With three releases every year, Topps flagship can get confusing, especially when you compare rookie cards from one series to another. Our 2025 Rookie Card Power Rankings help sports card collectors understand which rookie cards from 2025 Topps Baseball Series 1, Series 2 and Topps Update rank higher against each other.
We started this baseball rookie card power rankings tradition off last year when we combined the three 2024 Topps flagship series together and ranked the rookie cards against each other in our 2024 Rookie Card Power Rankings.
Here are our original rankings for each series after they came out:
There were an amazing 282 rookie cards produced in 2025 Topps Series 1 (65), Topps Series 2 (64) and Topps Update (153) combined, but we whittled our rookie card power rankings list down to the Top 15 rookie cards you want to target out of these products going forward!
Kurtz brings middle-of-the-order first base power to an up-and-coming A’s core, and early projections envision him as the lineup anchor. First basemen have to mash to stay hot in the hobby, but if the bat plays as advertised, his 2025 flagship rookie cards could age like the Freddie Freeman or Paul Goldschmidt.
Wood and Dylan Crews sit near the top of this class in long-term collectability, with Wood getting the slight edge thanks to louder Fantasy-style tools and a middle-of-the-order ceiling under a big D.C. market spotlight.
Mayer offers the classic, hobby-friendly shortstop profile in a storied Red Sox uniform, and his mix of power and on-base skill keeps him in that “face of the franchise” lane if the bat fully clicks. For collectors, his combination of position, market, and draft pedigree makes his flagship RCs one of the safer long-term gets in this group.
Interestingly, there could be a depressed pricing opportunity once 2026 Topps Series 1 comes out, as collectors line up for Mayer’s teammate, Roman Anthony. A July wrist injury might play a part in cheaper Mayer prices, too.
Injuries and problems at the plate derailed Crews ascension into hobby awesomeness this year after his rookie card came out in Series 1. But he still profiles as a potential perennial All-Star with strong on-base skills and run production, making his flagship rookies a nice long-term hold – with potential discounts during this offseason!
The young Japanese import is a nice asset from this rookie class, pairing ace-level stuff with global appeal on a marquee Dodgers team in one of the greatest media markets in the world, which supercharges both his floor and ceiling in the hobby. Pitcher risk always exists, but his talent level and international following give his rookie cards a unique upside other young arms can’t match.
Baldwin is a bat-first catcher with the potential to grow into serious power production, especially if he locks down everyday run for Atlanta’s already potent offense. If the Braves’ lineup turns him into a 20–25 homer, run-producing regular, his rookie cards could outkick the usual “catcher tax” in the hobby.
Shaw’s bat speed and approach give him a chance to grow into a high-OBP, 20-homer type in the Cubs infield, which would limit being super collectable, but it would keep his rookie cards in the conversation for modern collectors.
Jobe is one of the very few pitching prospects who grade out as potential true aces, and despite Tommy John surgery taking him out last year, he continues to sit near the top of great young pitcher lists.
Considering Jobe should be healthy for the start of the 2027 season at just 24 years old, on an improving Tigers team that already made the 2025 MLB Playoffs, his rookie card value will likely reach their lowest next summer before climbing hard! His RCs could become some of the more coveted modern pitcher cards of the decade.
Horton has the look of a hard-throwing, rotation-leading arm for the Cubs, which excites card collectors, especially if he continues to post early strikeout-heavy seasons at Wrigley Field. The hobby LOVES young Cubs pitchers (see Kerry Wood and Mark Prior), and Horton sits just behind Sasaki and Jobe among pitchers with 2025 RCs.
The son of former Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson, Jacob looked like the breakout American League Rookie of the Year at the start of the season, only to be passed up by teammate Nick Kurtz.
Wilson brings an advanced hit tool and strong real-life value at shortstop, and some projections on future A’s lineups slot him as one of their core offensive pieces alongside Kurtz. Even if he never becomes a monster in the power categories, a high-average, high-OBP everyday shortstop still holds solid long-term appeal.
Smith was the key piece in the Cubs trade for Kyle Tucker last year, and he offers an exciting power-speed blend. His 2025 Topps Series 2 short print creates a nice little marriage of talent plus scarcity right out of the gate. If he settles in as an everyday bat in a solid lineup, those early SP rookies could develop into key chase cards.
Keaschall looks like the kind of steady, across-the-board contributor who looks more like a lineup glue guy rather than a superstar. That may cap his hobby ceiling a bit, but strong seasons on a competitive Twins roster could increase interest in his rookie cards.
Campbell’s value has dipped under the radar a bit after stumbling out of the MLB gate this past spring. I’m less bullish on Campbell than many people, so if you like him, don’t let me dissuade you. If his bat outperforms my expectations and he sticks in a fantasy-friendly role, that combination of bounce-back performance can create a sharp jump in demand.
Dalton Rushing has middle-of-the-order potential, but he’s stuck behind one of the best catchers in the game in Will Smith. While being on the Dodgers gives him one of the best hobby platforms of anyone on this list, he’s likely going to need to get traded before card collectors get truly excited about pulling his cards. If they move him away from his catcher position, but keep him in L.A., that might be great, too!
Mayo offers as much raw power as anyone on this list, and if he locks down an everyday corner spot in Baltimore’s young core, his stat lines could make his rookie cards spike during any 35–40 homer season. The risk is there, of course, if he is unable to reach his potential, or devolves defensively.
Those are our 2025 Rookie Card Power Rankings! Where do we differ? Who do you like better? Whose rookie cards are you tossing in the common bins? Let us know in the comments – and have a Happy Hobby!
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