2026 Topps Update Baseball: Preorder Rookie Guide
Konnor Griffin is card #US1 and the preorder window opens 14 September 2026 at 12pm ET on topps.com — if that's not a sign the hobby is paying attention, nothing is. Five of the year's most-watched prospects get their first standard base flagship RC here, in the set that closes out Topps's 75th year in baseball cards. October 2026 can't come soon enough.
Which rookies get their first standard base RC?
The 2026 Series 2 short prints (#697–700) were technically the first RC-logo flagship cards for McGonigle, Wetherholt, Benge, and Crawford — but at approximately 1-in-28,000 Hobby pack odds, they're more mythology than pull. Update delivers the same players on a standard base card, the version most collectors will actually own.
Griffin's timeline differs slightly. His first RC overall was 2026 Topps Chrome #74 (released 22 July); Update #US1 is his first paper flagship RC. Either way, he's the headline name heading into preorder — and his checklist inclusion confirms he returned from a forearm strain suffered in late May.
- Konnor Griffin (Pittsburgh Pirates) — #US1; also #US255, #US80, and #US99
- Justin Crawford (Philadelphia Phillies) — #US2; also #US23
- Carson Benge (New York Mets) — #US3; also #US250
- Kevin McGonigle (Detroit Tigers) — #US7; also #US140 and #US26 (combo with Gleyber Torres)
- JJ Wetherholt (St. Louis Cardinals) — #US50; also #US245 and #US176 (combo with Masyn Winn)
What's the insert stack worth chasing?
The 75th anniversary layer is where this set earns its capstone billing. The 75 Years of Topps Die-Cut Autographs (75YA-) signs Adrian Beltre, Dustin Pedroia, Elly De La Cruz, Francisco Lindor, Mookie Betts, and Pedro Martinez. Cover Athletes Autographs (COVR-) adds Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, Sandy Koufax, and Shohei Ohtani in his Angels uniform.
The Iconic Buyback Redemptions hide one brilliant callback: the 2011 Topps Update #US175 Mike Trout RC is among approximately 25 buybacks spanning 1956–2018 — Topps is literally seeding the most famous card in Update history back into packs of the product's own 75th anniversary edition. Three of the five rookies also appear in Black Gold (Griffin #BG-5, Wetherholt #BG-6, McGonigle #BG-7); all five show up in Heavy Lumber (Griffin #HL-46, Wetherholt #HL-47, McGonigle #HL-48, Benge #HL-49, Crawford #HL-50).
Who are the sleepers beyond the headline five?
Five names outside the marquee quintet worth pulling for — none with verified Update comps yet, so once these are in hand, snap a photo to value them instantly in CardLoft.
- Roman Anthony (Boston Red Sox) — #US194
- Travis Bazzana (Cleveland Guardians) — #US75 and #US278
- Jacob Misiorowski (Milwaukee Brewers) — #US136
- Jac Caglianone (Kansas City Royals) — #US21
- Munetaka Murakami (Chicago White Sox) — #US350
What do pre-release Bowman sales actually say?
The only verified sold data heading into preorder comes from Bowman autograph parallels — market context only, not Update card prices. Griffin's 2024 Bowman Chrome Draft Auto Orange Refractor /25 (#4/25, BGS 9.5) sold for $15,400 on eBay in April 2026; his Red X-Fractor /5 (#3/5, PSA 10) sold for $22,435 on eBay in January 2026; and his Gold Shimmer /50 (#23/50, PSA 10) sold for $12,000 on eBay in April 2026.
Wetherholt's 2025 Bowman Chrome Prospects Auto Black Refractor /10 (PSA 10) sold for $8,600 at PSA Auction in November 2025. No verified comps exist for Crawford, Benge, McGonigle, or any Update base RCs — those prices are being written in real time from the preorder window forward.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 Topps Update Series preorder open?
Monday, 14 September 2026 at 12pm ET on topps.com.
What formats will 2026 Topps Update ship in?
Hobby, Hobby Jumbo, Retail, Club Box, Super Box, and Holiday Tin. Hobby boxes include one guaranteed auto or relic per box.
Is this really the first RC for Griffin, Crawford, Benge, McGonigle, and Wetherholt?
For Crawford, Benge, McGonigle, and Wetherholt, Update delivers their first standard base flagship RC — the S2 short prints (#697–700) were technically earlier but printed at approximately 1-in-28,000 Hobby pack odds. Griffin's first RC overall was 2026 Topps Chrome #74 (22 July); Update #US1 is his first paper flagship RC.
Does Pete Crow-Armstrong appear as a rookie in 2026 Topps Update?
No. PCA's RC was 2024 Topps Update #US91. He appears in 2026 Update as a veteran — on #US33 Season Highlights and the Cover Athletes insert COVR-PCA — but carries no RC logo.
When does 2026 Topps Update actually ship?
Topps has confirmed October 2026 but has not announced a specific date yet.
