $20-50 range, with recent sales around $40. Raw ungraded versions trade for under $5.
2018 Shohei Ohtani #HMT1: Unsurprisingly, this is one of the most sought-after modern rookies. PSA 10 copies are currently valued around $350.
2018 Ronald Acuña Jr. #HMT25: The 2023 NL MVP’s Chrome Update rookie is still a collector favorite, and it’s easy to see why — this is a beautiful card. It’s available on eBay, and the price ranges from as low as $20 for a raw version to several hundred for ones in high grade.
2017 Aaron Judge #HMT40: The Yankees captain and three-time AL MVP has one of the set’s most iconic rookies. PSA 10 copies consistently trade in the $150-250 range.
2018 Juan Soto #HMT98: Following his record-breaking $765 million deal with the Mets, Soto’s Chrome Update rookie in PSA 10 grade has been selling for $25-85, with recent prices settling in the $40 range.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Chrome Update Card
There was a lot of hype surrounding Vlad Jr.’s landfall in the big leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019. So, it made sense that he was prominently featured among the Chrome Update rookies. While his career got off to a slow-ish start from 2019-20, he’s picked it up quite a bit since then.
Guerrero has put together five straight years of 20-plus homers, including three campaigns of 30-plus taters. An average year for him between 2021 and 2025 included a .293/.372/.507 line with 31 home runs, 34 doubles, 97 RBI, and 97 runs scored. He’ll turn 27 in March, but the right-handed slugger is already a five-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger winner, a Gold Glove winner, a Home Run Derby champion, and an All-Star Game MVP.
The card’s current $35 PSA 10 valuation feels suppressed compared to others, especially after the insane 2025 postseason he put together. He helped carry the Jays to Game 7 of the World Series, and in 89 trips to the plate in October, he slashed .397/.494/.795 with eight homers, 15 RBI, and 18 runs scored.
One would imagine that as he continues piling up accolades (a regular-season MVP Award or two would help) and maybe a World Series title with Toronto at some point, the value of his rookies — especially the Chrome Update edition — will continue to jump.
Juan Soto’s Undervalued Gem
Soto, like Guerrero, is another player who hasn’t technically reached his physical prime yet. But he’s already put together a career that has people expecting him to land in Cooperstown by the time it’s done.
The left-handed hitter turned 27 in October, yet he’s already a four-time All-Star, a six-time Silver Slugger winner, and a Home Run Derby champion. He also won a batting title in 2020 and was part of the Washington Nationals’ 2019 title run. While the team fell short of expectations in 2025, Soto’s first season of a 15-year, $765 million commitment with the Mets was eye-popping from the standpoint of individual production.
Despite a slow start in April and May, Soto slashed .263/.396/.525 with 43 home runs (a new career-high mark), 105 RBI, 120 runs scored, and 127 walks. He also finished third in National League MVP Award voting.
Current PSA 10 values around $40 provide an interesting opportunity if we think about Soto’s trajectory. He’s already a perennial All-Star, and he’s about to enter his physical prime while playing in MLB’s largest media market. This is one of those cards where you’re probably surprised it’s currently as cheap as it is.
Why Topps Chrome Update Rookies Matter
The appeal of Chrome Update rookies comes down to timing and presentation. Topps typically releases this set toward the end of the season to capture players who debuted mid-season or made a splash after the base Chrome set released.
The chrome finish gives these cards a premium visual appeal compared to paper Update Series cards. Collectors gravitate toward the refractor parallels (Pink, Gold, and Red), which create scarcity and drive values on the top rookies.
The combination of flagship-quality photos, premium chrome stock, and perfect timing makes these cards special. They’re not just rookies – they’re often the first chrome rookie cards available for players who will eventually become the faces of the league.
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