Intro
This is the short attention span theater edition of the 2025 Topps Series 2 Preview where I dig deep into every rookie with a True Rookie Card in the product. In other words, a quick reference guide. The "I aint reading all that. I'm happy for u tho. Or sorry that happened" version.
So lets do some quick hits on all of the players with True Rookie Cards in this edition of Topps Flagship.
You can check out the full 2025 Topps Series 2 Preview here.
Tier Ranks
Tier 1 - Cream of the crop. Combination of high-end Hit and Power tools that won’t end up as full-time designated hitters. Power/Speed combo players. Elite SP 1 pitchers (very rare). Potential for being perennial All-Stars and award winners.
Tier 2 - Bats that may lack in a certain area such as top-end power, three true outcomes players with huge power, great real life/fantasy players, but not hobby-elite, or tantalizing raw talents. High-end SP 2 pitchers with additional positive factors such as team, arsenal, pedigree, etc.
Tier 3 - May have some hobby interest due to a single factor such as prospect pedigree, team interest, general hobby hype, an interesting carrying tool, etc.
Tier None - The likelihood of widespread short-term hobby interest, and most likely long-term as well, is close to none. Plenty of pitchers, catchers, role players, hit-tool-only bats, Quad-A power bats, defense-first players, etc. to be found here. Hobby lottery tickets where the odds are stacked against you.
*Catchers and Pitchers are often knocked down a tier just due to their position.
Players that did not get a true rookie card (base) in 2025 Topps Series 1 but did have an autograph and/or insert are included in this article. They will be denoted with an asterisk (*).
Players that got both their true rookie card (base) and an autograph in 2025 Topps Series 1 and also have rookie cards (autos or inserts) in this release will not be updated. Most scenarios haven’t changed for the players who will show up with their second Flagship autograph - James Wood is still good, Dylan Crews is still good (despite the initial performance issues), and Ben Rice, despite hitting 12 home runs already, isn’t as good as Yankees fans would have you believe.
One final note is that the players with their true rookie card (base) in 2025 Topps Series 1 will have a their true rookie card base black parallel. That is likely going to be numbered out of 74. The black parallel is a popular one among collectors, and was not included in 2025 Topps Series 1 as Topps is in the progress of recalibrating the parallels. The collector’s voice was heard and Topps will be returning the base black parallels for Series 2, along with giving the Series 1 cards their black parallels in Series 2 packs, so set collectors and rainbow collectors can add the desired black parallel from the Series 1 checklist to their collections.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
None
Athletics
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
J.T. Ginn, 26, P
A sinker/slider pitcher that's taken positive steps forward with his strikeout rates to profile as a potential mid-rotation starter if he can overcome arm issues and bad team context.
Tier None
Brady Basso, 27, P*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Back-end starter that limits walks through strong command of his arsenal but doesn’t have the stuff to get enough K’s against big league hitters.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
No change beyond a lengthy IL stint which further cements his Tier None status.
Grant Holman, 25, P
Mixed signals on whether Holman has the stuff to be a high leverage reliever or will end up as part of the faceless and boring Middle Relievers of America club.
Atlanta Braves
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Grant Holmes, 28, P
Backend starter/long reliever that gets ground balls and weak contact but isn't sexy. Unless you like long flowing locks and a killer goatee - then he is very sexy.
Baltimore Orioles
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
Tomoyuki Sugano, 35, P
Longtime NPB pitcher getting a taste of the MLB game at the end of his career with international appeal. Currently getting better results than his stuff indicates due to deception and a large arsenal but it's hard to believe that continues.
Tier None
None
Boston Red Sox
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
Kristian Campbell, 22, 2B/OF
One of the three short print rookies that's already had a tale of two seasons and sits on the borderline between Tier 1 and Tier 2. Contact, power, and speed are all in the tool bag, but is his funky swing and/or poor defense going to hold him back?
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Richard Fitts, 25, P
Back-pitcher with good command keeps everything around the edges of the zone but doesn't have much margin for error. And his name makes teenagers chuckle.
Zach Penrod, 27, P
A high strikeout, high walk rate reliever that will be on the roster fringe until he can bring the walks down.
Chicago Cubs
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
Kevin Alcántara, 22, OF*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
High risk, high reward outfielder with big time power that is held back by his hit tool and inconsistent results.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
No real substantive changes - still showing that he's a power-speed corner outfielder with a high ceiling and a low floor if the hit tool can't support the potential plus power.
