What are the best cards to chase in 2026 Topps Update Series Baseball? The 350-card set features Konnor Griffin and Shohei Ohtani Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autographs, Barry Bonds autographs and rare redemption opportunities for iconic Mike Trout and Ohtani rookie cards. With the product releasing Wednesday, October 14, collectors have several major rookie, veteran and historical cards to look for.
We’ve ranked the 10 best 2026 Topps Update Series Baseball chase cards using the official checklist and pack odds, including specific card numbers, autograph variations and redemption details. Our list highlights which cards stand out, why they’re worth chasing and how difficult their respective card categories are to pull.
Top 10 cards to chase in 2026 Topps Update Series Baseball
| Rank | Card | Checklist ID |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Konnor Griffin Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph | US1 |
| 2 | 2011 Mike Trout Topps Update Rookie Buyback Redemption | 2011 #US175 |
| 3 | Shohei Ohtani Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph | 200 |
| 4 | Barry Bonds Baseball Stars Autograph | BSA-BA |
| 5 | Kevin McGonigle Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph | US7 |
| 6 | 2018 Shohei Ohtani Topps Update Rookie Buyback Redemption | 2018 #US285 |
| 7 | Konnor Griffin 1952 Topps Rookie Autograph Variation | US1 |
| 8 | Ken Griffey Jr. 1991 Topps Baseball All-Star Autograph | 91AS-KG |
| 9 | JJ Wetherholt Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph | US50 |
| 10 | Paul Skenes/Andrew McCutchen Major League Material Dual Autograph | MLMDA-MCS |
The two buyback selections refer to original historical cards listed among Topps’ redemption rewards, not newly printed 2026 cards. Card-category pack odds do not establish the odds of pulling any individual player or redemption reward.
1. Konnor Griffin Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph (US1)
Konnor Griffin takes our top spot with his Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph, listed as US1 on the official checklist. The Pirates rookie headlines the 350-card base set, and this signed Golden Mirror version provides a much different chase from his standard rookie card.
Griffin appears in several autograph collections, including Baseball Stars, Flagship Real One and the 1952 Topps Rookie Autograph Variations. The Golden Mirror Autograph stands out because it combines the flagship card number with one of the product’s more difficult autograph categories.
Card: US1, Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph
Published category odds: 1:3,555 Hobby packs and 1:751 Jumbo packs. These figures cover all Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autographs, not just Griffin.
2. 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Rookie Buyback Redemption (#US175)
The 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout rookie card is one of the most recognizable modern baseball cards, and it appears on the Iconic Buyback Redemption checklist for 2026 Topps Update Series.
Rather than producing a new version of Trout’s rookie card, Topps includes a redemption opportunity tied to the original 2011 Update #US175. The official checklist identifies the historical card as graded, making it one of the most unusual chases in the entire product.
The chance to redeem an original card with an established place in hobby history gives this selection a different appeal from a current-year autograph or short print.
Card: 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout #US175, Iconic Buyback Redemption
Published category odds: 1:248,490 Hobby packs and 1:67,132 Jumbo packs for an Iconic Buyback Redemption Card. The specific Trout redemption has no separately published odds.
3. Shohei Ohtani Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph (200)
Shohei Ohtani has two entries in the Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph checklist, numbered 200 and 500. We’re selecting card 200 for this ranking, giving collectors a specific Ohtani autograph to identify rather than treating every signed Ohtani card as the same chase.
Ohtani’s presence in this autograph collection is one of the most notable veteran inclusions in the product. With a separate entry at card 500, collectors should pay attention to the exact checklist number when identifying the different versions.
Card: 200, Shohei Ohtani Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph
Published category odds: 1:3,555 Hobby packs and 1:751 Jumbo packs for the Golden Mirror Autograph category overall.
4. Barry Bonds Baseball Stars Autograph (BSA-BA)
Barry Bonds provides one of the most interesting veteran autographs in 2026 Topps Update Series. His Baseball Stars Autograph is identified as BSA-BA, placing one of baseball’s most recognizable names alongside a rookie-heavy checklist.
