Welcome to Ripped — where we tear into the hobby’s biggest new releases and show you exactly what’s inside.
We pre-ordered three Hobby Boxes of 2025 Topps Update and finally found the time to crack them open. Back in our Wax Watch preview, we loved the dollar-per-card value and felt the rookie class was solid enough to call this product very rippable.
Let’s see if it holds up to our expectations.
Base
Since The Hobby Wire wasn’t up and running for Series 1 or 2, we’ll start with the design.
This is one of the sleeker Topps Flagship designs in recent years, and we’d love to see something in this vein for future sets. We’re big fans of the layered elements that let parts of the athlete break past traditional borders, though we think this effect was better utilized in Topps Basketball.
As always, Update is loaded with rookies — but collectors should remember that most of them are relievers who might’ve already thrown their last professional pitch.
On the chase front, Nick Kurtz stands alone at the top. Behind him, Cade Horton, Cam Smith, and Matt Shaw form a solid second tier — all worth a look if you believe they’ll grow off their rookie numbers.
There was something about these cards that felt a little flimsier than the two series before it. The cards felt lighter and more delicate overall. QC also seemed a step down — in three good-looking boxes, we still pulled more bent corners and frayed edges than we’d like to see.
Verdict: B- — Just one marquee rookie and shaky QC keep this from climbing higher.
Inserts
There’s a lot to like in the insert lineup. Black Gold remains a favorite, and the debut of Bleacher Reachers has a great retro feel. Mystical and Night Terrors both look sharp, though we wish Night Terrors had a foil element to really make it pop.
Topps also made an interesting call printing some of the more common inserts — 1990 and All-Star Game — on foil board. It works well for the ASG cards. The 1990s, though, end up looking a little cheap. Maybe this was meant to differentiate them from the endless 1990 checklist in Series 1 and 2, but there’s probably a better way to do that.
We enjoy pulling these about as much as “Stars of the MLB” — so, not much.
Verdict: A- — Strong overall, but a few bold choices missed the mark.
Parallels
Every parallel we pulled was in great condition. Great job Topps! And the gold-foil Bleacher Reachers we hit? Gorgeous. Might have to consider collecting that set.
With each new release, we’re liking Topps’ push toward uniform parallels across products. Seeing that flash of green and instantly knowing you’ve got a /99 is a great experience.
Verdict: A+ — Hard to ask for more.
Hit Consistency
We’re adding a new section to our Ripped Reviews: Hit Consistency. Product odds tell one story, but the actual distribution inside boxes can tell another.
Our Rip: 3x 2025 Topps Update Hobby Boxes (1/4 of a Case)
Box 1
Standard Silver Pack • 1x Golden Mirror • 1x Relic • 1x Auto • 2x Numbered Cards • 2x Unnumbered Parallels
Box 2
Standard Silver Pack • 1x Relic • 4x Numbered Cards • 2x Unnumbered Parallels
Box 3
Standard Silver Pack • 1x Numbered Auto • 1x Relic • 3x Numbered Cards • 2x Unnumbered Parallels
We definitely ran hot here — Box 1, in particular, was wild: Golden Mirror, relic, and auto in the same box. But we did notice one consistent pattern across all three:
Every box delivered seven total hits. Two unnumbered parallels, five that were numbered or better.
⚠️ WARNING
In all three of our boxes, the autos and relics were found in the lower half of the Hobby Box — making it easier for bad actors to pull the good stuff and sell the rest.
While we can’t speak for other formats, we recommend passing on loose Hobby packs on the secondary market.
Final Thoughts
Overall, 2025 Topps Update Baseball was an okay rip. We think it’s really hurt by the lack of meaningful rookies on the checklist (and Rookie Debuts rarely hold value compared to true rookies).
We don’t think it’s worth holding unopened wax long-term, but at under a dollar per card, this can still be a fun rip in both retail and hobby formats.
Hit Me!
Check out some of what we pulled below — and if you ripped any Update yourself, drop your best hits in the comments.
Disclaimer: The content in The Hobby Wire is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Commentary, analysis, and opinions on sports cards, rookies, and the hobby are not financial, investment, or professional advice. Collectors should always do their own research before buying, selling, or trading cards. Market values are volatile and can change rapidly—past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Unless specified, all pricing references are based on the Prizm/Refractor parallels of an athlete’s Chrome rookie card, with prices from alt.xyz & 130pt.com.
Any odds mentioned were derived from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Holy smokes, love those hits -- particularly the Topps Gold Matt Shaw RC! And an auto on the First Pitch card? Very cool! Well done -- also, I agree -- the '90s throwbacks should not be in foil. I hate it.