The 2026 Topps Series 1 release drops this Wednesday and it marks the official start of the new baseball card season. As always, the rookie class is the main driver of demand and long-term value in Series 1, and this year’s checklist gives collectors several names worth paying attention to right away. Whether you’re opening boxes, chasing flagship rookie cards, or targeting singles on release day, these are the top rookies to know in the 2026 Topps Series 1 set.
Top Rookies in 2026 Topps Series 1
Jac Caglianone, 1B/OF – Kansas City Royals
The No. 6 overall pick in 2024, Caglianone is one of the most anticipated rookie cards in the set. His combination of name recognition and early MLB opportunity makes him a clear chase in Series 1. While his first stint in the majors was underwhelming, his .337/.408/.617 slash line with a .446 wOBA across 66 minor league games highlights the upside that made him such a high draft pick.
Roman Anthony, OF – Boston Red Sox
Anthony has been a top Red Sox prospect for multiple seasons and reached the majors in 2025. With a strong on-base profile and an everyday role in Boston, his flagship rookie card is expected to be one of the most sought-after in the release. Across 71 major league games last season, Anthony slashed .292/.396/.463 with eight home runs, 32 RBI, and 48 runs scored.
Kyle Teel, C – Chicago White Sox
A former Red Sox top prospect, Teel made an instant impact in his rookie season. He separated himself from most catching prospects with his bat, reaching the majors quickly and posting a .349 wOBA over 297 plate appearances. Offensive production from a young catcher adds immediate hobby appeal to his Series 1 rookie.
Jacob Misiorowski, P – Milwaukee Brewers
Misiorowski has been one of the most talked-about pitching prospects in baseball thanks to his strikeout rates and raw stuff. Pitchers carry more risk in the hobby, but his upside keeps collectors interested in his Series 1 rookie. He posted an eye-popping 11.8 K/9 across 66 innings in 15 games (14 starts). While his ERA finished at 4.36, a 3.40 xERA suggests he pitched better than the surface numbers show.
Payton Tolle, P – Boston Red Sox
Tolle’s time in the majors was brief, logging just 16.1 innings last season. However, with swing-and-miss stuff and a chance to stick in the rotation, his rookie cards could gain traction as the season unfolds. He has been involved in trade rumors, but for now, he projects to open the year in the middle of Boston’s rotation.
Samuel Basallo, C – Baltimore Orioles
Basallo has been one of the highest-ranked catching prospects in the minors, combining power with athleticism. While his 2025 major league season was forgettable, he continued to post strong numbers in the minors. At just 21 years old, he still has plenty of time to develop into an impact catcher at the major league level.
Cam Schlittler, P – New York Yankees
Schlittler impressed early after reaching the majors, posting strong results while consistently missing bats. He recorded an 11% swinging-strike rate along with a 10.8 K/9, and being a Yankees rookie adds immediate visibility and collector interest.
Jonah Tong, P – New York Mets
Tong has steadily climbed prospect rankings and profiles as a potential rotation arm. His Series 1 rookie is one collectors will monitor closely as his role with the Mets becomes more defined.
Nolan McLean, P – New York Mets
McLean adds additional pitching depth to the rookie class and has shown flashes that keep him on hobby radars. He’s more of a secondary chase, but one worth tracking early in the season.
Bubba Chandler, P – Pittsburgh Pirates
Chandler’s athletic profile and continued development as a starter have kept him relevant among prospect watchers. If he earns consistent innings, his 2026 Topps Series 1 rookie could emerge as a sleeper.
2026 Topps Series 1 Rookies by Team
Below is a team-by-team breakdown of every rookie card included in the 2026 Topps Series 1 checklist. This section is especially useful for collectors buying into team breaks or tracking rookie distribution across the set.
Angels
- Christian Moore
- Chad Stevens
Arizona Diamondbacks
- Blaze Alexander
- Kyle Backhus
- Juan Burgos
- Brandyn Garcia
- Tristin English
Athletics
- Jack Perkins
- Colby Thomas
- Luis Morales
- Mason Barnett
- Carlos Cortes
Atlanta Braves
- Didier Fuentes
Baltimore Orioles
- Samuel Basallo
- Jeremiah Jackson
- Dylan Beavers
Boston Red Sox
- Payton Tolle
- Roman Anthony
- Jhostynxon Garcia
Chicago Cubs
- Owen Caissie
Chicago White Sox
- Grant Taylor
- Colson Montgomery
- Wikelman González
- Kyle Teel
Cincinnati Reds
- Zach Maxwell
- Will Banfield
- Chase Burns
Cleveland Guardians
- C.J. Kayfus
- Parker Messick
Colorado Rockies
- Ryan Ritter
- Warming Bernabel
- Yanquiel Fernández
- Kyle Karros
Detroit Tigers
- Dylan Smith
- Troy Melton
Houston Astros
- Brice Matthews
- Kenedy Corona
- Jacob Melton
Kansas City Royals
- Luinder Avila
- Jac Caglianone
Los Angeles Dodgers
- Alex Freeland
Miami Marlins
- Jakob Marsee
- Maximo Acosta
Milwaukee Brewers
- Jacob Misiorowski
- Anthony Seigler
Minnesota Twins
- Travis Adams
- Pierson Ohl
New York Mets
- Jonah Tong
- Nolan McLean
New York Yankees
- Cam Schlittler
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Bubba Chandler
- Cam Devanney
San Francisco Giants
- Carson Seymour
- Drew Gilbert
- Carson Whisenhunt
Seattle Mariners
- Cole Young
St. Louis Cardinals
- Nathan Church
- Jimmy Crooks
- César Prieto
Tampa Bay Rays
- Bob Seymour
- Joe Rock
- Ian Seymour
- Tristan Peters
Toronto Blue Jays
- Lazaro Estrada
Washington Nationals
- Shinnosuke Ogasawara
- Andry Lara
- Brady House
With the full rookie checklist broken down by team, collectors can quickly decide which teams make the most sense when buying into 2026 Topps Series 1 breaks or targeting singles on release week.