There’s plenty of attention on Griffin, McGonigle and the rest of the 2026 rookie class, but the Bonds autograph offers a different kind of appeal. It is a specific veteran signature worth watching rather than another variation of one of the headline rookies.
Card: BSA-BA, Baseball Stars Autograph
Published category odds: 1:735 Hobby packs and 1:155 Jumbo packs for Baseball Stars Autographs across all subjects.
5. Kevin McGonigle Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph (US7)
Kevin McGonigle receives a standard rookie card numbered US7 in the base checklist, and the same identifier appears in the Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph checklist.
McGonigle has several other cards in the set, including a Baseball Stars Autograph (BSAU-KM), a Rookie Debut card (US140) and various inserts. We prefer the US7 Golden Mirror Autograph for this ranking because it combines his regular flagship rookie number with a separate, less frequently appearing autograph category.
Card: US7, Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph
Published category odds: 1:3,555 Hobby packs and 1:751 Jumbo packs for the category overall.
6. 2018 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani Rookie Buyback Redemption (#US285)
The Iconic Buyback Redemption checklist also features the original 2018 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani rookie card, numbered US285.
Like the Trout redemption, this is a chance tied to a historical card rather than a newly designed 2026 insert. The original Update rookie carries its own place in the modern collecting hobby, making it a natural inclusion among the biggest chases in the new product.
The buyback program also lists Ohtani’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autograph separately. Our selection here is specifically his 2018 Topps Update #US285.
Card: 2018 Topps Update Shohei Ohtani #US285, Iconic Buyback Redemption
Published category odds: 1:248,490 Hobby packs and 1:67,132 Jumbo packs for any Iconic Buyback Redemption Card.
7. Konnor Griffin 1952 Topps Rookie Autograph Variation (US1)
Griffin’s 1952 Topps Rookie Autograph Variation brings together a headline 2026 rookie and one of the most recognizable vintage designs in baseball card history.
The card is identified as US1 in the 1952 Rookie Autograph Variation checklist. It is separate from both Griffin’s standard US1 base card and his Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph.
With 2026 marking the 75th anniversary of Topps baseball cards, the 1952 design is a natural fit for a special rookie autograph. The published pack odds also make this one of the more difficult autograph categories represented in our rankings.
Card: US1, Base Card Rookie 1952 Autograph Variation
Published category odds: 1:43,216 Hobby packs and 1:9,037 Jumbo packs for the standard 1952 Rookie Autograph Variation category.
8. Ken Griffey Jr. 1991 Topps Baseball All-Star Autograph (91AS-KG)
Ken Griffey Jr. is one of the headline names in the 1991 Topps Baseball All-Star Autograph checklist, appearing as card 91AS-KG.
The 1991 Topps design connects directly to Griffey’s playing era, making this a fitting autograph chase for collectors who grew up with the original flagship set. The All-Star autograph checklist also includes Mariano Rivera, Miguel Cabrera, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Paul Skenes.
For collectors looking beyond the 2026 rookie class, Griffey offers a recognizable signature in a design closely associated with his career.
Card: 91AS-KG, 1991 Topps Baseball All-Star Autograph
Published category odds: 1:5,359 Hobby packs and 1:1,133 Jumbo packs for 1991 Topps Baseball All-Star Autographs overall.
9. JJ Wetherholt Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph (US50)
JJ Wetherholt joins Griffin and McGonigle among the top rookies in the Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph checklist. His card is numbered US50, matching his standard rookie card in the base set.
Wetherholt also appears in the Baseball Stars Autograph checklist as BSAU-JW, along with a Rookie Debut card (US245), a Home Field insert (HA-41) and multiple other insert collections.
We’re selecting the US50 Golden Mirror Autograph because it is a distinct flagship rookie autograph rather than another Baseball Stars selection. Together with Griffin and McGonigle, Wetherholt gives this ranking three clearly identifiable Golden Mirror rookie targets.
