2026 Factory Set

2026 Factory Set

For the 7th straight year, and 9th of the last 11, I went the factory set route for the Topps set.  I just don't have the time (or money) to try to build this thing purchasing individual packs.  Even if I did, I'm not sure I'd be able to find enough packs to buy to complete the set.  Not sure what that says about what Topps is trying to do, but more than a decade into this trend, it really feels more and more like a middle finger to not just set builders, but the set itself.

The set this year was once again 700 card, at least in theory.  Mine, for the 2nd year in a row, had 699 cards.  Card number 691, Joey Cantillo, was not included.  The sharpie is showing where it would be in the binder.  As mentioned, this is now two years in a row the set was missing a card.  I guess it's possible I misplaced it, but I sorted and sleeved this entire set in one sitting this year, on a clean table top in my dining room, with a clean floor below me.  I certainly didn't lose it.  I guess it's possible it stuck to another card, but I would have noticed if I was trying two sleeve to cards into one pocket.  This is on Topps.  Last year I submitted a report on their website.  I've yet to hear anything back.  I don't know if I'll bother this year.  Why waste the time when it's quicker just to drop a dollar on sportlots and have the card sent.

Topps did include 2 copies each of cards #697-700.  This wasn't advertised on the box.  The last few years the box has advertised that rookie variations would be included and they come in a cellophane pack.  These were just randomly mixed in with the other cards.  I almost suspect it may have been done in error.  Who knows.  These don't move the needle for me.  Either make them part of the set, or don't, I don't see the point of them otherwise.  

I like the set itself okay this year.  Far from the worst design of the last twenty years, but it's not in the running for my favorite either.  I noticed the photography in the first 350 cards tended to be much better as a whole.  Which gives the impression that they may be rushing to throw series 2 together.  I'd like to see Topps go back to a single series, even it meant delaying it's release by a few weeks.  My biggest complaints with this set, is there is too much shiny foil on the cards, and the city abbreviations in the upper left.  It just bugs me, especially since Topps went ahead and put "Athletics" on the Sacramento cards like a bunch of capitulating cowards.  Clearly they could have gone with full team names for everyone else.

I'm also annoyed by the lack of attention to the glamour numbers.  1, 50's, and 100's get star players but all the other zero's are just random.  It would take an intern less than an hour come up with a list of 70 deserving names to give the zero numbers to.  Topps just can't find the time, given how rushed they are to come up with 300 goofy insert sets and a million variations.

A fun part of going through the set, was finding Albuquerque Isotopes I was familiar with.  Here are some guys who spent some time in The Duke City this year:

I think this kid will end up spending the better part of the next decade as an every starter for someone, but the Rockies must not be convinced as he spent a lot of time in Albuquerque this year, including a couple of starts next to my seats in left field.

Chad had some nice moments with the Rockies in 2026, including a game winning hit where he drove in my favorite Isotope, Sterlin Thompson, but was in Albuquerque most of the year.  He set the franchise record for consecutive games reaching base safely before getting called up for some coffee.

Ritzy got hot at the end of the year for the Isotopes.  I'm not sure where he fits in going forward with the Rockies, and wouldn't be surprised if they move on from him before Spring Training.  He'll catch on somewhere though.  

Beck had a great rookie season for the Rockies in 2025, so it was a surprise to see him end up in Albuquerque again this year.  His bat was just ice cold all year in Denver and wasn't much better in Albuquerque.  He'll almost certainly be outrighted to the Isotopes and moved off of the 40 man before spring to make room for Charlie Condon.  The Rockies have a lot of problems, but good outfield prospects isn't one of them.

Finally, here is the Zac Veen.  Zac has been my daughter's favorite player for two years now.  She goes to school in Michigan, so I timed a visit this fall around the Rockies playing the Tigers while Zac was up in the bigs.  We got seats on the wall and made banner for Zac, which he saw and was nice enough to come over and sign for her, and give her a ball.  Zac was just named the Pacific Coast League MVP for 2026.  The first Isotope to win the award since Joc Pederson, back when we were still a Dodgers affiliate.