Matt Shaw, 23, 3B
One of the three short print rookies - had a rough debut but seems to have made successful adjustments after a reset in Triple-A. Straddles the border between Tier 1 and Tier 2 until we see if the changes will stick over a larger sample.
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Jack Neely, 25, P
Tall middle reliever with one good pitch and one questionable pitch, but no one can question the professional stache.
Chicago White Sox
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Jairo Iriarte, 23, P
Acquired in the Dylan Cease trade, Iriarte's currently a starter that has stuff which is trending downwards, but maybe it trends back positive if Chicago pushes him to a full-time bullpen role.
Jake Eder, 26, P
Has never regained his form that he had prior to his TJ surgery in 2021, and now on his third team in 2 years. Still doing some starting, but likely heads to the bullpen long term.
Sean Burke, 25, P
A small sample in 2024 fooled many into believing that Burke could be a mid-rotation SP, but now with more innings in 2025, he's looking like a back-end SP on a bad team.
Cincinnati Reds
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Julian Aguiar, 24, P
A back-end starter that debuted this past August and a month later his elbow was done.
Yosver Zulueta, 27, P
A slider with good metrics keeps him as a potential bullpen option, but the elevated walk rates limit any potential upside.
Cleveland Guardians
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Andrew Walters, 24, P
Walters is a future high leverage reliever with big time strikeout stuff but some walk issues and now is done for the year after getting surgery.
Connor Gillispie, 27, P
A swingman type that can relieve as well as start but doesn't have much to get excited about, Gillispie debuted for the Guardians in 2024 and is now eating innings for the Marlins.
Daniel Schneemann, 28, UTIL
Versatile defender that doesn’t have any standout tools but doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses that somehow has become a useful contributor at the MLB level because Guardians magic.
Colorado Rockies
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Angel Chivilli, 22, P
Rockies middle reliever that throws everything hard but he’s not able to fool MLB hitters like he was able to do with minor league hitters.
Jaden Hill, 25, P
Reliever with a strikeout arsenal, and more than enough ground balls for a pitcher plying his trade in Colorado. Health concerns have limited his innings but high leverage should be in his future.
Luis Peralta, 24, P
Lefty reliever that is the younger brother of Freddy Peralta of the Brewres. 2025 has been a struggle as he’s currently in Triple-A fighting the PCL BABIP demons.
Seth Halvorsen, 25, P
Best reliever of the group of Rockies relievers in the product (a phrase that probably should never be uttered) and currently pitching in a high leverage role with a high octane arsenal and some command issues.
Detroit Tigers
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
Jackson Jobe, 22, P*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Future ace that just needs to build up innings and remain healthy to reach that Ceiling.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Early season returns were inconsistent, and appeared as Jobe was more relying on his stuff rather than being an expert on the craft of pitching. That plus a recent flexor strain has knocked him down into Tier 2.
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Keider Montero, 24, P*
2025 Topps Series 1 write-up:
Back-end starter that traded strikeouts for better command in his 2024 MLB stint, but doesn’t have an MLB spot to start 2025.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
No change from my previous ranking and I’m more pessimistic than ever that an SP4, Tier 3 upside will be in the cards.
Ty Madden, 24, P
Unless the pitch mix changes or his fastball takes a step forward, Madden will hover in the back-end starter/long reliever role. Currently on the 60-day IL with a rotator cuff strain further dampens the already low level of enthusiasm.
Houston Astros
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
Cam Smith, 22, OF
One of the three short print rookies - hasn't set the world on fire but has held his own offensively while finding a perfect defensive home in right field. On the border between Tier 1 and Tier 2 until we see his power translate to home runs and he can handle breakers better.
Tier 3
None
Tier None
None
Kansas City Royals
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
None
Los Angeles Angels
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
Caden Dana, 21, P*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Angels doing Angels things and potentially ruining prospects by pushing them to the majors too soon - Dana has two reliable, above-average to plus pitches, but needs a third to reach his SP3+ upside.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Disaster of a season so far for Dana, but he's still just 2021 and has a ton of talent. Hopefully the Angels bad team context doesn't completely kill his potential.
Tier None
Bryce Teodosio, 23, OF
Org depth outfielder that is an aggressive hitter with speed to burn that is currently on the minor league IL for an unknown injury.
Gustavo Campero, 27, OF
Smaller stature org depth outfielder with decent speed and plate approach. Currently on the IL due to ankle inflammation as of writing.