Card: US50, Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph
Published category odds: 1:3,555 Hobby packs and 1:751 Jumbo packs across the Golden Mirror Autograph category.
10. Paul Skenes and Andrew McCutchen Major League Material Dual Autograph (MLMDA-MCS)
Our final selection pairs two recognizable Pirates names on the same card. The Major League Material Dual Autograph checklist includes Paul Skenes and Andrew McCutchen under identifier MLMDA-MCS.
The combination gives Pittsburgh collectors a different kind of chase from Griffin’s rookie cards. Rather than targeting an individual signature, this card brings together the Pirates’ star pitcher and longtime franchise favorite on a dual-autograph release.
The same dual autograph collection also features pairings such as Gunnar Henderson and Cal Ripken Jr., Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, and Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell.
Card: MLMDA-MCS, Major League Material Dual Autograph
Published category odds: 1:31,555 Hobby packs and 1:6,714 Jumbo packs for Major League Material Dual Autographs overall.
Which 2026 Topps Update Series cards are hardest to pull?
The official Topps odds sheet shows significant differences between the autograph, variation and redemption categories featured in this ranking. Iconic Buyback Redemptions are especially difficult to find, while the 1952 Rookie Autograph Variations and Major League Material Dual Autographs also have long published odds.
| Card Category | Hobby Odds | Jumbo Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Iconic Buyback Redemption | 1:248,490 | 1:67,132 |
| 1952 Rookie Autograph Variation | 1:43,216 | 1:9,037 |
| Major League Material Dual Autograph | 1:31,555 | 1:6,714 |
| 1991 Topps Baseball All-Star Autograph | 1:5,359 | 1:1,133 |
| Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph | 1:3,555 | 1:751 |
| Flagship Real One Autograph | 1:957 | 1:202 |
| Baseball Stars Autograph | 1:735 | 1:155 |
All odds are published by Topps and represent an entire card category, not the probability of finding a specific player. They are per-pack odds, and Jumbo packs contain more cards than standard Hobby packs. The figures should not be interpreted as individual-card probabilities or estimates of resale value.
Other notable 2026 Topps Update Series chase cards
The top 10 leaves out several worthwhile cards. Beyond the Golden Mirror Autographs and historical buybacks, the checklist includes additional veteran autographs, rookie signatures, short prints and other rare inserts.
- Mike Trout Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph (350): A separate veteran autograph chase, with Trout listed under his Angels card number.
- Shohei Ohtani Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph (500): A second confirmed Ohtani entry in the same autograph checklist.
- Konnor Griffin Flagship Real One Autograph (US1): A different autograph category from his Golden Mirror version, listed at 1:957 Hobby packs and 1:202 Jumbo packs overall.
- Travis Bazzana Flagship Real One Golden Mirror Autograph (US75): Another notable rookie signature from the Golden Mirror checklist.
- Gunnar Henderson/Cal Ripken Jr. Major League Material Dual Autograph (MLMDA-RJH): An Orioles pairing from the dual-autograph collection.
- Babe Ruth Golden Mirror Legend Variation (US290): A short-print legend variation, with the overall Golden Mirror Legend category listed at 1:11,904 Hobby packs and 1:2,901 Jumbo packs.
- Konnor Griffin Home Field (HA-59): A rare rookie insert, with published category odds of 1:1,486 Hobby packs and 1:363 Jumbo packs.
2026 Topps Update Series Baseball checklist and official odds
The official 2026 Topps Update Series Baseball checklist contains 65 pages of base cards, rookie variations, inserts, autographs, relics and redemption cards. Topps has also released a separate seven-page document covering pack odds across its available formats.
For a complete breakdown of the 350-card set, including rookies, Hobby and Jumbo box configurations, inserts and pack odds, check out our 2026 Topps Update Series Baseball checklist, rookies and box breakdown.
Collectors can find both documents through the official Topps Update Series Baseball page.
For upcoming sports card releases throughout the month, visit our October 2026 sports card release calendar.
