The summer is heating up (quite literally), and that means it is getting close to the release of one of the most anticipated flagship sets every year in 2026 Topps Chrome Baseball. For collectors across the board, Chrome cards represent the most desirable of a player's base cards in a given season, and the introduction of the MVP buyback program has only increased the hype. More importantly, Chrome is also going to be one of the first opportunities to get a full look at what is quickly becoming a stellar rookie class.
While the start of 2026 baseball card products had some intriguing rookies to be sure, that has been ratcheted up to 11 of late. The number of top rookie call-ups that are starting to make their appearance in products is getting exciting, and that is coming to a head with 2026 Chrome...to a point.
Here are the chase rookies in 2026 Topps Chrome Baseball, and the cards collectors will want to keep an eye out for
Now, before we go any further, it is very important to remember that all of these top rookies to follow here have rookie autos in 2026 Chrome. If all you care about is ink, you will have options with every single one of these rookies. However, each rookie has gotten different levels of love beyond the autographs that collectors will want to know going in.
Munetaka Murakami
Key SSPs/Variations: Image Variation, Radiating Rookies, Ultra Violet
Somewhat surprisingly, Topps went pretty light on the Munetaka Murakami SSPs in Chrome, so you can bet that he will be featured heavily in Chrome Update when it comes out later this year. However, he does have Radiating Rookies and an Ultra Violet as chase inserts to hunt, and the rookie image variation is certain to be highly sought after. It looks like 2026 Chrome is going to be mostly about the autos with Murakami, although there are a couple options for those that are into the SSP insert game.
Konnor Griffin
Key SSPs/Variations: None
This is pretty disappointing, honestly. While Griffin did get called up to the majors later than a lot of his contemporaries here, that Topps couldn't find a way to even get an image variation or Radiating Rookies in 2026 Chrome is pretty odd. However, we have seen some top rookie call-ups get a similar treatment, with Drake Baldwin being one example last year. Chrome Update is likely to be loaded with Griffin stuff, but collectors are going to have to be content with chasing rookie autos and base parallels in this set.
Kevin McGonigle
Key SSPs/Variations: Image Variation, Radiating Rookies
Continuing the trend of top rookies not getting a lot of SSP love, Kevin McGonigle is the prohibitive favorite to with AL Rookie of the Year unless Murakami comes back from injury looking like Babe Ruth again and he still only got a rookie image variation as well as a Radiating Rookies variation. Still, that may be enough for now, especially with more McGonigle cards coming down the pipeline elsewhere.
JJ Wetherholt
Key SSPs/Variations: Image Variation, Radiating Rookies
The trend continues with the top rookies that made their team's Opening Day rosters, as JJ Wetherholt also only got an image variation as well as a Radiating Rookies. Wetherholt's market will be interesting to watch in the coming weeks and months, since his profile doesn't really jump off the back of his baseball card, but Cardinals fans are rabid, and he is in the hunt for Rookie of the Year.
Jacob Misiorowski
Key SSPs/Variations: Image Variation, Radiating Rookies
That Jacob Misiorowski isn't super well-represented in Chrome is honestly shocking. Not only did he make his debut last year, but Misiorowski and that fastball of his have been the talk of baseball this year. Combine those factors with the fact that Misiorowski is a huge card collector, and you have a missed opportunity in Chrome here. That said, those searching for image variations or Radiating Rookies will find Misiorowski on those checklists.
Roman Anthony
Key SSPs/Variations: Image Variation, Minions Variation, SSP Variation, Fanatical, Helix, Radiating Rookies, Static Noise, Ultra Violet
Well, at least one chase rookie got the full SSP treatment, but it happens to be Roman Anthony, who has been hurt all season long and whose value is at its lowest at the moment. The biggest card to watch out for is Anthony's Minions variation, as they are extremely tough pulls and the checklist is only four players long.
Sal Stewart
Key SSPs/Variations: Radiating Rookies
Not having more options for Sal Stewart is equally weird as many of the other rookie shortages on this list, but it is at least a little more understandable. Stewart's season started off loud, but has evolved into steady production for a team that is hanging around .500. At least there are Radiating Rookies as well as autos to play with for now.
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