Samuel Aldegheri, 23, P*
2024 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Low velocity, pitchability lefty that should find an innings eater role at the back of a rotation for a second division team like the Angels.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Not much difference in 2025 other than his results this season are even less inspiring than previous.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
Roki Sasaki, 23, P
A Tier 1 talent that's had pretty much everything go wrong, leading to a Tier 2 ranking until he can get healthy and figure out how to get MLB hitters out. An elite split finger can only work so well if nothing else is there to support it.
Tier 3
Edgardo Henriquez, 22, P
A two pitch, future high leverage reliever if he can figure out where his pitches are going. Strikeouts and weak contact but way too many walks.
Hyeseong Kim, 26, 2B/OF
Classic pesky speed and contact middle infielder/center fielder with international appeal on a collectible team. Results so far are ridiculously inflated, so don't get sucked in by the numbers.
Tier None
Ben Casparius, 26, P
Former starter excelling in a bullpen role, but the Dodgers injury issues leave the door open for a return to the rotation at some point. If he can keep doing what he's doing now, and stays in the pen, he should get more and more high leverage opportunities.
Miami Marlins
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Griffin Conine, 27, OF
Son of Mr. Marlin, Jeff Conine. Big raw power, hasn't shown it in game with some strikeout issues still looming. Most likely a fourth/fifth outfielder type. His season is already over as he had shoulder surgery back in April.
Javier Sanoja, 22, UTIL
Smaller stature (5’7”, 150) speed and defense guy who excels at putting the bat to the ball but doesn't provide much impact. Classic utility type archetypes, and on a second division team like the Marlins, he’s getting everyday reps.
Valente Bellozo, 25, P*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Back-end starter with low velocity that gives up a ton of fly balls but gets away with it in a pitcher friendly park.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
No change - still a back-end, org depth rotation arm that wouldn't be able to hold a spot on a first division roster.
Milwaukee Brewers
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Isaac Collins, 27, OF
Bench piece that can be a fourth/fifth outfielder type that can steal some bases, hit an occasional home run, and most importantly, won’t get himself out.
Minnesota Twins
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
DaShawn Keirsey Jr., 28, OF
Keirsey is that speedy, athletic fourth/fifth outfielder archetype that real baseball teams like to have sitting in Triple-A as an injury replacement when needed. Keirsey struggled mightily in 2025 and will need to show significant improvement to get another shot at the majors any time soon.
New York Mets
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
LuisAngel Acuña, 23, 2B*
2025 Topps Series 1 write-up:
Contact over power type of hitter that wants to run wild with his plus speed and can play anywhere that’s needed with a strong arm and a good glove.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
In 2025, with fairly regular playing time, Acuña has put up a 71 wRC+, hitting .246/.298/.292 with 11 stolen bases and zero home runs. Outside of his speed and defense, there hasn’t been much to be positive about in 2025.
Tier None
None
New York Yankees
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Duke Ellis, 27, OF
Speed only outfielder who has yet to show he can hit advanced pitching in the upper minors or in his small sample size MLB opportunity in 2024. At best, he's org depth, and can provide bench speed and late inning outfield defensive replacement value, especially when rosters expand in September.
Philadelphia Phillies
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Michael Mercado, 26, P*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Bullpen arm with an effortless delivery and strikeout stuff that can be negated by poor command.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Improvements to the walk rate have been balanced out by a lower K rate. Gives him a better chance for a regular MLB job, but may impact his ability to be used in high leverage.
Seth Johnson, 26, P
Transitioning to the pen due to high walk rates that weren't conducive to being a starter. I doubt we hear much from him until he gets the walk rates down.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
Nick Yorke, 23, 2B/OF*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Draft and prospect pedigree that has an above average to plus hit tool but nothing else of note coupled with defensive deficiencies.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Continuing to do Nick Yorke things in Triple-A that he has yet to show he can do in the majors - hit for average, have a more pop and speed than you'd expect. The question remains if he can do this against MLB pitching.
Tier None
Billy Cook, 26, 1B/OF*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Bench bat with good top line offensive results but some questionable hit tool and contact data.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Where has the power gone Billy? Without the pop, Cook may just end up as the dreaded Quad-A bat.
Mike Burrows, 25, P
Back-end rotation pitcher that doesn’t blow anyone out of the water, especially at the MLB level, but he’s a competent pitcher that succeeds by keeping the walks to a minimum and mixing his fastball and change-up combo to keep hitters off-balance.
San Diego Padres
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Brandon Lockridge, 28, OF
Bench outfielder/defensive replacement/short-side platoon bat/speed option for the Padres who's not getting any younger.
San Francisco Giants
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
Hayden Birdsong, 23, P
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Mid-rotation upside with bullpen risk that needs to find an effective fastball and stop giving up so many free passes.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Started the season in the pen but is now back in the rotation after pitching really well in relief. Concern remains that his fastball is still just average and that will continue to hold him back from an SP3 ceiling.
Tier None
Spencer Bivens, 30, P
Journeyman reliever finally makes it to the big leagues at 30 years old - fun story, but he's a middle reliever at best.
Trevor McDonald, 24, P
Fought health injuries throughout his career which has hindered his starting pitcher potential - more likely a swingman at this point until he can build innings.
Seattle Mariners
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Troy Taylor, 23, P
Reliever that the Mariners liked so much, they drafted him twice in back to back years. There could or even should be some high leverage opportunities in his future relief roles, but for the short term, it’s not going to happen without quite a few injuries in the Mariner’s pen.
St. Louis Cardinals
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
Thomas Saggese, 2B, 23*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Offense first, free-swinging second baseman with good contact skills that needs to be hidden defensively.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Nothing much has changed other than Saggese proving once again in a small sample size at the MLB level that he is a competent hitter, but the Cardinals can’t or won’t find a regular spot for him on their major league roster.
Tier None
Gordon Graceffo, 25, P
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Back-end SP innings eater that has to keep the ball in the zone as he’s lacking the swing and miss stuff to go outside the zone frequently.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
In the short term, St. Louis has shifted Graceffo to a bullpen role at the MLB level which is going to make it even tougher for him to climb out of the Tier None ranks.
Michael Helman, 29, OF
Org depth, versatile utility type that can play various positions in the infield and outfield with decent speed and a bit of pop but doesn’t really have anything more than average tools. He never played one MLB inning for the Cardinals and he's now in the Rangers org.
Tampa Bay Rays
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Logan Driscoll, 27, C
Good defensive skills, good pop that can punish mistakes, won't strike out often, but lacks the hit tool to survive against MLB pitching in an everyday role. A classic backup or some sort of split time catcher type.
Mason Montgomery, 24, P
A high leverage, high octane arm in the pen but he's not had the best results in 2025 so far with a bit too many walks given up.
Texas Rangers
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
Kumar Rocker, 25, P
Hopium - Rocker will be a future ace. Copium - Rocker will be a high leverage reliever. Reality - probably somewhere in between.
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Dustin Harris, 25, OF
Bench corner outfielder/first base/dh type on a first division team with some potential for everyday reps on a second division team. Used to be an interesting power/speed prospect, but the power has evaporated.
Walter Pennington, 27, P
Currently pitching for Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate. Pennington is a low velocity lefty coming out of the pen that survives by getting a massive amount of ground balls.
Toronto Blue Jays
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
Leo Jiménez, 24, 2B/SS
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Solid but unspectacular player with a strong plate approach and contact skills.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Blocked after the Andres Gimenez trade and an injury that has limited his playing time, there's not much change to the original Series 1 opinion on Jiménez.
Tier None
Adam Kloffenstein, 24, P*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Org depth swing-man at this point that we can safely ignore.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Nothing new besides the uniform, back in his original Blue Jays colors.
Brandon Eisert, 27, P
A reliever now on his third team in less than a year, and one of the worst teams in baseball at the moment no less, that lacks even average velocity is almost never going to be of interest to the Hobby.
Steward Berroa, 26, OF*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Backup outfielder with good defense and plus speed that looks to get on base via the walk or putting the ball in play and beating out the throw.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Only thing that's changed is the uniform in real life (Dodgers) but not on the card (still Blue Jays).
Will Wagner, 26, 2B/3B*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Plus hit tool but not much else besides the legacy player component with the risk of being a strong side platoon bat.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
The hit tool did not show up for Wagner to begin 2025, and that being the only thing that would keep him on the MLB roster, was not a great outcome. Currenlty toiling away in Triple-A.
Washington Nationals
Tier 1
None
Tier 2
None
Tier 3
None
Tier None
Darren Baker, 26, 2B*
2025 Topps Series 1 TLDR:
Son of Dusty, slap hitting speedster that is more org depth than MLB-caliber player.
2025 Topps Series 2 update:
Absolutely nothing new to say here. Not even a witty joke. I need to get back in the kitchen and start cooking up something, maybe try my hand at baking.
Zach Brzykcy, 25, P
Scrabble dream is a middle reliever that can mow down minor league hitters but has yet to find the same success against MLB hitters.
Credit to TJStats for many of the rate stats we quote throughout the article
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